The cheapest way to watch NFL Network without cable is NFL+. Technically, some individuals and households may be able to watch NFL games for free, depending on their location and access to local channels. However, for those wanting to maximize the NFL experience through a paid service, NFL+ is going to be the most affordable way.
There are two different NFL+ plans available, NFL+ and NFL+ Premium, and both include access to NFL Network. NFL+ costs $6.99 a month (or $49.99/season) while NFL+ Premium costs $14.99 a month (or $99.99/season).
$7-14/mo
- Out-of-market
- NFL Network
- Live game audio
- Live games (mobile)
In addition to NFL Network, all subscribers get access to live out-of-market preseason games and live game audio. While subscribers can also watch live local and primetime regular and postseason games through NFL+, these are only available on mobile devices, including phones and tablets.
A major difference between the two NFL+ tiers is that NFL+ Premium also includes access to NFL RedZone as well.
NFL Network vs RedZone
What’s the difference and which is best?
Live TV services With NFL Network
Live sports remains one of the main reasons to continue paying for a live TV subscription. At the same time, actually finding a live TV service that includes all the sports channels a home wants access to has become increasingly harder.
When it comes to NFL Network, that’s not an issue right now, with all of the most popular live TV streaming providers offering access to the channel. As to be expected, however, the price does vary greatly.
Below is an overview of the live TV service that offer access to NFL Network from cheapest to most expensive.
- Sling TV — from $40/month
- YouTube TV — from $73/month
- Hulu Live TV — from $77/month
- Fubo — from $80/month
- DirecTV Stream — from $109/month
Cheapest Live TV Plan With NFL Network
At $40 a month, Sling TV is currently the cheapest way to stream NFL Network without cable outside of NFL+. While Sling TV offers two base packages to choose from, NFL Network is only available through the Sling Blue plan.
$40-55/mo
- 30+ channels
- 1-3 streams
- 50-Hour DVR
Deal: First month starting at $15.
Sling Blue unlocks access to more than 40 live TV channels, including NFL Network, and is a good option overall for football. A subscription also provides the ability to stream on up to three devices at the same time and up to 50 hours of recording space.
While Sling Blue starts at $40 a month, subscribers in areas where ABC is also available through Sling will pay an additional $5 each month, taking the minimum total up to $45 a month.
If you also want access to Monday Night Football broadcasts on ESPN, it might be worth considering signing up to Sling’s combined Orange & Blue plan at $55 a month. As ESPN is only included with Sling Orange, bundling the two plans together is the best way to get NFL Network and ESPN through Sling TV. Even at $55 per month, the combined plan is still cheaper than many of the other live TV streaming services.
Sling also offers NFL RedZone through its Sports Extra add-on. Sports Extra costs an additional $11 a month when added to Sling Blue, and $15 a month when added to Sling Orange & Blue.
Other Live TV Plans With NFL Network
Even though Sling TV is the cheapest, it is not the only option for streaming NFL Network.
Unlike many other services, YouTube TV only offers one plan. Priced at $72.99 a month, the YouTube TV base package unlocks access more than 100 channels, including NFL Network.
One of the added benefits of going with YouTube TV route is that you can also subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket at a cheaper price than usual.
$73/mo
- 100+ channels
- 3 streams
- Unlimited DVR
Deal: $65/mo for first 4 months
Hulu Live TV is another service that might be worth considering, and especially as its base plan includes access to ESPN+ as well, unlocking additional NFL content at no extra cost. Hulu Live TV (with ESPN+ included) costs $76.99 a month although the price will increase to $82.99 in October.
NFL RedZone can also be added to the base plan through the optional $9.99/mo Sports Add-on.
$77/mo
- 95+ channels
- Basic Hulu
- Disney+
- ESPN+
Fubo tends to be a good option for sports in general, and is another way to watch NFL Network without cable. Fubo offers more than one plan to choose from, with the cheapest Pro package costing $79.99 a month and unlocking access to NFL Network.
It should be noted that some homes may end up paying an additional RSN fee. Depending on their location and the regional sports networks available in that area, the fee could be up to $16 a month.
$80-100/mo
- 195-270 channels
- 10 streams
- Unlimited DVR
Deal: Save $20 on first month.
Another option is DirecTV Stream. While previously unavailable through DirecTV Stream, NFL Network was added in June of 2023 following a new agreement with the NFL. DirecTV Stream offers more than one plan to choose from, and those wanting access to NFL Network will need to sign up to a minimum of Choice.
Priced at $108.99 a month, Choice unlocks access to more than 120 channels, including regional sports networks.
$80-165/mo
- 90-185 channels
- Unlimited streams
- Unlimited DVR
Deal: Save up to $60 on 3 months.
If considering signing up to the cheaper Entertainment plan, it is also possible to add NFL Network through the Sports Pack add-on. This $14.99 a month upgrade not only adds NFL Network but also NFL RedZone, as well as a variety of other sports channels.
NFL Network And TV Everywhere
TV Everywhere support allows subscribers to use their current account details to log in and watch through various channel apps and websites. Even though TV Everywhere support is not available for every service or for every channel, there are no major issues with NFL Network.
Regardless of whether signed up to DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV, subscribers are able to sign in to the NFL website or app using their account details. As this TV Everywhere support list includes Sling TV, those opting for the cheapest live TV service won’t be missing out on TV Everywhere support.
Once logged in to the NFL app or website with an authenticated subscription, the subscriber will be able to watch live games and a selection of on-demand content. TV Everywhere support can also come in handy when other members of the same household are watching live TV and using up the limited number of streams available with a live TV plan.
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