Cleveland Cavaliers 2025 NBA schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games

The Cleveland Cavaliers enjoyed a fine regular season last time out. Without LeBron James on their roster for the first time in an eternity, they excelled to reach the playoffs. However, they crashed out in the second round for the second straight season.

A 15-0 start to the season saw them break records under new coach Kenny Atkinson. They clinched the first seed in the East division for the first time since 2016 with an impressive 64-18 record. After sweeping aside the Miami Heat in the first round, they met their match in the second round.

The eventual NBA finalists Indiana Pacers, upset the Cavaliers on their sensational run. It took only five games for them to bow out as the playoff disappointment endured.

The offseason ahead of the new campaign was all about boosting their roster for a deep playoff run. Lonzo Ball was acquired from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Isaac Okoro. Talks are ongoing to improve their shooting as well.

While the Cavs should comfortably make the playoffs again, their ability to stay healthy and use their roster well would determine their postseason run.

From preseason, regular season to the playoffs, here's a detailed guide to the broadcast options and how to watch, covering streaming services, over-the-air channels, and VPN options for the 2025-26 season.

Upcoming Cleveland Cavaliers Preseason

Getty Images

How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers NBA games in local markets

While each NBA team has a Regional Sports Network that carries its local games, some will also air on national television on channels like ABC, ESPN, NBA TV and NBC.

FanDuel Sports Network Ohio will be the new regional home of all the Cleveland Cavaliers games in the upcoming 2025/26 season. It is priced at $19.99 per month. A season pass is also available for $50.99, and a yearly pass sets you back by $189.99.

Cable providers such as Xfinity, DISH, and DIRECTV offer FDSN Ohio, as do streaming services such as DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo, both of which provide more options for catching NBA teams' regional sports networks (RSNs) than other providers (see the table below). If you live outside of the local market, you can catch games with a subscription to NBA League Pass.

Getty Images

How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers NBA games With An OTA Antenna

Hoping to catch Cleveland Cavaliers games for free? Unfortunately, ABC won't be airing any of the Cavaliers' matchups during the 2025 NBA season. However, for other teams, you can still watch ABC for free by setting up an over-the-air antenna.

To see which channels you can access, plug your zip code into the FCC’s Reception Map Tool.

The best part? No monthly fees! Once you’ve got the antenna set up, you can enjoy local broadcasts as long as the device keeps going strong.

If you’d rather stream Cleveland Cavaliers games, you can grab a free trial from a streaming service like Fubo or DirecTV Stream.

How to watch the 2025-26 Cleveland Cavaliers season without cable

Streaming services are rapidly becoming the primary method for fans to watch NBA games, thanks to a growing array of providers in the market.

There is a wide selection of streaming options available, ranging from those that offer specific broadcast packages, such as ESPN+, Fubo and YouTube TV, to more flexible choices like Sling TV and Hulu Live TV, which allow users to customise their channel selection. No cable or satellite TV subscription needed. Start watching with a free trial.

In the United States, basketball fans have access to four types of streaming platforms this season. There are four multi-channel services offering both national and regional games (Fubo, DirecTV, Hulu, YouTube TV), two dedicated solely to national broadcasts (Sling, Prime Video), multiple region-specific platforms (DTC platforms like MSG+, FanDuel+), and one service focused on out-of-market matchups (NBA League Pass). These categories represent the primary options for streaming basketball.

How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers NBA games on DirecTV Stream

• Suggested Plan: CHOICE
• Price: $108.99 plus RSN fees ($15)
• Free Trial: Yes, 5 Days
• Channels: FDSN Ohio, ABC, ESPN, NBC, NBA TV

DIRECTV STREAM boasts the widest range of Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), including FDSN Ohio, compared to other live TV streaming services. To access RSN livestreams, you'll need to subscribe to the DTV Stream Choice package or higher. The package starts with a five-day free trial and is priced at $108.99 per month, not including RSN fees, which add approximately $15 per month.

It has 91 channels as part of its service, including sports channels like TBS, USA Network, NBC, FS1, ESPN, ESPN2, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, NHL Network, and Fox Sports 2.

Watch Cleveland Cavaliers NBA games with DirecTV Stream

Start a 5-day free trial now!

With DIRECTV STREAM, you'll still encounter blackouts for out-of-market games. However, you can sidestep these restrictions by adding NBA League Pass to your subscription for as low as $14.99 per month. This combo allows you to catch every NBA game, combining League Pass access with the channels provided by DIRECTV STREAM.

Every DIRECTV STREAM subscriber enjoys unlimited storage on their Cloud DVR, allowing for extensive recording capabilities, and up to 20 users can stream simultaneously.

DIRECTV STREAM is compatible with a variety of devices for watching the Cleveland Cavaliers, including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhones/iPads, Android phones/tablets, Mac computers, Windows PCs, and smart TVs from brands like LG, Samsung, Sony, and VIZIO. However, it's worth noting that DIRECTV STREAM is not accessible on gaming consoles such as PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo.

🏷️💸SALE:- Choose $15 OFF each month for the first 2 months of Entertainment with Sports Pack or $20 OFF each month for the first 3 months of Choice or Ultimate

How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers NBA games on Fubo

• Suggested Plan: Pro
• Price: $79.99 plus RSN fees
• Free Trial: Yes, 7 Days
• Channels Included: FDSN Ohio, ABC, ESPN, NBA TV

To catch Cleveland Cavaliers games, you can tune in via FDSN Ohio, NBA TV and ESPN with their Pro package, priced at $94.99 per month. However, it's important to mention that TNT is not included in this lineup.

Fubo markets itself as a haven for sports enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy international soccer, NFL, MLB, NASCAR, and F1. After a free 7-day trial, subscribers can subscribe to Fubo for as low as $79.99 per month, gaining access to nearly 200 channels, as well as the ability to stream on up to 10 devices simultaneously.

Start a FuboTV subscription today

Find the best deals

You can also purchase the fuboTV Sports Plus package for an additional $11/mo. The add-on package includes access to NBA TV, which carries around 90 NBA regular-season games, which are subject to local blackout restrictions, as well as analysis shows and documentaries. NBA TV also has live out-of-market games and highlights.

Fubo’s lineup boasts 90 channels, offering a robust mix of sports options such as ESPN, USA Network, FS1, ESPN2, Fox Sports 2, ABC, NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, and NFL RedZone.

🏷️💸SALE:- Get Your First Month of Fubo for Only $64.99 (normally $95) after your Free Trial

Getty Images

How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers NBA games on Sling TV and Hulu+ (Not ideal)

Start a Sling TV subscription today

Find the best deals

You can watch Cleveland Cavaliers games on NBC, ESPN2, ESPN, NBA TV, and ESPN3 with Sling Orange's Sports Extra package, which costs $51 per month. However, Sling doesn’t offer Spectrum SportsNet.

Likewise, Hulu + Live TV doesn't include Spectrum SportsNet, but for $77 a month, you’ll have access to a broad range of live sports, TV series, movies, and other entertainment. You’ll also be able to catch Cavaliers games aired on ABC and ESPN. With perks like unlimited DVR storage and the ability to stream on two devices simultaneously, it’s an ideal option for households with diverse viewing preferences. Plus, Disney+ is bundled into the deal.

However, we don't recommend Hulu Live TV for the NBA. It does not offer NBA TV in its lineup, and you can’t access most regional sports networks.

How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers out-of-market NBA games

If you're looking to catch Cleveland Cavaliers games outside of your local market during the 2025 season, NBA League Pass offers the most comprehensive access. It features all games not blacked out nationally or locally, as well as the channel NBA TV.

For those seeking more features, NBA League Pass Premium includes everything from the standard pass, plus the ability to stream games live and on demand on up to three devices at once. You’ll also get exclusive access to the in-arena feed for any game of your choice.

The current cost for NBA League Passis $15 per month, while the Premium version is priced at $23 per month. Both subscriptions come with a seven-day free trial.

Watch the game live with an NBA League Pass

Sign up!

Nationally televised games are blacked out for all NBA League Pass subscribers. This applies to matchups aired on ABC, ESPN, NBC, and NBA TV in the U.S., as well as those broadcast on Sportsnet and TSN in Canada.

Due to this limitation, you won’t be able to stream any All-Star Weekend events, the NBA Play-In Tournament, or any NBA playoff games via this service. To watch those, you'll need to find alternative ways to access the channels broadcasting the game you're interested in.

You do get to listen to the local radio broadcasts for all live games through NBA League Pass, so if you are interested in a game that is blacked out to you, you are not completely shut out from following the action live.

Watch Cleveland Cavaliers Games With A VPN

For those living abroad or just outside of the TV market, another dependable way to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers is with a VPN.

Regardless of whether you use DirecTV Stream, Fubo (formerly FuboTV), or another streaming platform, you can supplement it with a VPN to watch out-of-market games. It enables you to alter your virtual location, letting you access games as though you're in a different state or even abroad (NBA League Pass is the ticket you need if you're overseas).

NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN service in 2025 when streaming live sports. You can even try NordVPN risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream live anywhere in the world with Nord VPN

Get NordVPN

Useful links

• How to watch live sports on DirecTV Stream
• The best streaming services for sports fans in 2025

• Fubo launch half price offer to mark the start of the 2025 NFL season