You’re sitting on the couch, wings are getting cold, and you’re frantically scrolling through the guide. We’ve all been there. You want to know thursday night football what channel on DISH is actually on before the kickoff whistle blows. Honestly, it’s gotten a bit more complicated lately than just punching in a three-digit number on your remote.
Back in the day, you’d just flip to NFL Network or maybe a local station. Now? It’s a whole thing.
The short answer is that for the 2025-2026 season, most Thursday Night Football games aren't on a traditional "channel" at all. They live on Amazon Prime Video. But don't throw your remote just yet—if you have a DISH Hopper, you can actually get to the game without switching inputs or messing with a Fire Stick.
The Secret to Finding the Game on Your DISH Guide
If you’re looking for a specific channel number for thursday night football what channel on DISH, you’re mostly looking for Channel 301.
Wait, 301? Yeah. On the DISH Hopper, channel 301 is basically a shortcut to the Prime Video app. You tune to it just like you would to ESPN (140) or HGTV (112). Once you're there, the app launches, you sign in with your Amazon account, and the game is right there.
If you’re more of a voice-command person, you can just yell "Amazon Prime Video" into your DISH voice remote. It works pretty well.
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Why can't I just find it on NFL Network?
This is where people get tripped up. NFL Network (Channel 154 on DISH) used to be the home for these games. Now, they mostly do pre-game coverage, highlights, and the occasional international game. But for the standard Thursday night slate? Amazon bought those rights lock, stock, and barrel.
There is one big exception, though. If you live in the home market of one of the teams playing—say, the Eagles are playing the Giants and you live in Philly—the game will usually air on a local broadcast station. That could be your local FOX, CBS, or NBC affiliate. In that case, you’ll find it in the low numbers of your DISH guide (usually channels 2 through 70).
What About the 2025-2026 Schedule?
Knowing the channel is only half the battle. You have to know when to tune in. Most of these games kick off at 8:15 PM ET.
Here is how the rest of the season looks for those looking to find the game:
- Week 17 (Dec 25): Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs. (This one is special because it's a Christmas nightcap).
- Wild Card Playoff (Jan 10/11, 2026): Matchup TBD. This is a big deal because Amazon now has exclusive rights to a playoff game too.
It's kinda wild how much has changed. Just a few years ago, the idea of a playoff game being exclusive to a streaming service would have caused a riot. Now, it’s just another Saturday or Sunday.
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Troubleshooting Your DISH Connection
Sometimes the app just won't load. It’s frustrating. If you’re trying to watch thursday night football what channel on DISH and the screen is just spinning, check your internet.
The Hopper needs to be connected to your home Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable to run the Prime Video app. If your satellite signal is fine but your internet is down, you won't be able to see the game on Channel 301. In that scenario, your only hope is if the game is being broadcast on a local channel in your area.
Quick Fixes for Game Night:
- Reset the Hopper: Hold down the Power button on the front of the box for about 10 seconds.
- Check the Apps Menu: Press the "Home" button twice on your DISH remote and look for the Prime Video icon.
- Use DISH Anywhere: If the living room TV is being used, you can sometimes catch pre-game stuff or local broadcasts on the DISH Anywhere app on your phone or tablet.
The Cost Factor
DISH doesn't charge you extra to access the app, but Amazon definitely does. You need a Prime membership or a standalone Prime Video subscription. If you’re already paying for free shipping on your dog food and phone chargers, you’ve already got access. You just have to link the account to your DISH box.
It's a bit of a hassle the first time you set it up. You'll have to enter a code on a website or scan a QR code with your phone. Once it's linked, though, you're usually good for the rest of the season.
How to Get Ready for Next Week
Don't wait until 8:14 PM next Thursday to figure this out.
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Go to Channel 301 right now. See if the Prime Video app opens. If it asks you to sign in, do it now while you're not stressed about missing the opening kickoff.
Check your local listings too. If you're in a "home market," you might be able to save some bandwidth and just watch on your local FOX or NBC affiliate.
Basically, the era of simple channel surfing is over, but with a Hopper and a decent internet connection, you can still catch every hit. Just remember: 301 is your friend, and keep that voice remote handy.
Actionable Next Steps:
Log into your Amazon Prime account on your DISH Hopper tonight to ensure your credentials are saved. If you don't have a Hopper or an internet-connected Joey, you will need to use a secondary device like a Roku, Apple TV, or a Smart TV app to watch the Thursday night games, as they will not appear on traditional satellite channels like NFL Network.