Look, being a Saints fan isn't just a hobby; it's basically a spiritual calling that requires a high tolerance for stress and a very specific set of TV subscriptions. If you've ever found yourself frantically refreshing a laggy stream while the Who Dat Nation is losing their minds on Twitter, you know the struggle is real. Navigating the modern NFL broadcast landscape is a nightmare. It’s no longer just about flipping to Channel 4 and grabbing a cold one. Now, you’ve got to juggle local blackouts, expensive Sunday Ticket tiers, and the ever-annoying realization that some games are exclusive to apps you didn't even know existed. Knowing how to watch New Orleans Saints games shouldn't require a degree in communications, but here we are.
The NFL is basically a giant puzzle of media rights. You have CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and now Amazon and Netflix getting in on the action. It's messy. Honestly, it feels like they’re trying to make it as hard as possible to just sit down and watch Alvin Kamara find a gap in the defense.
The Local vs. Out-of-Market Struggle
If you live in the 504 or anywhere near the Gulf South, life is relatively simple. Most Sunday afternoon games are going to be on your local FOX or CBS affiliate. In New Orleans, that’s usually WVUE-DT (FOX 8) or WWL-TV (CBS 4). You can literally buy a $20 digital antenna from a big-box store, stick it in your window, and watch for free. It’s the most "old school" way to do it, and frankly, it’s still the most reliable. No buffering. No three-minute delay that lets your neighbor’s cheering spoil the touchdown before you see it.
But what if you moved? Maybe you’re a member of the "Who Dat" diaspora living in Seattle or New York. That’s where things get pricey and annoying.
When you’re "out-of-market," the NFL thinks you want to watch whatever local team is nearby. You don't. You want the Saints. To get every Sunday afternoon game regardless of where you live, YouTube TV now holds the keys to the kingdom with NFL Sunday Ticket. It’s a massive investment. We’re talking hundreds of dollars a season. If you’re a die-hard, it’s basically a tax you pay for your sanity. However, keep in mind that Sunday Ticket only covers the afternoon games. It doesn't give you the primetime stuff.
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Navigating the Primetime Maze
Primetime is where the NFL has really fractured the fan base. Remember when everything was just on cable? Those days are gone.
If the Saints are playing on Monday Night Football, you need ESPN. Usually, that’s easy enough if you have a standard cable package or a service like FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV. But then there’s Thursday Night Football. Since 2022, Amazon Prime Video has held the exclusive rights to most of these. If you aren't an Amazon Prime member, you're out of luck unless you’re in the New Orleans local market, where federal law usually mandates the game be broadcast on a local over-the-air station.
Then we have the newest curveball: Netflix. The NFL recently signed a deal for Christmas Day games to be hosted on the streaming giant. This is the "subscription fatigue" everyone talks about. To see every snap, you basically need a spreadsheet and a very healthy credit card limit.
Streaming Services: A Breakdown of the Best Options
FuboTV is often cited by sports nerds as the best alternative to traditional cable. Why? Because it was built for sports. It carries FOX, CBS, NBC, and ESPN. More importantly for locals, it carries regional sports networks. If you want a "set it and forget it" option that feels like cable but runs through your smart TV, this is usually the winner.
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YouTube TV is the big dog now because of Sunday Ticket. It has a cleaner interface than Fubo, and the "multiview" feature is genuinely cool—you can watch four games at once, which is great for keeping an eye on the rest of the NFC South while the Saints are on.
Hulu + Live TV is a solid middle ground. The interface is a bit clunky compared to the others, but it bundles Disney+ and ESPN+, which adds some value if you have kids or watch a lot of college ball.
Peacock and Paramount+ are the "specific" ones. NBC games (Sunday Night Football) stream on Peacock. CBS games stream on Paramount+. If you’re trying to save money and only care about the games on those specific networks, you can sub for a month and then cancel. It's a bit of a "hacker" way to do it, but it works.
The Mobile Experience and NFL+
If you’re someone who watches games on your phone while at a kid’s birthday party (no judgment, we’ve all been there), NFL+ is the league’s own solution. It’s relatively cheap. But there’s a catch—a big one. You can only watch "local and primetime" games on mobile devices. You can’t cast them to your TV. It’s meant for the person on the go. The "Premium" tier of NFL+ is actually pretty great for film junkies because it gives you the All-22 camera angles and full game replays right after the whistle blows.
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Why the "Blackout" Still Exists
Blackout rules are the bane of every fan's existence. Basically, if a game isn't "sold out" (rare for the Saints) or if a local station has the exclusive rights, streaming services might "dark out" the feed in your area. This is why having a backup plan, like a cheap antenna or a different app, is essential.
There's also the "cross-flex" rule. In the past, AFC games were on CBS and NFC games (Saints) were on FOX. Now, the NFL can move games between the two networks to maximize ratings. You might wake up expecting to find the game on Channel 8 only to realize it's been moved to Channel 4. Always check the schedule on NewOrleansSaints.com or the official NFL app on Saturday night.
Don't Forget the Radio
Sometimes, the best way to "watch" the game is actually to listen to it. There is nothing like the legendary Mike Detillier and the radio crew. If you’re driving or just want that old-school vibe, WWL 870 AM/105.3 FM is the flagship. If you’re outside the New Orleans area, you can often stream the radio broadcast through the Audacy app, though NFL restrictions sometimes apply to live play-by-play.
Essential Checklist for Game Day
To ensure you never miss a kickoff, you need to verify your "stack" of services at least a week before the season starts. Technology fails. Apps need updates.
- Check the Local Schedule: See which games are on FOX vs. CBS.
- Audit Your Apps: Do you have an active Amazon Prime sub for Thursday games? Is your Netflix account active for the holidays?
- The Antenna Test: If you're local, plug in your antenna and run a "channel scan" now. Don't wait until 11:55 AM on Sunday.
- Internet Speed: If you're streaming in 4K, you need at least 25-50 Mbps of dedicated bandwidth. If the kids are gaming in the other room, your Saints stream will buffer.
Actionable Next Steps for Saints Fans
Stop overpaying for every single service if you don't have to. Here is exactly how to audit your setup:
- If you live in New Orleans: Buy a high-quality amplified digital antenna first. This covers 80% of your needs for free. Supplement this with an Amazon Prime subscription and you are almost entirely covered for the season.
- If you live outside Louisiana: Calculate the cost of NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. If it’s too steep, consider a combination of NFL+ (for replays and mobile viewing) and a VPN—though be aware that using a VPN to bypass regional restrictions often violates terms of service and can be hit-or-miss with high-end streaming apps.
- For the Primetime Junkie: Ensure you have access to a "Live TV" streamer like FuboTV or YouTube TV during the months of October and November, when the Saints usually hit their primetime stride. You can cancel these month-to-month; there’s no reason to pay for them in the off-season.
- Verify your hardware: Ensure your Roku, Fire Stick, or Smart TV is updated to the latest firmware. A simple restart on Sunday morning can prevent the dreaded "App Crash" during a crucial third-down conversion.