Tech
Hockey season is here: Heres how to watch every NHL game this season
ESPN Unlimited annual plan
(save $59.89)

HBO Max Standard annual plan
(save $33.89)

Sling TV Orange Season Pass
(save $30.95 )

ESPN Select (formerly ESPN+) annual plan
(save $23.89)

Another hockey season is upon us, which means it's time once again to figure out how to watch your favorite NHL team. And fair warning: it's not easy. We recently estimated that it would cost over $800 and 11 different streaming services to watch every NFL football game this season. The NHL streaming situation isn't that bad, but it's not great.
Every year, watching live sports get more and more difficult for those without cable (and even those with cable). But lucky for you, we've done some of the dirty work for you to make your life a little bit easier. Hockey season is stressful enough without having to figure out how to watch the next game.
Behold, the ultimate guide to watching every NHL game in the 2025-2026 season.
When does hockey season start?
The 2025-2026 NHL season opened on Oct. 7 with a triple header, including the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers raising their banner. The regular season runs through April 16, 2026, but thanks to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, there will be almost a month-long break in February. You can check out the full schedule on the official NHL website.
What channels are the NHL games on?
If you have cable or access to a cable login, live games will air on the ESPN/ESPN2/ABC family of networks, TNT/truTV/TBS family of networks, NHL Network, and regional sports networks throughout the season. If you don't have cable, you'll need a streaming service or two to catch live games (more on that below).
Check out the official schedule on NHL.com to find out which channel to tune into for specific games.
How can I watch NHL games without cable?
Here's where things get complicated. If you don't have cable access or a cable login, you'll need at least one streaming service to catch NHL games live. Let's start with the easy part: national broadcasts. Nationally broadcast games will either be on ESPN's family of networks, TNT's family of networks, NHL Network, or ESPN+ (now ESPN Select). Here's a breakdown of their streaming counterparts.
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ESPN+ Broadcasts: Stream with ESPN Select or Hulu
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TNT Broadcasts: Stream on HBO Max
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ESPN Broadcasts: Stream with ESPN Unlimited
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ABC Broadcasts: Stream with ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited
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NHL Network Broadcasts: no streaming counterpart
In-market games
As NHL fans know, national broadcasts only make up a small fraction of the full slate of games. Most games are broadcast locally on regional sports networks (RSNs). Many of these RSNs (but not all) offer their own streaming subscriptions, like FanDuel Sports Network or Gotham Sports. If you're unsure which RSN you need to watch your local team, the NHL actually does a great job of laying it all out on their website — you can also check out the FAQs below.
The most direct way to access these RSNs is through their individual subscription offers. Of course, because streaming sports is notoriously complicated, not every RSN has its own streaming counterpart. For these, you'll need a cable alternative like Fubo or DirecTV Stream, which cost a pretty penny.
Out-of-market games
If you're a fan of an out-of-market team, it's actually a bit easier to watch your team's games than it is if you're in-market (crazy, right?). ESPN Select (formerly ESPN+) streams practically all regional broadcasts for teams that aren't in your local market. For example, I live in Nashville, but I'm a Washington Capitals fan. I can watch all regional Capitals broadcasts on ESPN Select, but Nashville Predators broadcasts are blacked out. For national broadcasts, you'll still need access to ABC, ESPN, NHL Network, and TNT (see above streaming counterparts).
Which streaming services do I need to watch NHL games?
If you're a fan of your local team, your first order of business should be to figure out which regional sports network you need. If the RSN offers its own streaming subscription, this is your best bet for watching the most games. If it doesn't, you're going to need a cable alternative that offers RSN access — most likely Fubo or DirecTV Stream.
If you don't have cable access or a cable alternative, you'll need a couple streaming services for every game that's not regionally broadcast: HBO Max and ESPN. HBO Max will give you access to all TNT broadcasts, while ESPN will unlock access to ABC and ESPN broadcasts, as well as ESPN+ exclusive games.
The best streaming deals to watch NHL games
Just because sports require a ton of subscriptions doesn't mean you have to break the bank. We've found several streaming deals that can keep some extra money in your pocket this hockey season.
Best for ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+ games: Save 16% on the ESPN Unlimited yearly plan
ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service, launched this past summer, now offers access to the entire suite of ESPN networks and services to sports fans in one subscription. For the sake of hockey, you'll get to stream games from ESPN, ESPN on ABC, and ESPN+ (ESPN Select). It typically costs $29.99 per month, but if you commit to a full year, you'll save about 16% or nearly $60. Of course, you can watch a whole lot more than just NHL games, making the yearly plan worth it particularly for fans of multiple sports.
Best for TNT, TBS, and truTV games: Save 16% on the HBO Max Standard yearly plan
A Max Standard subscription includes the B/R Sports add-on, which includes access to the NHL on TNT games (and simulcast TBS and truTV games). It costs $16.99 per month, but if you opt for a yearly plan, that cost drops down to just $14.16 per month. You'll save 16% or $33.89 by paying for the full year up front.
The most games for the lowest price: Sling TV Orange Season Pass
Sling TV's Orange plan is your best bet to watch the most NHL national broadcasts in one place for the lowest price. The Orange plan includes access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, and TBS, plus 30 other channels. While that doesn't include ABC, most ABC NHL games are also available through ESPN3, so you'll be all set.
Sling subscriptions are a la carte, so you can add to and take away from your plan with no worries and cancel or pause your subscription at any time. The Orange plan costs $46 per month, but if you sign up for a Season Pass (5 months), you'll pay about $39.80 per month in one lump sum. It's not the biggest savings — about $31 — but it's the most bang for your buck.
Best for out-of-market games: Save 16% on the ESPN Select annual plan
As mentioned above, ESPN Select allows you to watch all out-of-market regional games all season long. It will also exclusively host 47 games this season. A monthly subscription will run you $11.99, but if you sign up for a year up front with the Select annual plan, it'll cost just $9.99 per month ($119.99/year). That's 16% or $23.89 in savings.
Note: ESPN+ is now ESPN Select. If you were formerly an ESPN+ subscriber, you'll automatically be switched to the ESPN Select plan.
Tech
NYT Strands hints, answers for April 24, 2026

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're rowdy.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Hullabaloo
The words are related to sound.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained
These words describe ruckus.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?
Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer today
Today's spangram is Lets Get Loud.
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NYT Strands word list for April 24
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Shout
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Holler
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Clamor
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Lets Get Loud
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Bellow
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Whoop
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Caterwaul
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Tech
Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 24, 2026

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a good drink.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:
Intoxicated.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is…
DRUNK
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Tech
FCC challenges gender identity themes on kids TV

The Federal Communications Commission is using the presence of "controversial gender identity issues" in children's television programming as a pretense for questioning how TV ratings are developed and enforced, according to a notice published Wednesday by the federal agency.
The notice generally assesses TV ratings, but specifically points out that these industry guidelines have rated shows featuring "transgender and gender non-binary programming" as appropriate for children. It argues that parents aren't provided this information, "thereby undermining the ability of parents to make informed choices for their families."
In the document, the FCC poses a series of open-ended questions about TV ratings development, including whether the board responsible for the guidelines is "sufficiently balanced" with viewpoints outside of the entertainment industry and if faith-based organizations should be represented in the body.
"What more could the board do to include family-oriented perspectives — which are not well represented in the media industry — in its ratings process?" the notice asks.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced the public notice on X, explaining that "parents have raised concerns with the industry's approach." He added that these parents believe "New York & Hollywood programmers" promote objectionable content in kids programming without disclosing that to parents. Carr didn't mention gender identity in his X post.
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TV parents guidelines can include both a rating as well as descriptors for content that includes crude language, sexual situations, and violence.
LGBTQ+ advocates criticized the public notice, arguing that it amounted to discrimination and censorship.
"Trump's FCC is trying to turn transgender people into a warning label," Tyler Hack, executive director of the transgender rights advocacy group Christopher Street Project, said in a statement. "It is dehumanizing, and it is part of a broader political strategy to stigmatize LGBTQ+ people in every corner of public life."
Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, described the notice as government overreach.
"Media companies must be allowed to create and broadcast stories that reflect one-quarter of their audience without interference from a government agency with its own anti-transgender political agenda," Ellis said in a statement.
This isn't the first time Carr has been accused of censorship. Carr has claimed broadcasters air "hoaxes" and "news distortions" that also happen to be unfavorable to President Trump. Carr has suggested the licenses of such broadcasters won't be renewed.
In March, dozens of free speech experts argued in an open letter to Carr that his threats against broadcasters are "unlawful jawboning" and his vague characterization of "fake news" violates the First Amendment. The authors called on Carr to "withdraw" his threats.
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