What you get with an NFL Network subscription
NFL Network is a cable and streaming channel owned by the National Football League that shows live games, analysis, and original programming year-round. You can watch it three ways: through a cable or satellite TV package that includes it, through a live TV streaming service that carries it, or through the NFL+ subscription app.
The channel itself is the same regardless of how you access it — the difference is in cost, what other channels come with it, and whether you get other NFL content bundled in. Cable packages typically include NFL Network as part of a sports tier or base package. Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV each carry NFL Network but charge different monthly rates and include different channel lineups. NFL+, the league's own app, does not include live NFL Network broadcasts but offers out-of-market preseason games, past seasons of regular games, and original shows.
Key Takeaways
- NFL Network is included in most cable and satellite TV packages, though the tier it sits in varies by provider.
- Live TV streaming services carry NFL Network for $55 to $80 per month, depending on the service and plan level.
- NFL+ is a separate subscription ($14 to $20 per month) that does not include live NFL Network but does include out-of-market preseason games and on-demand regular season replays.
- Which option costs least depends on what other channels you want and whether you already pay for internet or cable.
Cable and satellite TV packages
If you already subscribe to cable or satellite TV, NFL Network is usually included without an extra charge. Major providers like Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, AT&T U-verse, and DIRECTV all carry the channel. It typically appears in the sports tier or in the base package, though the exact channel number and tier varies by provider and region.
To find out whether your current package includes NFL Network, check your provider's channel guide online or call their customer service line. If it is not included, you can usually add a sports tier or upgrade your package to one that does. The cost of an upgrade varies widely — some providers charge $5 to $15 per month for a sports add-on, while others bundle it into a package that costs more overall.
The main advantage of cable or satellite is that you get NFL Network alongside dozens of other channels, and you can watch on any TV in your home without needing a separate app. The main drawback is that cable and satellite packages are typically more expensive than streaming alternatives, and you are locked into a contract.
Live TV streaming services
Live TV streaming services let you watch NFL Network without a cable contract. The major services that carry it are YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and Fubo. Each charges a different monthly rate and includes a different mix of channels.
| Service | Base Price (Monthly) | Channels Included | NFL Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $72 | 70+ channels including ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC | Yes |
| Hulu + Live TV | $77 | 90+ channels including ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC | Yes |
| Sling TV (Orange + Blue) | $55 | 50+ channels; ESPN on Orange, Fox/NBC on Blue | Yes (Orange plan) |
| Fubo | $80 | 150+ channels including sports focus | Yes |
Prices and channel lineups change frequently, so check each service's website for current details. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer the broadest channel selection and include ESPN, which matters if you watch college sports or other leagues. Sling TV is the cheapest option but requires you to choose between two base plans (Orange for ESPN and NFL Network, Blue for Fox and NBC) or pay extra to combine them. Fubo focuses heavily on sports and carries the most channels overall, but costs the most.
All of these services let you stream on phones, tablets, and computers, and most let you cast to a TV. They typically include a cloud DVR so you can record games and watch them later. Most offer a free trial period of a few days, so you can test the service before paying.
NFL+ subscription app
NFL+ is the National Football League's own streaming app, separate from NFL Network. It costs $14 per month or $120 per year for the standard plan, and $20 per month or $180 per year for the premium plan. The main difference is that the premium plan includes live regular season games on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday nights, while the standard plan does not.
Both plans include out-of-market preseason games, full replays of past regular season games, original shows and documentaries, and the NFL RedZone channel (which cuts between games to show scoring plays). You cannot watch live regular season games on the standard plan unless you are outside the United States, in which case all games are available.
NFL+ is useful if you want to watch preseason games or catch up on past seasons, but it is not a substitute for cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service if you want to watch regular season games live. The premium plan ($20 per month) does include live regular season games, but it is more expensive than some live TV streaming services and does not include other channels.
Comparing total cost
The cheapest option depends on what else you watch. If you only want NFL Network and nothing else, Sling TV's Orange plan at $55 per month is the lowest entry point among live TV services. If you want NFL Network plus ESPN and other major channels, YouTube TV at $72 per month is competitive with cable upgrades in many markets.
If you already pay for cable or satellite, adding NFL Network usually costs nothing or $5 to $15 per month, which is cheaper than any standalone service. If you want to watch regular season games live and also want other channels, the premium NFL+ plan ($20 per month) is cheaper than a live TV service only if you already have another way to watch other sports and news.
Factor in whether you use other features: cloud DVR (available on most live TV services but not NFL+), the ability to watch on multiple screens at once (varies by service), and whether you want to keep the service year-round or only during football season. Some people subscribe to a live TV service for September through February and cancel the rest of the year.
How to watch on different devices
NFL Network is available on most devices, but the method depends on how you subscribe. If you have cable or satellite TV, you can watch on your TV through the cable box, or on a phone or tablet through the provider's app (you usually need to sign in with your account credentials).
If you subscribe to a live TV streaming service, you can watch on a smart TV by downloading the service's app, on a phone or tablet through the same app, or on a computer through the service's website. Most services let you cast to a TV using Chromecast or AirPlay if your TV does not have the app built in.
If you subscribe to NFL+, you can watch through the NFL+ app on phones, tablets, and some smart TVs. You cannot watch through a web browser on a computer — the app is required.
Blackout rules and regional restrictions
NFL games on local broadcast channels (CBS, Fox, NBC) are subject to blackout rules in certain situations. If a game is not sold out 72 hours before kickoff, it may be blacked out in the local market on cable and streaming services. This means you cannot watch it on NFL Network or a live TV streaming service if you are in that region, even if you have a subscription.
Preseason games on NFL Network are not subject to blackout rules. Regular season games on NFL Network are also not blacked out, but if a game is also being broadcast on a local channel in your area, you may not be able to watch the NFL Network version in that market.
Out-of-market games (games not being broadcast locally) are always available on NFL+ and on live TV streaming services. The blackout rules are set by the NFL and explore the same way across all services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch live NFL games on NFL+ without paying extra?
Only on the premium plan ($20 per month), which includes live regular season games on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday nights. The standard plan ($14 per month) includes preseason games and replays of past games, but not live regular season broadcasts. If you are outside the United States, the standard plan includes all live games.
Does NFL Network show every NFL game?
No. NFL Network shows some regular season games, most preseason games, and analysis and original programming. Most regular season games air on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN instead. To watch all games, you need access to multiple channels, not just NFL Network.
Can I watch NFL Network without cable?
Yes. You can watch through a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or Fubo, or through the NFL+ premium plan. Live TV streaming services are the most direct alternative to cable and include NFL Network plus many other channels.
What happens to my NFL Network subscription if I cancel cable?
Your access to NFL Network ends when your cable service ends. If you want to keep watching, you need to switch to a live TV streaming service or the NFL+ premium plan before you cancel cable.
Is there a free way to watch NFL Network?
NFL Network itself requires a paid subscription through cable, satellite, a live TV streaming service, or NFL+. Some games that air on NFL Network are also broadcast on free channels like NBC or CBS, which you can watch with an antenna, but not all games are available that way.