Look, the days of being tethered to a bloated Comcast or Spectrum contract just to see Rich Eisen and the gang are dead. Gone. If you're trying to figure out how to get NFL Network without cable, you've probably realized that the "cord-cutting" world has become its own kind of mess. There are too many apps. Prices keep creeping up. It’s annoying. But the good news is that you actually have more ways to watch 24/7 football coverage now than back when we were all renting those clunky silver DVR boxes.
NFL Network is a specific beast. Unlike your local FOX or CBS stations, you can't just stick a $20 antenna on your window and hope for the best. It’s a "cable" channel by trade, meaning you need a digital handshake—a login—to get through the gate.
Honestly, the "best" way depends entirely on if you just want the news or if you're trying to catch those exclusive international games.
The Big Live TV Streamers (The Easiest Switch)
The most direct replacement for a cable box is a Live TV streaming service. You sign up, download the app on your Roku or Apple TV, and boom—channel surfing is back.
Fubo is usually the first name that pops up for sports junkies. Why? Because they basically built their entire brand on it. NFL Network is included in their "Pro" base package. You don't have to hunt for a "sports add-on" just to get the basic network. If you want the RedZone Channel—which, let's be real, is the only way to spend a Sunday—you'll have to grab the "Sports Plus" add-on. It’s a bit of a price jump, but you get about 20 other niche sports channels with it.
Then you have Hulu + Live TV. It’s a powerhouse because you get Disney+ and ESPN+ bundled in. For a long time, Hulu didn't have NFL Network. They finally added it a few years back to the delight of everyone who didn't want to switch apps. It's solid, reliable, but the interface can be a little clunky when you’re trying to find a live broadcast in a hurry.
YouTube TV is arguably the king of this space right now, especially since they took over NFL Sunday Ticket. They carry NFL Network in the base plan. The DVR is unlimited, which is huge if you work Sundays and need to record every single Good Morning Football episode.
The Budget Move: Sling TV
If you look at the prices for Fubo or YouTube TV and feel a bit of soul-crushing sticker shock, I get it. They're getting expensive. That’s where Sling TV comes in.
✨ Don't miss: Carolina Panthers vs Philadelphia Eagles Score: What Really Happened at the Linc
To get NFL Network, you need the Sling Blue package. Don't get Orange. Orange is for ESPN. Blue is for NFL Network and Fox/NBC (in certain markets). If you want the whole gridiron experience, you usually have to get the "Orange & Blue" combo, which is still cheaper than the big guys.
The catch? No local CBS. This is a dealbreaker for some. If you go the Sling route, you basically have to buy a separate digital antenna to get your local Sunday afternoon games on CBS, or subscribe to Paramount+. It’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, but it saves you about $30 a month.
NFL+ is the Wildcard
A few years ago, the league got smart. They launched NFL+. This is their own internal streaming service, and it changed the math for a lot of fans.
There are two tiers. The basic tier gives you NFL Network—live—on your phone, tablet, or TV. It’s surprisingly cheap. If you go for the "Premium" version, you get RedZone and full game replays.
There's a massive "but" here. Local games and primetime games (like Monday Night Football) are only for mobile devices. You can't cast the live local game to your 65-inch OLED. It’s restricted. However, the 24/7 NFL Network feed is available on your TV app. If you just want the studio shows, the scouting reports, and the draft coverage, NFL+ is the cheapest way to do it, hands down.
📖 Related: Starting QB Chicago Bears: Why Caleb Williams Is Finally The Real Deal
What Most People Get Wrong About RedZone
I hear this all the time: "I have NFL Network, so why can't I see Scott Hanson?"
NFL Network and NFL RedZone are two different channels. It’s a common point of confusion. NFL Network is the 24/7 news, talk, and occasional exclusive game channel. RedZone is the "seven hours of commercial-free football" masterpiece that only airs on Sundays.
In almost every case—except for NFL+ Premium—RedZone is an extra fee. Don't sign up for a service thinking you've got it just because you see the NFL logo. Check the "Sports Tier" or "Add-on" section.
The International Game Factor
If you’re a fan of the London or Munich games, you need NFL Network. The league usually keeps those games exclusive to their own network.
If you try to rely on a "skinny" bundle that doesn't include it, you're going to be staring at a blank screen at 9:30 AM on a Sunday morning while your friends are texting you about a crazy play in London.
Why You Should Avoid "Free" Streams
We’ve all seen the sketchy links on Reddit or X. Don't do it. Aside from the fact that they're technically illegal, they are a nightmare for your hardware. These sites are loaded with malware, the lag is usually three minutes behind real-time, and they inevitably crash right as a team hits the red zone.
Plus, the resolution is usually garbage. If you've spent money on a nice 4K TV, watching a pixelated, stuttering stream from a server in a basement overseas is a miserable experience.
The Technical Setup: What You Need
You don't need much. If you have a smart TV (LG, Samsung, Sony), the apps for YouTube TV, Fubo, or NFL+ are likely already in your app store.
If you have an older TV, get a Chromecast with Google TV or a Roku Streaming Stick 4K. They're cheap, usually under $50. They handle the high-bitrate streams of live sports much better than the built-in processors on older smart TVs.
Comparing the Costs (The Real Talk)
Let's look at the actual monthly damage:
- NFL+: Around $7/month (Base) to $15/month (Premium). Cheapest, but limited live game access on big screens.
- Sling Blue: Around $40-$45/month. Good middle ground, but missing key local channels.
- YouTube TV / Fubo / Hulu: Between $75 and $85/month. The "it just works" option.
It’s not "cheap" like Netflix, but it’s still significantly less than the $150-$200 cable bills that come with regional sports fees and "broadcast TV" surcharges.
Making the Final Call
If you're a die-hard who wants every single piece of content, YouTube TV + the Sports Plus add-on is the gold standard. It’s the closest thing to the old cable experience without the contract.
If you're on a budget and don't mind a little "app switching," get Sling Blue and a digital antenna. You’ll save enough money over a season to buy a couple of new jerseys.
If you mostly watch on your iPad or you only care about the talk shows, NFL+ is the winner.
Your Immediate Action Plan
- Check your current internet speed. You need at least 25 Mbps for a stable 4K or high-def sports stream. If you have a family all using the Wi-Fi at once, aim for 100 Mbps.
- Audit your local channels. Go to FCC.gov and plug in your zip code. See if you can get CBS and FOX with an antenna. If you can, you can go with a cheaper streaming plan like Sling.
- Start a free trial. Almost all these services (Fubo and YouTube TV especially) offer 7-day trials. Sign up on a Friday, watch the full weekend of games, and see if the interface feels right to you before the first bill hits.
- Download the NFL app. Even if you don't subscribe to NFL+, the app is where you'll authenticate your other subscriptions to watch on the go.
Stop paying for 200 channels you don't watch. Pick your platform, cancel that cable contract, and get your Sunday back.