Note: This article will be updated once COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and schedules come out.
The oldest among the currently operational automobile races, the Indianapolis 500 is a highly anticipated event. During the Indianapolis 500, 30+ drivers race against each other to see who finishes the 500-mile, 200-lap race first.
NBC and NBC Sports Network air live broadcasts of the Indianapolis 500. But note that if you live in the Indianapolis area, local blackout restrictions may apply.
When is the 2020 Indianapolis 500?
The 2020 Indianapolis 500 is set to take place on May 24, though the date could change. Fans can also watch certain practices starting Tuesday, May 12 according to the current schedule.
Live TV streaming services for the Indianapolis 500
There are a few streaming providers that offer NBC and NBC Sports Network, giving you access to live coverage of the Indianapolis 500. You’ll be able to watch through the following services:
AT&T TV Now – AT&T TV Now offers both NBC and NBC Sports Network. You get both channels even with the most basic package — available for $65/mo. This service allows up to three simultaneous streams, which isn’t too far off from what other providers offer. And every AT&T TV Now package comes with 500 hours of cloud DVR recording time.
You even have the option to add premium channels like Cinemax, EPIX, HBO, Showtime, and Starz to customize your plan. In line with most streaming providers, AT&T TV Now extends a 7-day free trial.
fuboTV – fuboTV also carries NBC and NBC Sports Network. Its basic plan costs $54.99/mo. The service provides 2 simultaneous streams and 30 hours of cloud DVR storage with its entry-level package. You can increase your storage to 500 hours of recording time with the Cloud DVR Plus add-on for an extra $9.99/mo.
Although its primarily a sports streaming service, fuboTV also offers premium channels such as AMC Premiere and Showtime. And like most streaming services, it comes with a 7-day free trial.
Hulu + Live TV – A Hulu + Live TV subscription includes both NBC and NBC Sports Network. At $54.99/mo., this service costs the same as fuboTV. Hulu + Live TV enables streaming on up to two devices at the same time. Its basic live TV plan comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR recording time — the Enhanced Cloud DVR add-on gives you an extra 200 hours of storage for $9.99/mo.
You can also customize your Hulu + Live TV subscription with premium channels such as Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, and Starz. The service offers a 7-day free trial.
Sling TV – Among all the streaming services on the list, Sling TV is the most affordable option with Sling Blue and Sling Orange both priced at $30/mo. While Sling TV provides access to NBC and NBC Sports Network, coverage is only available in select markets. Make sure you check whether it offers those channels in your region before you decide to sign up for the service.
Sling Blue permits you to stream on up to 3 devices at a time, while Sling Orange only allows a single stream. The Orange + Blue package provides a total of four simultaneous streams. Sling TV only gives subscribers 10 hours of recording space, but you can purchase an extra 50 hours for $5/mo.
You can customize your Sling package with premium channel add-ons, such as EPIX and Starz. The service gives you a $10 discount on your first month of service.
YouTube TV – The second most affordable option on this list is YouTube TV, which offers both NBC and NBC Sports Network for $49.99/mo. The plan comes with unlimited cloud DVR storage, and you can keep recordings for nine months.
With your YouTube TV subscription, you can stream on up to 3 devices at once. The service also offers several premium channels, including EPIX, Showtime, and Starz. For sports fans, there are add-ons such as FOX Soccer Plus and NBA League Pass. The service gives new subscribers a free 7-day trial.
How to watch the Indianapolis 500 with an antenna
For those who don’t have access to these streaming services, there’s always the option to watch the 2020 Indianapolis 500 using an antenna. This picks up the channel that’s broadcasting the race you want to watch. You can then use a device like Tablo DVR or HDHomeRun to link your antenna to an Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku device.
Antenna Web has a list of channels that are available in your region.
The final cut
Racing fans have several options when it comes to streaming the Indianapolis 500. Various providers, including AT&T TV Now, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV, provide access to channels covering the event. All of these options feature live TV streams and offer cloud DVR storage. And all (except for Sling TV) offer a free seven-day trial.
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