NFL Network: Stream the Entire Football Season Live Online Cheaper Than Cable

I rely on NFL Network to stay connected to football. Through this channel, I watch live games, particularly during preseason, along with expert analysis and compelling documentaries. While I once needed a cable subscription to access NFL Network, today there are more ways to tune in.

In a hurry? If you just want to start watching NFL Network and don’t care about the details, these streaming services will serve you well:

How to Watch NFL Network Live Without Cable

NFL Network started as a cable TV channel back in 2003. It airs live games throughout the NFL (National Football League) season in addition to providing 24/7 coverage with player and game analysis, documentaries, and classic games.

It isn’t broadcast over the air, so you can’t get NFL Network with a TV antenna. Instead, you must get it from a third-party streaming provider. Today, NFL Network is available from all the major online live TV streaming services.

All you need is an internet connection, streaming device (like a TV or mobile phone), and a subscription to a streaming service that offers NFL Network. Once you sign up for the streaming service, you’re set to go.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

Streaming Services with NFL Network

As you plan for the upcoming NFL season, you are likely looking into the different ways on how to watch NFL Network online without cable. With so many different streaming services available, it shouldn’t be hard to find NFL Network and its slate of games this fall.

Fubo

Fubo (formerly FuboTV) is one of the top streaming services when it comes to sports. For just $79.99/month, you get NFL Network and the other NFL channels: CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC. 

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

The standard Fubo plan (Pro) comes with over 150 channels — 35+ of them sports-oriented in addition to all the network affiliates in most areas. It also comes with a generous unlimited cloud DVR storage and the ability to watch on up to ten devices/TVs at the same time. New subscribers get seven days to try it all out.

If you want NFL RedZone, Fubo offers it as part of its Sports Plus add-on. For $10.99/mo, you get NFL RedZone and 25 other additional sports channels including MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network.

For more information, see the following articles:

• Fubo Review
• Fubo Packages
• Fubo Local Channels
• Fubo Devices.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM’s base plan costs $86.99/month with 75+ channels including all the major local channels. But to watch NLF Network, you need to sign up for the Choice plan for $114.99/month. The Choice plan offers 100+ channels with Sports channels like ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox Sports, TNT, NBA TV, Golf Channel, Tennis Channel & more. It also includes the best selection of RSNs in the industry.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free Trial

If you upgrade to the Premier plan ($169.99/month), you will get all that including access to Max, SHOWTIME, and Starz. All plans offer unlimited hours of cloud DVR and watching on unlimited streaming devices at the same time.

• DIRECTV STREAM Review
• DIRECTV STREAM Packages
• DIRECTV STREAM Local Channels
• DIRECTV STREAM Devices.

Sling TV

The Sling Blue plan comes with NFL Network and 40+ other channels for just $45.99/month. Otherwise, it isn’t a great plan for live sports. It does, however, offer local affiliates of FOX, which airs two games each Sunday, and NBC, which airs Sunday Night Football. It also shows the entire NFL draft.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

You can also get ESPN, if you opt for the Orange + Blue plan for $60.99/month.

Sling TV provides the option of integrating an antenna with its streaming platform. If you sign-up for just two months in advance, they will send you an antenna for free. This should allow you to get all your local affiliates including CBS in one low-cost plan.

Sling TV comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage and you can use it with up to three devices at one time. Save 50% on your first month of Sling TV.

Or, check out our detailed articles on Sling TV:

• Sling TV Review
• Sling TV Packages
• Sling TV Local Channels
• Sling TV Devices
• Sling TV Preseason Guide
• Sling TV NFL Draft Guide.

Hulu + Live TV

Not long ago, Hulu was a disappointment for NFL fans. But since the start of the 2021 season, Hulu + Live TV offers NFL Network. This is part of its 85+ live TV streaming plan, which includes CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC — all the channels you need to watch the NFL live. And you get ESPN+ and Disney+.

Get Hulu + Live TV Free

Hulu is also offering NFL RedZone in the Sports add-on for $9.99/mo. It comes with a handful of other channels focusing on horse racing (TVG, TVG2), hunting (Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel), and motorsports (MAVTV).

Try the Hulu Live free 3-day trial. You can read more about Hulu in these articles:

• Hulu + Live TV Review
• Hulu + Live TV Packages
• Hulu + Live TV Local Channels.

Other Ways to Get NFL Network

There are other ways to watch your favorite teams on NFL Network:

• NFL App: You will need to sign-in with your streaming service login, but this allows you to watch NFL Network live. You can also live stream it at nfl.com.
• YouTube TV: A general streaming service with broad NFL coverage, including the NFL Network. It is also offering NFL Sunday Ticket as from 2023.

TVs and Devices to Watch NFL Network

All of the streaming services that we’ve highlighted support the vast majority of the devices currently in use.

All support the Samsung and LG smart TVs of the past few years. Fubo also supports the Hisense TVs. But all the services support smart TVs based on Android TV.

All the standard TV devices are supported: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku. And mobile devices based on Android and iOS (iPhone, iPad) are supported.

Finally, Fubo, Hulu, and Sling TV all support the Xbox One. Hulu also supports the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. And Sling TV supports the Oculus.

And finally, everyone supports the major web browsers. Devices that run such browsers can often be hooked up to TVs, too.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

2023 NFL Network Game Schedule

The NFL Network broadcast schedule for games is focused mostly on the preseason.

2023 Preseason

Regular Season

Our Choice

Fubo ended up being my favorite for watching NFL Network after checking out a bunch of streaming options. It’s got awesome streaming quality – no annoying buffering or glitches – and the DVR is a lifesaver if you can’t catch games live. The interface is simple to use, and it’s packed with channels beyond just football, so it’s great value. Plus, it works on pretty much any device, which is a huge plus. Other services didn’t feel as reliable or as easy to navigate. If you want a stress-free way to watch the NFL, Fubo’s the way to go.

FAQs

What live NFL games can I watch on the NFL Network?

NFL Network airs all preseason games, the playoffs, and the Super Bowl. It will air a handful of regular season games as well, but most of them will be on CBS, Fox, ABC, NBC, or ESPN. If regular season games are what you’re after, there are better options. See the 2023 NFL Network Game Schedule.

Can I watch the NFL Network for free?

The NFL Network is not available anywhere for free. Whether you pay for a cable subscription or subscribe to a streaming service, you will need to pay in order to access NFL Network. The good news is that the streaming services mentioned earlier do not charge extra for viewers to watch NFL Network. It is included in their basic packages.

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Frank Moraes

Frank was the Senior Content Editor at Hotdog.com and an expert in sports streaming, specializing in out-of-market games and regional sports networks.

A passionate cord-cutter and longtime subscriber to numerous streaming services, Frank has first-hand experience navigating the complexities of sports streaming.

With a PhD in Atmospheric Physics from the Oregon Graduate Institute and a professional background in early streaming technology, Frank combines deep technical insight with practical, real-world knowledge.

His mission at Hotdog.com was straightforward: help sports fans get hassle-free access to the games they love, at the best price, without frustration.

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