It Costs $788 to Watch Every NFL Game on Your TV Without Cable: A Complete Guide
If you're an NFL fan looking to cut the cord but don’t want to miss a single game, you're probably wondering: How much does it really cost to watch every NFL game without cable? The answer? $788.
While the price may seem steep, the truth is that following all the action from the comfort of your couch requires more than just a single streaming subscription. But fear not—this comprehensive guide will break down exactly how to watch every game and the different packages you'll need to ensure you don’t miss a single touchdown this season.
Table of Contents
- Why Watch the NFL Without Cable?
- How to Watch Every NFL Game: A Breakdown of Streaming Services
- Costs of Different NFL Streaming Packages
- NFL Sunday Ticket: Your All-Inclusive Package
- What You Get with NFL+
- Network Streaming Services and Their Importance
- How to Watch on Devices: Compatibility and Ease
- Hidden Costs and Extra Considerations
- Why $788 Is Worth It
- Final Thoughts: Is Cutting the Cord the Best Option for NFL Fans?
- Follow Us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok
Why Watch the NFL Without Cable?
There’s been a revolution in how we consume television, and sports are no exception. More fans are ditching traditional cable packages in favor of streaming services, largely for flexibility and to cut down on sky-high cable bills.
Here’s why watching the NFL without cable might be the right choice for you:
- Cost savings: Traditional cable packages can easily exceed $100 a month.
- On-the-go access: Streaming services offer the flexibility to watch on multiple devices, whether you're at home, traveling, or just at a friend's house.
- Customization: You can select exactly which services or packages best meet your needs rather than paying for channels you never watch.
- No contracts: Say goodbye to long-term contracts and cancellation fees.
Now that you're convinced streaming might be the better option, let’s dive into how you can watch every NFL game this season without cable.
How to Watch Every NFL Game: A Breakdown of Streaming Services
Watching every NFL game without cable requires a combination of services that broadcast games from different networks (CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network), regional markets, and out-of-market games.
Key Services You’ll Need:
- NFL Sunday Ticket: The go-to for out-of-market games.
- NFL+: For watching local games and primetime matchups on your mobile device.
- Live TV streaming services: These include Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV for in-market games and nationally televised games.
- Prime Video: Exclusive streaming rights for Thursday Night Football.
- Peacock, Paramount+, and ESPN+: Network-specific streaming options that give you access to NBC, CBS, and ESPN games.
Each service has its own strengths and weaknesses, but together, they provide the ultimate NFL viewing experience. Let’s break down what you get with each package.
Costs of Different NFL Streaming Packages
Watching every NFL game without cable isn't cheap. When you add up the costs of all the streaming services you need, it totals $788 per year. Here's how it breaks down:
NFL Sunday Ticket ($449 per season)
NFL Sunday Ticket is the only way to watch every out-of-market Sunday afternoon game. The service, now exclusively available via YouTube and YouTube TV, comes with two price points:
- YouTube TV Subscribers: $349 per season, or $389 with the RedZone Channel.
- Non-YouTube TV Subscribers: $449 per season, or $489 with RedZone.
NFL+ ($79.99 per year)
NFL+ allows you to stream live local and primetime games on your mobile devices. It’s perfect for watching games while you're on the move, but its restrictions to mobile streaming mean it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Streaming Services
Here’s a breakdown of the cost of services that stream nationally televised and in-market games:
- Hulu + Live TV: $69.99 per month (includes ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC).
- YouTube TV: $72.99 per month (includes ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC).
- FuboTV: $74.99 per month (includes ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC).
- Sling TV: $40-$55 per month depending on package (includes ESPN, FOX, NBC, but no CBS).
Amazon Prime Video ($139 per year or $14.99 per month)
Prime Video is home to Thursday Night Football. If you already have an Amazon Prime membership, you're all set. If not, it's $14.99 per month.
Paramount+ ($5.99 per month)
Paramount+ provides live streaming of your local CBS affiliate, which broadcasts Sunday AFC games.
Peacock Premium ($5.99 per month)
Peacock Premium offers live streaming of NBC’s Sunday Night Football, and it’s essential for fans who want access to those primetime games.
ESPN+ ($9.99 per month)
For Monday Night Football, ESPN+ is essential, as it offers select NFL games broadcast by ESPN.
NFL Sunday Ticket: Your All-Inclusive Package
NFL Sunday Ticket remains the premier option for watching out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. The exclusive package moved to YouTube in 2023, meaning you no longer need a DirecTV subscription.
What You Get:
- Access to all out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.
- Option to add the RedZone Channel, which gives you every scoring play across the league.
- Multiple viewing options: Watch on TVs, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices.
Why it’s essential: NFL Sunday Ticket is the only service that allows you to watch out-of-market games. If you're a fan of a team outside your local area, this is a must-have.
What You Get with NFL+
NFL+ is a newer service that allows you to stream live local and primetime games—but only on mobile devices. While it doesn't replace your traditional in-home TV experience, it's an excellent complement for those on the go.
Features of NFL+:
- Live local and primetime games on your phone or tablet.
- NFL RedZone and NFL Network live streams.
- Replays of all games available after they air.
Drawbacks: NFL+ is only available on mobile devices, so it won’t help if you want to watch games on your TV. However, it’s ideal for catching a game while you're commuting or away from home.
Network Streaming Services and Their Importance
To cover every NFL game, you’ll need access to games broadcast on CBS, NBC, FOX, and ESPN. Here’s how you can do that without cable:
- CBS (AFC games): Available via Paramount+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV.
- FOX (NFC games): Available via Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV (Blue package).
- NBC (Sunday Night Football): Available via Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Peacock Premium.
- ESPN (Monday Night Football): Available via Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV (Orange package), and ESPN+.
How to Watch on Devices: Compatibility and Ease
If you plan to watch on your TV, mobile device, or computer, it’s important to know which devices are supported by your streaming service of choice. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- NFL Sunday Ticket: Available on smart TVs, streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire), mobile devices, and web browsers.
- NFL+: Available only on mobile devices (phones and tablets).
- Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV: Supported on most smart TVs, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and mobile devices.
- Amazon Prime Video: Compatible with smart TVs, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and mobile devices.
Hidden Costs and Extra Considerations
Streaming may offer flexibility and customization, but there are a few hidden costs and factors to consider:
- Internet costs: Streaming requires a high-speed internet connection, which could add an extra $50-$100 to your monthly budget.
- Device costs: You may need to invest in a streaming device (e.g., Roku, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV) if your TV isn't smart or if it's incompatible with certain services.
- Regional blackouts: Even with all these services, you might still encounter blackouts for certain games due to licensing restrictions.
Why $788 Is Worth It
At first glance, $788 might seem like a steep price to pay for watching the NFL without cable. However, when you compare it to the cost of a premium cable package and factor in the added flexibility and convenience of streaming, it’s a worthwhile investment for diehard fans.
Here’s why:
- Complete coverage: You get access to every NFL game, regardless of where you live.
- Flexibility: Watch games at home, on your phone, or while traveling.
- Customization: Only pay for the services that matter to you, without all the fluff that comes with traditional cable.
Final Thoughts: Is Cutting the Cord the Best Option for NFL Fans?
If you're a devoted NFL fan who wants to watch every game, cutting the cord and relying on streaming services is an excellent option. The total cost of $788 might seem high at first, but when you break it down across multiple streaming services, it offers unbeatable flexibility and the chance to fully customize your viewing experience.
If you decide to take the plunge into streaming, make sure you choose the right combination of services that fit your needs—and enjoy the freedom of watching NFL games without the hassle of cable.
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