The TV landscape has never been more complicated but sports fans have also never had more options to watch their favorite team. In South Florida, Miami Heat fans can watch the 2024-25 season in several ways.
With all of the services available and the future of FanDuel Sports Network (the Heat’s broadcast partner) in question, let this serve as a guide for watching Heat games throughout the season.
How to watch Heat games with cable
Every team has games that are broadcast locally but that there are also some games that will be on national TV. Heat games will continue to be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network despite the channel’s parent company, Diamond Sports, filing for bankruptcy.
While the Florida Panthers are moving their games to over-the-air television, the Heat will remain with FanDuel Sports Network after Diamond Sports agreed to a global agreement with the NBA to continue carrying the broadcasts of several affiliated markets.
Local Broadcasts
Depending on your cable provider, here is where you can find FanDuel Sports Network.
Cable Provider | Channel # |
|---|---|
Comcast Xfinity | 402 |
Breezline | 838 |
Bluestream Fiber | 631 |
DirecTV | 653 |
U-Verse | 1722 |
Hotwire | 448 |
National Broadcasts
In addition to the local broadcasts, the Heat will have 13 games broadcast nationally on ESPN, TNT and NBA TV.
Heat’s National TV Schedule
Date of game | Opponent | Channel |
|---|---|---|
Nov. 2 | @ Washington | NBA TV |
Nov. 26 | vs Milwaukee | TNT |
Dec. 4 | vs Los Angeles Lakers | NBA TV |
Dec. 28 | @ Atlanta | NBA TV |
Jan. 6 | @ Sacramento | NBA TV |
Jan. 15 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
Jan. 23 | @ Milwaukee | TNT |
Feb. 23 | @ Milwaukee | ESPN |
Mar. 5 | @ Cleveland | ESPN |
Mar. 14 | vs Boston | NBA TV |
Mar. 17 | @ New York | ESPN |
Apr. 2 | @ Boston | ESPN |
Apr. 7 | vs Philadelphia | NBA TV |
How to watch Heat games without cable
ESPN+
A subscription to ESPN+ will provide access to the five Heat games broadcast on ESPN throughout the season. ESPN+ usually offers a seven-day free trial that requires payment information that will be used when the trial is completed.
FanDuel Sports Network
FanDuel Sports Network is the only way to get locally broadcast Heat games without cable. A subscription for Heat and Tampa Bay Rays games costs $19.99 per month or $189.99 for the year. Both options come with a seven-day free trial. Other options include a $29.99/month bundle for Heat, Rays, Miami Marlins and Florida Panthers (Panthers while available). Why are the Heat bundled with the Rays? As an obvious play to extract more money out of fans, of course.
If you’re only interested in watching the Heat, the best option might be the $124.99 flat rate for the season.
The FanDuel Sports Network app is far from perfect, but the app can be accessed on most smart TVs and platforms like Roku, Apple TV, etc., as well as on smartphones and desktop computers.
How to watch Heat games out of market
NBA League Pass
If you don’t live in South Florida, the best way to tap into Heat games is NBA League Pass.
Basic pricing for NBA League Pass starts at $14.99/month but specials are usually offered closer to the start of the season and during the playoff push. NBA League Pass also offers “Team Pass” for $13.99 month that provides access to only one team.
You can sign up for NBA League Pass here.
The NBA League Pass app can be added to most smart TVs and platforms like Roku and Apple TV, or accessed on smartphones and desktop computers. It can also be purchased through YouTube TV, where games can be viewed through that platform.
Heat Season Outlook and Roster Information
After a disappointing first-round exit, the Miami Heat will look to bounce back in the 2024-25 season with another extended playoff run.
Jimmy Butler is entering what could be a contract year while Bam Adebayo continues to cement himself as one of the NBA’s top centers after helping Team USA win Gold in the Paris Olympics.
While the Heat haven’t made many roster changes, they are banking on improved health and internal development from Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic and rookie Kel’el Ware, as well as an engaged Butler, to get out to a strong start this season.
The Heat’s 2024-25 preseason tips off Oct. 8 against the Charlotte Hornets. The regular-season opener is Oct. 23 vs the Orlando Magic.