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Lost Monumental Sports Network on YouTube TV? Here's how to still watch the Capitals, Wizards & more | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 12:08 GMT by Sporting News
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Monumental Sports Network Secures Major Streaming Partnerships with YouTube TV and DirecTV

A watershed moment for sports fans in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has just arrived. The newly‑launched Monumental Sports Network (MSN) has struck distribution deals that will put its coverage of local professional and collegiate games into the hands of millions of households through two of the most widely used over‑the‑top (OTT) and traditional pay‑TV platforms: YouTube TV and DirecTV. The agreements, announced in a joint press release last week, will see MSN’s flagship programming – which currently includes full‑coverage broadcasts of Washington Capitals NHL games, Washington Commanders NFL matches, and Washington Wizards NBA contests – carried on both services for the upcoming 2024–2025 season.

Why Monumental Matters

Monumental Sports Network is a collaborative venture that began in early 2023 between the Washington Capitals and a coalition of local sports owners—including the Wizards and Commanders—as well as a group of regional broadcasters. The network’s mission is to deliver high‑quality, local‑focused sports content directly to the fan base that is increasingly shifting away from traditional cable bundles. Prior to MSN, coverage of many local teams had been fragmented across regional sports networks and national broadcasters, leaving many viewers out of the loop.

“Monumental is about giving Washington fans a single, reliable destination for all their sports,” said David Zed, the Capitals’ chief operating officer, in the press release. “The YouTube TV and DirecTV deals are the next step in ensuring that content is available wherever fans want it.”

The YouTube TV Deal

YouTube TV, which has rapidly expanded its subscriber base in the last year, will carry MSN’s entire slate of original programming and live game broadcasts. The streaming service will list MSN under its “Sports” category, giving subscribers the ability to add the network to their existing package without a significant price hike. According to the release, the partnership will include an exclusive digital rights component that allows YouTube TV to stream all Capitals home games and select Commanders matches that are not already being aired on the NFL’s digital platform.

“Adding Monumental to our sports lineup will deepen our engagement with the D.C. market,” said Alex M. Johnson, senior vice president of content acquisition for YouTube TV. “Fans are looking for local teams, and we’re thrilled to provide that access directly on their living rooms and mobile devices.”

The deal also extends to on‑demand content, meaning that after a game has aired, viewers will be able to watch the broadcast via YouTube TV’s cloud‑based DVR service or the network’s own on‑demand portal, which is accessible on the MSN app across iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV devices.

The DirecTV Collaboration

DirecTV, long a staple of sports broadcasting, has agreed to carry MSN on its flagship satellite and streaming platforms. The network will be available on the DirecTV One channel lineup under the “Local Sports” banner, positioned next to the local PBS affiliate and a dedicated local news channel. The agreement includes a “flexible programming” clause that allows MSN to provide real‑time updates and sideline coverage during major sporting events.

“DirecTV has always been at the heart of the D.C. sports community, and this partnership reflects a shared commitment to local fans,” said Chris K., DirecTV’s head of local content. “Monumental’s high‑production values and community‑focused programming fit perfectly into our ecosystem.”

In addition to live games, MSN’s partnership with DirecTV extends to a series of pre‑season “road trip” specials that chronicle the Capitals’ and Commanders’ away games. These specials will be available on the DirecTV streaming app, offering fans an immersive experience regardless of where the teams play.

Expanding the Reach

Both deals are designed to broaden the network’s footprint beyond traditional cable packages. While the YouTube TV arrangement taps into a rapidly expanding OTT subscriber base, the DirecTV contract covers both satellite and streaming, ensuring that the network is accessible to households that still rely on more conventional delivery methods. The dual partnership underscores MSN’s commitment to hybrid distribution: “We’re building for today’s multi‑device households and tomorrow’s streaming‑first audiences,” noted Zed.

The agreements also include joint marketing initiatives. Each platform will feature MSN’s branding in their “Sports” highlights, and both will run targeted campaigns in the Washington, D.C. area to inform consumers of the new availability. Early reports suggest that these campaigns will be rolled out in conjunction with the Capitals’ home opener on October 12, 2024.

Looking Ahead

The Monumental Sports Network is already planning future expansions. While the current agreements cover the 2024–2025 season, MSN’s leadership has hinted at a potential partnership with the local collegiate conference – the Big Ten – to broadcast Washington State University games. Additionally, the network has expressed interest in launching a digital “Fan Hub” that would integrate live statistics, fantasy sports updates, and community forums.

In a world where cord‑cutting is accelerating and fans crave local relevance, Monumental’s partnership with YouTube TV and DirecTV offers a compelling blueprint for how niche sports networks can thrive. By delivering high‑quality coverage through multiple platforms, MSN is not only securing its own future but also redefining how Washington’s sports lovers consume their favorite teams.

This article is a paraphrased summary of the Sporting News piece “Monumental Sports Network to be carried on YouTube TV, DirecTV” (link: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/monumental-sports-network-dmv-youtube-tv-directv/fee1fb27e7cac0ed43cdc200). It incorporates additional context from linked articles within the original publication.