One of the biggest obstacles of cord-cutting (until recently) was the inability to watch live sports. However, considering that many live TV streaming services now offer sports channels, avoiding the high price of cable TV seems like an easy decision. So, what are your options if you want to watch NFL games live and on-demand?
Well, there’s a range of options in front of you that you’ll have to combine. Don’t worry, we're here to report on all those streaming services, allowing you to make a well-informed decision. With this said, let’s talk about the best NFL streaming services in 2020.
First of all, a few useful bits of information to help you get started. As you probably already know, NFL games typically occupy four different time slots during the regular season. We’re talking about Thursday Night Football (Fox and NFL Network), Sunday Afternoons (Fox and CBS), Sunday Night Football (Fox, CBS, and NBC), and Monday Night Football (ESPN).
Then, there are playoff games that are split between all of the previously mentioned channels. And of course, CBS has the exclusive rights to the upcoming Super Bowl (2021).
LEARN HOW TO AVOID BLACKOUTS: Despite the fact that you’re using a streaming service, you are still subject to certain blackout rules as on cable TV. However, avoiding these blackouts is possible on the Web with the help of a VPN application. To learn more, make sure to check our dedicated guide on how to bypass blackout restrictions.
Without further ado, these are the 8 best NFL streaming services in 2020.
First, we have fuboTV - which started out as a sports-centric streaming platform. If you go for its base plan, you get 112 channels and up to 250 hours of cloud-based recording. The most comprehensive plan brings more than 200 channels (depending on your location), includes the Sports Plus add-on, and even a few high-profile entertainment channels.
In terms of the NFL, you get ESPN, Fox, NBC, CBS, and more. You also get NFL Network and even NFL Redzone is on offer (via an add-on, priced at $10.99/month). When it comes to other sports channels, you get Golf Channel, NBA TV, TBS, and TNT, in addition to a healthy range of regional sports networks. With this said, it's clear that FuboTV is the best option right now when it comes to streaming NFL games.
Of course, make sure to read our full fuboTV review, where you can learn the specifics, including the platform’s TV channels lineup, pricing, and plenty more.
Pros
Comes with all of the channels you'll need to watch NFL games.
Recently ESPN was added as well.
Reliable performance; Supports resolutions up to 4K.
Cons
Not the most affordable option.
Sports channels are priced extra (a solid selection available in the base plan, though).
If you want to catch as many NFL games as possible, you need a streaming service that covers a large number of TV channels (national + local). This is why we recommend Hulu + Live TV as one of the topmost options for the best NFL streaming service. By using this platform, you can access ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, and NBC - which means that you’re covered more than well.
It’s interesting to note that ESPN comes in the base (standard) plan of Hulu + Live TV, which is not something you’ll find often. That’s because Hulu is owned by Disney, which also owns ESPN (hence the connection). In addition, you get a really nice range of entertainment and news channels, in addition to Hulu’s entire catalog of on-demand movies and TV shows (with ads, in this case).
When it comes to some of its downsides, Hulu + Live TV doesn’t get you NFL Network or NFL Redzone, which means that you’ll still miss out on some of the NFL-related content after all. However, you’re covered well when it comes to Sunday, Monday, and Thursday Night Football.
To learn more about what this streaming platform offers, make sure to read our in-depth Hulu + Live TV review. And remember, this is a non-contract service (like other streaming platforms), and you can always take a free trial to test-drive it before you commit.
Pros
An affordable option with a sizable list of TV channels.
Covers a range of NFL-related channels without any add-ons needed.
You also get Hulu’s entire on-demand catalog (included in the price).
Cons
NFL Network and NFL Redzone channels are missing.
Offline downloads feature only supported by premium accounts.
3. Sling TV - Best Entry-Level NFL Streaming Service
Type: Live TV channels & on-demand content.
Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, Xbox One, Nintendo, smart TVs.
Maximum Streams Available: 1 stream (base plan).
Where You Can Stream: Available in the USA only (local TV channels are subject to availability).
What You Can Watch: 50+ Live TV channels, on-demand movies, and TV shows.
Can You Record Live TV: Yes - up to 50 hours.
Available Extras: Cloud DVR (50 hours), premium channels (Starz, Epic, Showtime), TV channel bundles (Hollywood, Sports, Kids, News, and more).
Required Internet Speed: At least 5Mbps for a single HD stream; 25Mbps recommended for households with multiple streams.
Ad-Supported: Ads presented via live and on-demand content.
Sling TV has always been marketed as an affordable solution for live TV streaming. It offers two plans (Orange and Blue), each priced at $30/month - with an option to include affordable extra plans as well. However, considering the affordable price of its Orange and Blue channels, you will have to think hard about how to combine these plans.
The Orange plan gets you ESPN channels, while the Blue plan includes channels like Fox Sports, NFL Network, and NBC. In case you’d like to watch NFL games on CBS, you’re out of luck - and you’ll need to use an antenna, which complicates the whole situation.
If you’d like additional sports channels, Sling TV comes with a Sports add-on (priced at $10/month), which includes NFL RedZone, beIN Sports, ESPN U, NBA TV, NHL Network, and more. Even though plenty of you should be happy with this selection, you can easily see how this can easily add up to a significant monthly cost. Therefore, make sure to pick your plan wisely if you want to keep things within a certain budget.
We are sure that you’ll want additional information about this streaming service, so we offer you our Sling TV review. Make sure to take a look.
Pros
Good selection of channels (in the most expensive plan, though).
Includes plenty of NFL-related channels, with add-ons offered as well.
It can be affordable - if you don’t need a huge number of TV channels.
Cons
Not the most polished interface (in comparison to its competitors).
Type: Live TV channels (priced extra) & on-demand content.
Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, PlayStation 3/4, Xbox One, Nintendo, smart TVs.
Maximum Streams Available: 3 simultaneous streams (base plan).
Where You Can Stream: Available in more than 200 countries. A number of TV channels are geo-restricted (available in the USA only).
What You Can Watch: Hundreds of live TV channels (priced individually), as well as over 17,500 movies and TV shows, including Prime Video exclusives.
Can You Record Live TV: Recording available via additional products.
Available Extras: A huge number of add-ons available (for watching live TV and on-demand). Prime membership includes additional Amazon-related shopping benefits.
Required Internet Speed: 3.5Mpbs to stream in HD; 25Mbps to stream in 4K.
Ad-Supported: Ads presented via live and on-demand content; Individual live TV add-ons come with ad-free streaming.
Price: Starts at $12.99/month ($119.00/year if paid annually).
It’s true that Amazon Prime Video isn’t the most comprehensive NFL-related solution out there. However, the fact is that Thursday Night Football might be the most complicated piece of this NFL puzzle. Well, that’s precisely why you should consider using Prime Video.
So, you already know that Prime Video only streams Thursday Night Football, which makes it suitable for casual football fans (in the best-case scenario). However, this on-demand streaming platform allows you to add extras, including entire standalone streaming platforms. For example, you can add CBS All Access to your Prime Video subscription, which means that you’ll also get Sunday Night Football coverage. There are plenty of these sports-related add-ons, including NBA League Pass or PGA Tour Live. You can combine what you want to watch, and therefore keep your monthly costs under control.
Let’s not forget to mention that you’ll need an Amazon Prime Subscription for this streaming service. This subscription also gets you free and fast shipping, special deals when buying on Amazon, limited music streaming, ebooks, and plenty more. To learn all there’s to know, here’s our Prime Video review.
Pros
You can watch Thursday Night Football.
The ability to add individual ‘video channels’, such as CBS All Access.
You get Prime Video’s full on-demand catalog, including exclusive titles.
Starting at $64.99/month, you get access to more than 85+ TV channels with YouTube TV. What’s even more important, many praise YouTube TV’s coverage of local TV stations. Considering that it offers ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and Fox Sports - you get plenty of your money. More importantly, you get plenty of NFL-related action on your screen.
Keep in mind that when it comes to YouTube TV, you get NFL Network in the base plan. However, if you also want NFL RedZone, you will need to include the 'Sports Plus' add-on to your subscription.
It’s also worth noting that YouTube comes with a series of highly polished applications, compatible with just about any platform out there. In case you’re using an Android device or if you have a Google smart-speaker, you’re in luck because all of these are Google-made products. In addition, YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR that keeps your recordings up to 9 months, which is something that no other streaming platforms offer.
To learn more and see why this is one of the best NFL streaming services in 2020, we’ve prepared our YouTube TV review with all the information you need.
Pros
Excellent lineup of channels (without any add-ons needed).
It supports a huge number of channels and comes with a modern UI.
You get unlimited cloud DVR, storing your data up to 9 months.
Cons
Not the most attractive offer of original programming.
6. AT&T TV Now - Best for Watching Premium TV Channels
Type: Live TV channels & on-demand content.
Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, Samsung TVs.
Maximum Streams Available: 3 simultaneous streams (base plan).
Where You Can Stream: Available in the USA only (local TV channels are subject to availability)
What You Can Watch: 140+ TV channels, on-demand movies & TV shows.
Can You Record Live TV: Yes - up to 500 hours.
Available Extras: Premium channels (Showtime, Starz, Cinemax), NBA League Pass, international bundles (Spanish, Vietnamese, Brazilian, and Korean TV channels).
Required Internet Speed: 12Mbps for streaming in HD; Streaming in 4K or using multiple streams requires higher bandwidth.
Ad-Supported: Ads presented via live and on-demand content.
AT&T TV Now comes with a solid offer of TV channels, available for $55/month if you go for its most affordable plan. However, if you want to get the best possible offer, you will most likely go for a pricier plan (called Max, priced at $80/month). This gets you CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, in addition to a whole slate of sports channels like the Golf Channel, SEC Network, and some regional sports networks as well. Both of these plans come with HBO included as well, which is a unique feature.
Last year, AT&T TV Now was the best option for streaming NFL games. That’s because this platform used to include the NFL Sunday Ticket, giving you access to all out-of-market NFL games. However, this is now reserved for DirecTV Satellite customers.
Technically, you can get the NFL Sunday Ticket via AT&T TV Now, but only if you don’t meet the requirements for using DirecTV Satellite (priced at $300 per season) or if you’re an active student (priced at $100 per season). In other words, this option is viable only for those who live in rural areas (and students as well).
We’re sure that you’ll want additional information about this streaming platform. So, your next Web destination should be our AT&T TV Now review.
Pros
You get access to plenty of national and regional channels.
It provides reliable performance.
Cloud DVR gives you 500 hours of recording.
Cons
Somewhat expensive.
Doesn’t get you the NFL Network or NFL RedZone.
7. CBS All Access - Best for Watching Sunday Night Football
Type: Live TV (CBS channels) & on-demand content.
Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, smart TVs, and more.
Maximum Streams Available: 2 simultaneous connections (base plan).
Where You Can Stream: Available in the USA, Canada, and Australia.
What You Can Watch: A number of CBS’ TV channels; Third-party on-demand content as well as CBS originals.
Can You Record Live TV: No - live streaming available only.
Available Extras: No extras available.
Required Internet Speed: At least 5Mbps for streaming in HD.
Ad-Supported: Ads available in the base plan; You can go ad-free with a premium plan.
In comparison to other NFL streaming services found in this article, CBS All Access is the 'smallest' option here. This is a standalone streaming service that comes from CBS, allowing you to watch your local CBS affiliate in addition to plenty of on-demand content like movies and TV shows.
By using this streaming platform, you can watch live football on Sunday. Considering that CBS will broadcast plenty of games this NFL season, this could be an affordable way to watch NFL. The prices start at $5.99/month but this plan comes with ads. To improve your experience and get rid of ads, you’ll need a plan priced at $11.99/month.
And also, one more tip - if you want to watch more games, we recommend getting Amazon Prime Video, and then buying CBS All Access as a 'video add-on'. This way, you’ll be covered with Sunday and Thursday NFL games.
This isn’t only one of the best streaming services overall, this is definitely one of the best NFL streaming services for those on a budget. To see why - we offer you our CBS All Access review.
Pros
The most affordable option right now.
You get a sizable library of on-demand content as well.
You get live CBS News and NFL games.
Cons
No support for 4K content.
Not many original TV shows and movies.
You only get Sunday NFL games.
8. NFL Game Pass - Best for Watching On-Demand NFL Content
Type: Live & on-demand content.
Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, Android, Fire TV, Apple TV, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, smart TVs (Samsung and LG).
Maximum Streams Available: 5 simultaneous streams.
Where You Can Stream: Available across the world.
What You Can Watch: NFL Network live (24/7), NFD Redzone Live, on-demand movies and originals, and more.
Can You Record Live TV: No - live streaming available only.
Available Extras: No extras available.
Required Internet Speed: At least 2Mbps for streaming in SD; 5Mbps recommended for streaming in HD.
Ad-Supported: The majority of live content comes with ads.
Price: $99.99/season (or via 4 installments at $29.99 each).
We’ll end our list of recommendations for the best NFL streaming services with NFL Game Pass. You might be wondering why we haven’t placed this option first, considering that this is a dedicated NFL platform? Well, this is an amazing platform that offers 250+ NFL games, but still - there’s a catch.
NFL Game Pass provides on-demand replays of all regular-season games, and you get live coverage of out-of-market preseason games. This means that you won’t get to watch the regular season games live, which are instead available right after their broadcast ends. So, if you don’t might waiting for on-demand replays, this could be a viable option.
It’s worth noting that this platform isn’t available in the USA only - it’s available worldwide. You also get access to the NFL Network live, NFL RedZone Live, plenty of on-demand movies, and more. And finally, please note that you’ll get to stream this year’s Super Bowl, which is yet another interesting benefit.
Pros
Plenty of value for the price.
You get access to all 250+ regular-season games (on-demand).
The NFL Network and NFL RedZone are included in the price.
Cons
It doesn’t let you watch the regular season games live.
Can’t Make Up Your Mind? Here’s a Quick Breakdown of The Best NFL Streaming Services in 2020!
Yes, we understand that we’ve presented plenty of information in this article. So, to make things a bit easier, let’s get to the point and give you some quick recommendations.
Best NFL Streaming Service Overall: At the moment, we believe that the best all-around streaming service is fuboTV. It comes with plenty of TV channels even in its base plan, covering the majority of regular-season NFL games. In addition, you will find other channels as well, suitable for different members for your household (movies, entertainment, cartoons, documentaries, and more).
Best for General Sports Streaming: If you’re a hardcore sports fan, you should pay attention to fuboTV and Hulu + Live TV. After all, these platforms bring a healthy dose of sports channels in their base plans. Of course, what sets them apart from the rest are their add-ons. Many are sports-themed, expanding your options even more.
Best for Keeping Your Budget Under Control: In case you don’t want to spend plenty of money on an NFL streaming service, we recommend Sling TV. Priced at $30/month, you get plenty of NFL games and a group of popular TV channels at a low cost. However, if you have some money to invest right now, getting Amazon Prime Video (its annual subscription) seems like a good idea. You’ll need to pay $119 for this option, and then you can add CBS All Access to your subscription for only $5.99/month (or $11.99/month for an ad-free experience).
Best Entry-Level NFL Streaming Option: If you’re not a diehard NFL fan, you should be more than happy with CBS All Access. This is the most affordable option right now. However, if you’d like to watch additional games, your next bet should be Sling TV.
Best for On-Demand Streaming: if you don’t care about watching NFL games live, take a moment to consider getting an NFL Game Pass subscription. This option gives you all of the regular-season games (and pre-season games as well), but only on-demand (there’s no live-streaming on offer).
So, we’ve finally reached the end of our guide to the best NFL streaming services. We hope that all your questions have been answered and that you’ll now more easily find a solution that’s aligned with your needs. Thanks for visiting TechNadu!
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