How to Watch the 2024 NFC Championship

My rundown covers all five ways you can stream the 2024 NFC Championship on FOX. You can also use my favorite method — a TV antenna — to watch the Lions face off against the 49ers.

2024 NFC Championship
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The 2024 NFC Championship game will be available on five live TV streaming services. The game between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers airs Sunday at 6:40 p.m. ET on FOX.

You can watch the NFC Championship on DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. Your streaming choices go beyond just entry-level bundles. FOX is also included in packages such as DIRECTV STREAM Ultimate and Fubo Premier.

Cord-cutters can also watch the Lions face off against the 49ers for free using a TV antenna.

FOX does not have a standalone streaming service. Currently, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo and YouTube TV are the three streaming services that carry FOX and offer a free trial.

The NFC Championship game between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers is set to be a thrilling matchup. 

The Lions have roared through the season, displaying a remarkable transformation. Led by quarterback Jared Goff, the team has a formidable offense, with key players like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs making significant impacts. Their defense, once considered a weak link, has evolved into a unit that thrives on creating turnovers and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes. 

The 49ers have consistently demonstrated why they’re a powerhouse in the NFC. With a balanced offensive strategy, the team has Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy making waves on the field. Their defense, known for its physicality and discipline, features stars like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, making them a daunting matchup for any team. 

How to Watch the NFC Championship in 2024

A number of live TV streaming services carry channel packages that include local broadcast channels (NBCABC, and CBS) along with cable networks such as ESPN. These TV services are supported on Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV devices, Apple TV (iOS devices), Chromecast, and some compatible Smart TVs.

If you are planning on also watching the AFC Championship game and Super Bowl LVIII, then you may want a streaming service that also carries CBS.

Note: Sling TV carries FOX in select markets. (See below.)

DIRECTV STREAM

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Entertainment$79.99/month75+
Choice$108.99/month105+
Ultimate$119.99/month140+
Premier$164.99/month150+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia.

DIRECTV STREAM offers a variety of packages tailored for sports fans, and it’s a reliable way to watch the 49ers take on the Lions.

The Entertainment Plan, priced at $79.99 per month, includes over 75 TV channels featuring a mix of local broadcast channels like ABC and CBS, and popular cable networks such as ESPN, FS1, and TNT

For those seeking more options, DIRECTV STREAM also offers the Choice Plan and the Ultimate Plan. The Choice Plan broadens the channel lineup to more than 105 channels, including Big Ten Network, Travel Channel and MLB Network.

The Ultimate Plan broadens the number of sports and premium networks, including NHL Network, FXM (FX Movie Channel) and STARZ.

All DIRECTV STREAM subscribers can enjoy features like unlimited Cloud DVR, allowing them to record sports events and TV shows, and access over 40,000 on-demand titles. 

Sports fan can now add the 24-channel Sports Pack to any DIRECTV STREAM package. For $14.99 per month, you can get Big Ten network, NFL RedZone and NFL Network as part of the two dozen additional channels.

The service supports streaming on various devices including Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV, as well as smartphones and tablets, offering flexibility in how and where you watch.

New subscribers have the opportunity to explore the service with a 5-day free trial. 

Moreover, there are promotions such as three months of complimentary access to premium networks like Max, Showtime, STARZ, and Cinemax for new users, after which the standard subscription rates apply.

It’s worth noting that DIRECTV STREAM is a month-to-month service, giving you the freedom to start or stop your subscription at any time without long-term commitments.

Fubo

  • Free trial
  • 1,000 hours Cloud DVR
  • 10 simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Pro$79.99/month189
Elite $89.99/month255
Premier$99.99/month264 & Showtime
Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox One, along with Smart TVs by Hisense, Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast TV. Android, iPhones and iPads with current iOS.

Fubo (formerly fuboTV) carries local FOX channels in all of its channel packages.

The Pro plan has 189 channels, including ESPN, NBA TV, CNBC and key sports networks such as ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, FS1, and Golf Channel.

Fubo stands out as a service that aims to please sports fans with a robust lineup of regional sports networks from Bally Sports, NBC Sports and NESN.

HGTV, USA Network, beIN Sports, Food Network, HGTV, Comedy Central and Investigation Discovery are among the popular channels within the Pro plan. 

Subscribers get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR storage. You can watch live TV on 10 screens at once.

A subscription costs $79.99 per month. A regional sports fee is included, and costs between $11.99 to $14.99 per month.

The Elite plan is $89.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Ultimate plan has 231 channels, including Showtime and NFL RedZone, for $99.99 per month

Fubo has a library of on-demand content, including movies and TV shows. Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and Smart TVs all carry the Fubo app.

Fubo has mobile apps for iPhone and Android so you can watch ESPN live on your smartphone. Subscribers can watch live TV through their web browser.

Hulu + Live TV

  • Sign up & get Disney+ and ESPN+ included
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR (9 mos.)
  • Two simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Hulu + Live TV$76.99/month90+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV.

Hulu Live TV has coverage of local FOX stations across the U.S. The Live TV plan with Hulu includes ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, CBS Sports Network, NBC Sports Network, and the Big Ten Network. 

There are plenty of other live TV channels that you would find on cable TV as well. You can stream live TV on up to two screens at once.

A subscription costs $76.99 per month, and now includes Disney+ and ESPN+ with ads. Hulu with Live TV comes with unlimited Cloud DVR so you can record sports, news, movies or whatever else you want.

Hulu’s channel lineup also has local NBC, ABC and FOX stations across the U.S. You can look over the channel lineup to see what locals and regional sports networks are available for your area.

Sling TV

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Orange$40/month32
Blue$40/month41 (Locals included)
Orange + Blue$55/month88
Device support: AirTV Mini, Amazon Echo Show, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast along with Smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast.

Sling TV is an affordable option to live stream the NFC Championship, but only in a number of TV markets.

Sling TV Blue has more than 40 channels, including local FOX stations within its channel lineup in 18 TV markets, or “Designated Market Areas.”

If you live in or around one of these cities, then you should be able to get FOX and watch the NFC Championship using Sling Blue:

  1. Atlanta
  2. Austin
  3. Chicago
  4. Dallas/Fort Worth
  5. Detroit
  6. Gainesville
  7. Houston
  8. Los Angeles
  9. Milwaukee
  10. Minneapolis/St. Paul
  11. New York
  12. Orlando/Daytona/Melbourne
  13. Philadelphia
  14. Phoenix
  15. San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose
  16. Seattle
  17. Tampa/St. Petersburg
  18. Washington, DC

Sling Blue includes AMC, History, and NFL Network. The Sling on-demand library is included in each bundle.

The Sling Orange plan has ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, A&E, History and TNT for $40 per month. Sling Orange has about 31 channels total. Subscribers get 50 hours of Cloud DVR. With Sling Orange, you can watch live TV on one screen at a time.

Sling TV has apps for Roku, Fire TV, Xbox One and AirTV Player. Use your membership to activate the ESPN app.

When you sign up for Sling TV, there are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV. There is no obligation to keep your subscription.

YouTube TV

  • Free trial
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Three simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
YouTube TV$72.99/month128
Device support: Android TV, Google TV, Smart TVs by Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Hisense, Sharp and Sony; Chromecast, Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation and Google Nest Hub; Android and iOS devices.

YouTube TV is another option for watching the NFC Championship without a cable or satellite TV service.

A subscription to the Base plan costs $72.99 per month, and carries local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations across the U.S. The Base plan has 128 TV channels total. Subscribers get ESPN, ESPN2, NBA TV, NFL Network, TBS and TNT.

The YouTube Base plan lets you watch live TV on three screens at once. YouTube TV has apps on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Smart TVs powered by Android TV and Google TV.

How to Watch The 2024 NFC Championship for Free

There are advantages to owning your own TV antenna, especially during the NFL playoffs and divisional round games. 

Watching the NFC Championship for free on FOX is one of the great pleasures of free TV.

Using a TV antenna will actually give you a better picture than a cable subscription. Broadcasts from local towers – like your local FOX broadcast – are transmitting signals that are far less compressed HD quality.

You will notice quite a difference in picture quality once you set up your TV antenna and scan for channels. Once the series is over, you can keep watching those channels for free.

Here are a few guides to get you started with using your own TV antenna:

How to Watch the NFC Championship without cable FAQs

These are common questions from NFL fans looking for ways to watch the NFC Championship game without a TV provider.

Is the NFC Championship game in 4K?

Fubo will once again stream the 2024 NFC Championship game in upscaled 4K resolution. You need to sign up to a free trial for the Elite or Premier plan to get select channels in 4K.

Can I watch the NFC Championship on Roku?

Yes. You can use DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling, or YouTube TV to get FOX and watch the Detroit Lions vs the San Francisco 49ers.

How to watch the NFC Championship on a Smart TV

Smart TV owners can watch the NFC Championship game for free on FOX by using a TV antenna. You can also sign up for DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling, or YouTube TV. Each of these TV streaming service carries FOX.

How to watch NFC Championship on Apple TV

Apple TV owners can use a live TV streaming service to watch the NFC Championship on FOX. DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling, or YouTube TV all carry local FOX stations.

Is the NFC Championship on Amazon Prime?

No. The NFC Championship game is airing on the broadcast channel FOX.

FOX Corporation has the rights to broadcast and stream the NFC Championship.

Is the NFC Championship game on Peacock?

No. The 2024 NFC Championship game is on FOX. You can use a cable TV provider, live TV streaming service or TV antenna to watch FOX.

Methodology

I spend hundreds of hours throughout the year conducting hands-on testing of streaming services, including Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV. I do the same rigorous testing for TV antennas and TV-related hardware. Check out the review policy to see how I compare products and services.The Cord Cutting Report is a reader-supported publication, and may earn affiliate commissions when you pick a streaming service through a recommendation. Read our affiliate policy for more information.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.