What NFL RedZone is and who can watch it
NFL RedZone is a cable and streaming channel that shows live NFL games every Sunday during the regular season and playoffs. Instead of following one game from start to finish, RedZone cuts between games whenever a team enters the opponent's 20-yard line (the "red zone") or scores. You see the most dramatic moments from multiple games at once, with a host narrating what's happening across the league.
RedZone is available through three routes: as a cable add-on channel, as part of a live TV streaming bundle, or as a standalone streaming purchase through the NFL's own platform. Which one you can use depends on what you already subscribe to and whether you want to watch other channels or just RedZone.
Key Takeaways
- NFL RedZone shows highlights and key moments from all Sunday games simultaneously, not full games from start to finish.
- You can watch through cable (if your provider carries it), live TV streaming services like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, or the NFL+ Premium streaming tier.
- Cable and streaming bundle prices vary by provider; standalone RedZone through NFL+ costs the same as the full NFL+ Premium subscription.
- RedZone does not show Thursday Night Football, Monday Night Football, or Sunday Night Football — those air on their regular networks.
- The channel runs only during the NFL regular season and playoffs, roughly September through early February.
RedZone through cable and live TV streaming services
If you have a cable subscription, RedZone may already be included or available as an add-on. The cost and availability depend on your cable provider — some include it in standard packages, others charge $10 to $15 per month as an optional channel. Contact your provider directly to find out whether they carry it and what it would cost you.
Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV also carry RedZone, but again the cost and inclusion varies. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV typically include it in their base packages (which run $75 to $85 per month), while Sling TV may require an add-on. Check the current channel lineup on each service's website before signing up, since these change.
NFL+ Premium and standalone RedZone streaming
The NFL operates its own streaming service called NFL+, which has two tiers. The basic tier ($7 per month or $80 per year) includes out-of-market games and NFL Network. The NFL+ Premium tier ($15 per month or $160 per year) adds RedZone, full game replays, and the ability to watch games on multiple devices at once.
There is no way to buy RedZone alone through NFL+ — you must pay for the Premium tier to access it. If you only want RedZone and nothing else from the NFL, this is the most direct route, but the cost is the same as the full Premium subscription.
NFL+ Premium also requires you to be in the United States and to sign in with a valid payment method. Games are available to stream on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs through the NFL app or the NFL.com website.
What RedZone does and does not show
RedZone shows live action from all Sunday afternoon games during the regular season and playoffs. The host switches between games in real time, focusing on plays in the red zone, touchdowns, field goals, turnovers, and other key moments. You see highlights from four, five, or sometimes more games happening at the same time.
RedZone does not show Thursday Night Football, Monday Night Football, or Sunday Night Football. Those games air on their regular networks (Amazon Prime Video, ESPN, and NBC respectively) and are not part of RedZone's broadcast. If you want to watch all NFL games, you need RedZone plus subscriptions to those other services.
RedZone also does not show preseason games or the Pro Bowl. It runs only during the regular season (September through December) and the playoffs (January and early February).
Comparing cost across different ways to watch
| How to Watch | Typical Cost | What Else You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Cable add-on | $10–$15/month (varies by provider) | Depends on your cable package |
| YouTube TV | $75–$85/month | 100+ channels including sports, news, entertainment |
| Hulu + Live TV | $75–$85/month | 100+ channels plus Hulu on-demand library |
| Sling TV (with RedZone add-on) | $40–$55/month + add-on cost | 40–50 channels depending on package |
| NFL+ Premium | $15/month or $160/year | RedZone, out-of-market games, full replays, NFL Network |
The cheapest option is usually cable if your provider includes RedZone in a lower-tier package, or Sling TV if you only want a few channels. If you already pay for YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV for other reasons, RedZone is included at no extra cost. If you want RedZone alone and nothing else, NFL+ Premium is the only standalone option.
Blackout rules and regional restrictions
NFL games are subject to blackout rules that vary by broadcast type. Local games on Sunday afternoon are blacked out in their home market on NFL+ (you cannot stream them in the team's region), but they air on local TV for free. Out-of-market games are available to stream on NFL+ Premium without restriction.
RedZone itself is not subject to blackout rules — you can watch it from anywhere in the United States. However, if RedZone cuts to a local game that is blacked out in your region, you will see a message instead of the live feed. This happens rarely because RedZone focuses on out-of-market action, but it is possible.
Cable and live TV streaming services do not have blackout restrictions on RedZone — you see the full broadcast regardless of where you live.
When RedZone is available and how to find it
RedZone runs only during the NFL regular season and playoffs. The regular season runs from early September through late December. The playoffs run from mid-January through early February. During the offseason (March through August), RedZone does not broadcast.
On game days, RedZone typically starts at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday and runs until the last game ends, usually around 8 p.m. If you have cable or a live TV streaming service, find RedZone in your channel guide or search for it by name. If you use NFL+ Premium, open the NFL app or go to NFL.com, sign in, and select RedZone from the menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch RedZone on my smart TV?
Yes, if you have cable or a live TV streaming service, RedZone appears in your TV guide. If you use NFL+ Premium, the NFL app is available on most smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV). Check your TV's app store to see if the NFL app is available for your model.
Does RedZone show the full game or just highlights?
RedZone shows live action, not pre-recorded highlights. The host cuts between games in real time, so you see plays as they happen. You do not see every play of every game — only the most important moments from all games at once.
What if I want to watch a specific team's full game?
RedZone is not the right tool for that. Use your team's local broadcast (free on TV if you live in their market), or stream the full game through NFL+ Premium (out-of-market games), ESPN+, or your cable provider's app.
Do I need a cable subscription to watch RedZone?
No. You can watch through a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, or through NFL+ Premium. Cable is one option, not a requirement.
Is RedZone available during the playoffs?
Yes, RedZone broadcasts during the wild-card round, divisional round, and conference championships. It does not show the Super Bowl, which airs on CBS, NBC, or Fox depending on the year.