There are some new options to watch NFL Network without cable this season.
DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Vidgo, and YouTube TV all carry NFL Network in their channel lineups. Some live TV streaming services require an extra add-on bundle, but not all of them.
NFL Network broadcasts a variety of programming related to the National Football League. The network airs live games, pregame and postgame shows. It provides news and analysis of the NFL, and offers fantasy football content.
Football fans can also watch documentaries, and other original programming such as “A Football Life,” “NFL Gameday,” and “Good Morning Football.” In other words, NFL Network is crucial for football season. The network has been around since November 2003, and has adapted to the world of streaming TV.
You can jump down to the summary of how to watch NFL Network without cable, check out Frequently Asked Questions below, or read through all your options.
DIRECTV STREAM, fubo and YouTube TV are the three live streaming services that have NFL Network and offer a free trial.
How to Watch NFL Network Live
There are a number of quick and simple ways to live stream NFL Network on a Smart TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and even a smartphone.
Live TV streaming services are supported on a variety of Smart TVs, including LG, Sony, Samsung, and Vizio. Smart TVs running on Android TV or Google TV are supported as well.
To get complete game coverage during the NFL season, you will want other key networks, including ESPN, NFL RedZone, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.
Keep in mind that cord-cutters can use a TV antenna for local broadcast channels. That can get you most NFL games without cable or satellite TV service.
Here is a breakdown of all your options.
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is now offering NFL Network and NFL RedZone in their channel lineups as part of a multi-year deal with NFL Media.
NFL Network will be offered through the Choice package.
The Choice plan includes local broadcast channels such as ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. You get ACC Network (ACCN), CNN, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, and SEC Network.
Subscribers get more than 105 channels, unlimited Cloud DVR to record NFL games and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows. Subscribers can watch TV on unlimited screens within a household. The Choice plan costs $99.99 per month.
You can sign up for a free 5-day trial on any plan.
There are two other plans that have NFL Network.
The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including local channels, and more sports and entertainment channels. The Ultimate package is $109.99 per month.
The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as Max, Cinemax and Showtime. A subscription to Premier is $154.99 per month.
Subscribers can get three months of Max, Showtime, STARZ, Cinemax and MGM+ (formerly EPIX) for free before the monthly rates kick in.
There are no contracts. You can subscribe month to month and cancel whenever you want.
NFL RedZone will be available through a new DIRECTV Sports Pack for DIRECTV STREAM customers. The package was previously available only to DIRECTV satellite subscribers. Pricing for the new Sports Pack is not yet available.
DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Smart TVs running on Android TV and Google TV.
Sling TV
Sling TV carries NFL Network on the Blue plan.
A subscription to Sling Blue costs $40 per month and carries 41 channels, including FS1, TNT, FX, and A&E. Sling Blue subscribers get local ABC, NBC or FOX stations in select markets around the U.S.
Sling Blue subscribers can watch TV on three screens at once.
If you want ESPN in your channel lineup, you can combine Sling Orange with Sling Blue for $55 per month. But you will still need Sports Extra to add Network.
There are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV.
Sling TV can be a good option if you already use a TV antenna or have another way to get local channels that carry NFL games. Sling TV does have local ABC, NBC and FOX stations in a limited number of markets, but no CBS.
You can check the latest offer Sling TV is making to new and returning customers.
Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV has NFL Network in its entry-level channel lineup.
Hulu with Live TV has over 75 live TV channels, including NFL Network, FOX, NBC, CBS and ESPN.
Subscribers get more than just live TV channels to watch. You’ll also have full access to ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu’s on-demand library. ESPN+ had a number of Monday Night Football games last year, and streams “NFL Primetime” during the regular season.
You get unlimited Cloud DVR so you can record whatever you want. Hulu lets subscribers watch live TV on up to two screens at once.
Hulu with Live TV has apps for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV and just about every other streaming device out there.
You can live stream NFL Network through a Hulu Live TV subscription on your PC, XBox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. iPhones, iPads and Android devices can stream Hulu with Live TV too.
NFL RedZone is part of the Sports add-on bundle, which costs $9.99 per month. A subscription costs $69.99 per month.
You can subscribe month to month, or look over the channel lineup before deciding whether to sign up. There are no contracts and you can cancel whenever you want.
fubo
fubo (formerly fuboTV) has an option to watch NFL Network in the Pro, Elite and Premier packages.
The Pro bundle has 167 live TV channels, including ESPN and local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX stations. fubo includes regional sports channels, including Bally Sports, NESN and Marquee Sports Network.
On the entertainment front, fubo has AMC, A&E, BBC America, FX, TNT, National Geographic and Vice TV. fubo subscribers can activate TV Everywhere apps for 41 networks.
Subscribers can stream live TV on 10 screens at once.
fubo offers select sporting events in 4K for Elite and Premier subscribers. A subscription comes with 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR and fubo “lookback”, which has all games that aired within the last 72 hours.
fubo costs $74.99 per month. You can get a free 7-day trial and cancel online if you don’t like it. Fubo offers NFL RedZone through its Sports Plus package.
The Sports Plus bundle costs $10.99 per month and includes NFL RedZone, all four Stadium networks, Sports Illustrated TV, Golf TV English, Golf TV Spanish, PAC 12 Arizona, PAC 12 Bay Area, PAC 12 Los Angeles, PAC 12 Mountain, PAC 12 Oregon, PAC 12 Washington, FOX College Sports Atlantic, FOX College Sports Pacific, FNTSY, Fight Network and TyC Sports.
fubo works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, PCs, smartphones and Android TV devices like Google Chromecast with Google TV. You can subscribe on a month to month basis.
Vidgo
You can watch NFL Network when you subscribe to Vidgo.
The Vidgo Plus plan is $69.99 per month, and comes with 110 channels, including A&E, History, ESPN, and NFL Network. Subscribers get local FOX and ABC affiliates in some markets.
The Premium package adds 40 more TV channels including NFL RedZone, and costs $84.99 per month. The Ultimate plan has more than 200 TV channels. It adds 45 Spanish-language channels.
Vidgo does not carry CBS so you can’t get 100 percent of NFL coverage with the service. Subscribers can watch live TV on three screens at once.
Vidgo works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, PCs and iOS devices. There is a watch-party option if you are using the mobile app.
You can look over the channel lineup before deciding whether to sign up.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV subscribers can watch NFL Network in the base channel package.
The base plan has 128 channels, including ESPN, Big Ten Network, FS1, MLB Network, and NBA TV for $72.99 per month.
The base package has local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations along with ESPN and ESPN2.
The Sports Plus add-on channel bundle costs an additional $10.99 per month. Sports Plus carries NFL RedZone and 6 other channels.
YouTube TV now offers an option for NFL Sunday Ticket for $299 per season. With a Sunday Ticket subscription, you can add on NFL Network for $339 for the season.
Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR storage for recordings. You can watch live TV on up to three screens at once.
YouTube has apps for Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV devices, Android TV and Apple TV. There is Chromecast support and mobile iOS and Android. YouTube TV carries a free 7-day trial.
If you don’t want to pay for YouTube TV, you can get Sunday Ticket and NFL RedZone just as a standalone option through YouTube. The streaming package costs $439 per season.
How to Watch NFL Network Without Cable FAQs
These are questions football fans ask when searching for ways to stream NFL Network without a TV provider.
How much does NFL Network cost?
NFL Network through a live TV streaming service can cost between $40 and $99.99 per month. Sling TV’s Blue plan is the cheapest option at $40 per month. DIRECTV STREAM’s Choice package has NFL Network for $99.99 per month.
NFL Plus subscribers can watch NFL Network live or on-demand, but only on their smartphone, for $4.99 per month.
Can I watch NFL Network through NFL Plus on my phone?
Yes. You can watch NFL Network through the NFL app by subscribing to NFL Plus for $4.99 per month.
But keep in mind that you can only watch NFL Network on your smartphone, not on your TV. You can sign up for NFL Plus, and start watching through the NFL app on Android or iOS app stores.
You will need a more expensive live TV streaming service if you want to watch NFL Network on your TV.
How to get NFL Network on Smart TV
You can subscribe to DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Vidgo, or YouTube TV to stream NFL Network on a Smart TV. But plans, prices and channel lineups vary for each subscription.
What channel is NFL Network on DIRECTV?
NFL Network is offered on DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM through the Choice plan. DIRECTV satellite subscribers will find NFL Network on channel 212.
If you are subscribing to DIRECTV STREAM, the Choice plan costs $99.99 per month after a 5-day free trial. DIRECTV satellite customers pay $84.99 per month, and get a 2-year price guarantee.
Do you get NFL Network with NFL Plus?
Yes. NFL Plus streams NFL Network as part of a subscription. NFL Plus costs $4.99 per month and lets you watch live, local in-market games on mobile, not on TV. The Premium Plan is $9.99 per month, and lets you watch out-of-market games and all replays. The service offers a free 7-day trial.
Can you watch NFL Network on the NFL app?
Yes. You can subscribe to NFL Plus and watch NFL Network within the NFL app on Android and iOS devices. A subscription is $4.99 per month. But you can only watch NFL Network on your smartphone, not on your TV or elsewhere.
How to get NFL Network on Roku
Pick a live TV streaming service that carries NFL Network, and sign up online for a free trial or a subscription. You can look over plans for DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Vidgo, and YouTube TV. Once you pick a subscription download the app to your Roku and login with your username and password.
Is NFL Network on Amazon Prime Video?
NFL Network is not on Amazon Prime Video. But Amazon Prime members can watch Thursday Night Football as part of their annual subscription.
How to get Network on a Firestick
Amazon Fire TV users can subscribe to live streaming services like DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Vidgo and YouTube TV to watch NFL Network.
How to stream NFL Network
Sling TV with the Blue package is the cheapest option at $40 per month. You need to subscribe to the Sling Blue channel bundle.
But if you want ESPN in the mix, then you need to get Sling Orange and Sling Blue for $55 per month. NFL RedZone is within the Sports Extra bundle (which costs $11 per month) and adds 11 other sports channels.
You can check the latest offer Sling TV is making to new and returning customers. There is no contract or long term obligations.
Hulu Live TV bundles live cable and local channels, along with ad-supported versions of Disney+ and ESPN+ for $69.99 per month. You can subscribe month to month.
fubo has 100 percent coverage for NFL games this season. There’s ESPN, and local ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX stations. NFL Network is in the standard bundle. fuboTV has a free 7-day trial for new customers.The only streaming services with free trials that carry NFL Network are DIRECTV STREAM, fubo and YouTube TV.
For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.
Note: This article was published August 4, 2021, and has been updated.
Founder and Editor of The Cord Cutting Report. Before launching the site in 2016, he worked for more than two decades as a staff writer or correspondent for a number of daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. His enthusiasm for tech began with the Atari 2600. Follow @james_kimble
