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How to watch the NFL Network
NFL Network logo on a tablet sitting on a desk Colin Kirk

How to watch the NFL Network

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This post was written in partnership with Hulu.

Professional football games air on a variety of channels throughout the season. In order to see every game available in your region, you’ll need FOX, NBC (or Peacock), CBS (or Paramount Plus), ESPN, ABC, NFL Network and Amazon Prime. Most of the games are on local basic channels, but there are a few exceptions. Amazon has exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football, and NFL Network also has a few exclusive games. 

Wondering how to watch NFL Network? It’s easy with streaming. Not only do most streaming plans include NFL Network, but they allow you to record games to watch (or rewatch) later, so you’ll never miss a minute of action.

What's new on NFL Network this week?

Leading up to Super Bowl LVIII, NFL Network has special programming lined up every day. Tune in to watch past Super Bowl games, practice sessions, player interviews, 13th Annual NFL Honors, and more leading up to the Big Game.

What is NFL Network?

NFL Network is the official network of the National Football League. The network shows content year-round, including the football off-season. During the off-season, you’ll find everything from previous season championship matchups to episodes of A Football Life

Which streaming services offer NFL Network?

Watching NFL Network has never been easier. Most popular streamers offer this channel either in the regular lineup or as a part of an available sports add-on. When you access NFL Network via streaming service, you can watch games on the go by adding an app to your phone or other mobile device/laptop.


How to watch NFL Network with Hulu + Live TV (Our preferred service)

  • Pricing begins at $76.99/mo
  • 95+ live TV channels
  • 3-day free trial

Hulu + Live TV only has a single plan, but NFL Network is included in the channel list. Along with live channels, Hulu + Live TV gives users access to the extensive Hulu on-demand library. The Sports Add-On for $9.99 per month also adds NFL Redzone to your lineup.

What sports offerings does Hulu + Live TV provide? 

In addition to offering the NFL Network, Hulu + Live TV has an impressive array of channels for NFL games and other sports. You can find ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC ESPN Network, CBS Sports Network, Golf Channel and FS1 in your guide. 

If you purchase the aforementioned Sports Add-on, you’ll get more than NFL Redzone. The extra also includes Fanduel Racing, Fanduel TV, Outdoor Channel and more. Every Hulu + Live TV subscription also comes with an ESPN Plus subscription that can be accessed by using your Hulu login credentials.


How to watch NFL Network with DIRECTV STREAM

  • Pricing begins at $79.99/mo
  • 75+ live TV channels
  • Free trial available

DIRECTV STREAM is the dish-free service from DIRECTV that offers a way to access the same channels, without an annual contract. NFL Network has not always been a part of the DIRECTV STREAM channel list, but recently the network was added back into the lineup. Customers who have the Choice Plan or above will now get NFL Network content, as well as those with the Sports Pack add-on for $14.99 per month. 

What sports offerings does DIRECTV STREAM provide? 

DIRECTV STREAM has a deal with Bally Sports and delivers more regional sports networks (RSN) than most competitors. You’ll find many other networks in the top three plans - Choice, Ultimate and Premier. These include FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV and NHL Network.


How to watch NFL Network with Fubo

  • Pricing begins at $79.99/mo
  • 161+ live TV channels
  • Free trial available

Fubo is a great option for those who want to maximize the number of sports channels available. NFL Network is a part of every Fubo plan - even the base (Pro) package. This means no add-on is necessary to access NFL Network games. 

What sports offerings does Fubo provide? 

Fubo carries Bally Sports and many other regional sports networks. As for national games and events, you’ll find everything from Golf Channel and MLB Network to FS1 and MLB Network. If you get the Fubo Extra ($7.99 per month), you’ll add additional sports content from channels like NBA TV and NHL Network.


How to watch NFL Network with Sling TV

  • Pricing begins at $40.00/mo
  • 31+ live TV channels
  • Free trial currently unavailable

Sling TV has three different plans, and NFL Network comes with two of them. The channel is available on the Blue and Orange & Blue plans. Many users prefer Sling TV to other streaming platforms because while the channel count is low, so is the price. There is also a Sports Extra for $11 per month that adds 14 channels to your plan.

What sports offerings does Sling TV provide? 

You’ll get the most sports from Sling TV if you choose the Orange & Blue plan with the Sports Extra. In addition to the NFL Network, you’ll also get NBA Network, NHL Network, ESPNU, FS2 and MLB Network. 

One place Sling TV falls short is a lack of local channels, making it hard to watch local NFL games in real-time. Sling does offer local channels in a very limited number of areas, giving those subscribers access to all games broadcast.


How to watch NFL Network with YouTube TV

  • Pricing begins at $72.99/mo
  • 100+ live TV channels
  • Free trial available

NFL Network is available on the only YouTube TV plan. This streamer is easy to sign up for if you have a YouTube or Google account already, and it has an impressive channel list for its price tag.

What sports offerings does YouTube TV provide? 

YouTube TV has more than 100 channels. This includes lots of networks that will appeal to sports fans, including NFL Network. Signing up for this platform also gives you access to ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, Golf Channel and NBA TV. You can also buy the Sports Plus Add-on for $10.99 and increase your channel count by 13. Networks on the add-on include NFL Red Zone, Billiard TV, Fight Network and FanDuel TV. 


How to watch NFL Network on the app

You can watch the NFL Network on the app if you have a subscription through a cable or streaming provider. For mobile devices, the app is available for iOS or Android phones and tablets. The app is also available on:

  • Android TV
  • Apple TV
  • Fire TV
  • Roku 
  • XBox

Is live sports streaming worth it? 

Learning how to stream NFL Network has a few distinct advantages. For one, you can watch a game when you’re away from home, including on a plane with Wi-Fi and at a friend’s house. You can often pay less for a streaming service than you’d pay for local cable. If you’re a serious off-season fan, consider a streamer that doesn’t require an add-on to get NFL Network. 


FAQ

Can you stream just NFL Network without a streaming service?

No. You will need a cable or streaming service to access NFL Network. You can use the NFL Network app instead of your streaming service to watch games and other NFL Network content. What streaming service has NFL Network? The channel is available on DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo, and YouTube TV. 

Can I watch NFL Network on Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime does not have NFL Network, but it does have exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football. If you want NFL Network, you’ll have to get a streaming subscription. 

What is the best way to stream the NFL Network for free?

You will need a cable or streaming service to access NFL Network games and shows. You can download any streaming app or the NFL Network app for free and use your paid subscription to watch from almost anywhere.