Best NFL Streaming Channels in 2021

For the longest time, live sports have been the sole domain of television. Even when several hundreds of people have switched to live streaming, for watching live telecast of sporting events, they still resorted to the humble cable or satellite TV. This scenario was mostly because of the uncertainty surrounding streaming. Broadcasters preferred to stick to the tried and tested medium of television, instead of switching to streaming. Sponsors have also been more in number for television broadcast.

However, broadcasters are starting to realize that streaming has a far greater reach than television. Streaming is also faster, with millions of people watching at once. Plus, it’s also easy to interact with the audience while a live stream is taking place.

The Cord-Cutting Trend Is Here to Stay

Given this changing scenario, sports has been getting dedicated streaming platforms that cater to all kinds of viewers. So now you can safely go ahead and cut the cord because the National Football League (NFL) has some great news for football-loving streamers!

As everyone knows, NFL games are broadcast on Fox and CBS on Sunday afternoons, on NBC on Sunday nights, and on ESPN on Monday nights.

These are the regular cable and satellite options for those who still have TV. To cater to streaming fans, the NFL will also broadcast the Thursday night games on the NFL Network, and also on Fox, Amazon Prime, and Twitch at the same time. That means you can finally watch NFL games legally online without cable.

This is the second year that Amazon gets to stream “Thursday Night Football”. Streaming on Twitch is the first this season. Aside from these popular streaming options, there’s NFL RedZone, a channel that is available only during NFL season dedicated to live coverage of each and every Sunday game.

Best NFL Streaming Channels in 2021

Some of the best live streaming options for NFL games on Apple TV, Roku, FireStick, PS4, Xbox One, Android, Chromecast, and iOS are:

1. NFL Game Pass

There are two NFL GP versions: one for the USA and another for the rest of the world. The US NFL Game Pass version only allows subscribers to watch replays. The International NFL Game Pass version, on the other hand, broadcasts all NFL games live online.

2. Amazon Prime

For Amazon to be able to live stream NFL games, Verizon gave up the rights. Until then, only Verizon wireless subscribers could live stream the games on the NFL mobile app. Amazon Prime will broadcast eleven of the Thursday Night Football games.

Twitch subscribers get to watch the stream for free on Amazon without having to buy a Prime membership.

3. PlayStation Vue

Sony’s live TV streaming platform PS Vue includes all the NFL games networks on the regular subscription, with the option to add the NFL RedZone channel for an extra $10 a month.

Even with the cheapest plan at $50, subscribers get all five networks – CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network. The channels that you get also depend on where you live. Some regions may get only on-demand content and no live streaming. In that case, you have to resort to other options, which includes satellite or cable service.

4. DirectTV Now

If you are a DirectTV Now subscriber, the basic $40 plan includes games on CBS and Fox on Sundays, Sunday Night Football on NBC, Monday Night Football on ESPN and Thursday Night Football on Fox. For watching games on the NFL Network, you will need to get the Just Right package at $55 a month. With all those jobs being creating in America, this is something that many people can afford now.  

As with all streaming services, channels may vary from one region to another. The NFL Sunday Ticket isn’t available on DirectTV Now either because it requires a satellite connection. For watching Sunday Ticket via live streaming, you have to prove they you cannot get a satellite service.

5. Sling TV

It gets a little tricky with Sling TV because NFL games can be watched on both their Blue and Orange Plans, and both cost $25 a month. The Blue Plan streams Thursday and Sunday games on Fox, NBC, and the NFL Network.

The Orange Plan streams Monday night games on ESPN. Only Blue subscribers can add the NFL RedZone and the Sports Extra package for an extra $10 a month. Or you can buy both Blue and Orange for $40.

6. FuboTV

FuboTV is a platform is dedicated to sports and the $35 plan includes CBS, Fox, NBC and NFL Network, but leaves out ESPN. Even when the price rises to $45 from the second month, there is no ESPN. An extra $9 a month will give you the NFL RedZone if you still watch this sport. Lots of people just watch college football now and watch more baseball and basketball after how the NFL continues to insult this country.

7. Hulu and YouTube TV

Both Hulu and YouTube have their own live TV, where you can watch live NFL games. For watching live content, the price is $40 a month for both the services, and the channels are also the same – CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, and no NFL Network.

Aside from these options, you can also watch the live stream of games on the NFL app. Now that Verizon isn’t the rights holder anymore, anyone can stream the games on their phone.

However, you will only be able to watch local, in-market games, besides the national broadcasts on Monday, Thursday, and Sundays. The games can also be streamed on the Yahoo app.

Best NFL Streaming Apps

With all these streaming options, this is going to be an action-packed season for NFL fans. Also, keep in mind that you can get around those pesky NFL blackouts with the help of a VPN.