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How To Watch NFL Network Without Cable (As Cheap As Possible)

John Finn Avatar
Streaming Better NFL Network banner with teams

The cheapest way to watch NFL Network without cable is Sling TV. Technically, some individuals and households may be able to watch NFL games for free, depending on their location and access to local channels. However, for those wanting to maximize the NFL experience through a paid service, Sling TV is going to be the most affordable way.

Live sports remains one of the main reasons to continue paying for a live TV subscription. At the same time, actually finding a live TV service that includes all the sports channels a home might want access to has become increasingly harder, and especially with so many having dropped regional sports networks and local affiliates from their packages in recent years.

When it comes to NFL Network, that’s not an issue right now, with all of the most popular live TV streaming providers offering access to the channel. As to be expected, however, the price does vary greatly.

Live TV services with access to NFL Network

For those interested in a live TV plan with access to NFL Network, below are the options from cheapest to most expensive.

Cheapest way to watch NFL Network

At $40 per month, Sling TV is currently the cheapest way to stream NFL Network without cable, but consumers will want to make sure they sign up to the right plan. While Sling TV offers two main base subscriptions, NFL Network is only available through the Sling Blue plan.

The Sling Blue package provides access to more than 40 live TV channels, including NFL Network, and is a good option overall for football and news content. In addition, a subscription also provides the ability to stream on up to three devices at the same time, on-demand access to a variety of shows, movies and sports events, and up to 50 hours of recording space.

If access to Monday Night Football is also wanted, NFL fans should consider subscribing to the combined Sling Orange & Blue plan at $55 per month. As ESPN is only included with the Sling Orange plan, bundling the two plans together is the best way to get NFL Network and ESPN through Sling. Even at $55 per month, the combined plan is still cheaper than many of the other live TV streaming services.

If in need of even more NFL, Sling also offers NFL RedZone as part of its Sports Extra add-on. Sports Extra costs an additional $11 per month when added to Sling Blue, and $15 per month when added to Sling Orange & Blue.


Updated Sling TV logo with emphasis on TV

$40-55/mo

  • 30+ channels
  • 1-3 streams
  • 50-Hour DVR

Deal: First month only $20.


Other ways to watch NFL Network

Even though Sling TV is the cheapest, it is not the only option for streaming NFL Network. For example, all of Vidgo‘s live TV plans also come with NFL Network included. Vidgo offers three main packages to choose from – Plus, Premium, and Ultimate – and all of them include NFL Network. Priced at $69.99 per month, Plus is the cheapest of these plans, and the next cheapest way to get NFL Network with a live TV subscription.


Vidgo logo

$80/mo

  • 100+ channels
  • 3 streams
  • Limited DVR

If you also want NFL RedZone, the $84.99 per month Premium plan is the cheapest option through Vidgo.

Hulu Live TV is another service that might be worth considering, and especially as its base plan includes access to ESPN Plus as well, unlocking additional NFL content at no extra cost. Hulu Live TV (with ESPN Plus included) costs $69.99 per month. If wanting access to NFL RedZone, the $9.99 per month Sports add-on will need to be bundled with the base plan.


Hulu logo

$77/mo

  • 95+ channels
  • Basic Hulu
  • Disney+
  • ESPN+

Fubo tends to be a good option for sports in general, and is another way to watch NFL Network without cable. Fubo offers more than one plan to choose from, with the cheapest Pro package costing $74.99 a month and unlocking access to NFL Network.


Fubo logo

$80-100/mo

  • 195-270 channels
  • 10 streams
  • Unlimited DVR

It should be noted that some homes may end up paying an additional RSN fee, depending on their location and the regional sports networks available in that area.

Another option is YouTube TV. Unlike many of the other services, YouTube TV only offers one plan, priced at $72.99 a month, and this package does include access to NFL Network. One of the benefits of going the YouTube TV route is that you can also subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket to unlock even more NFL content.


YouTube TV logo branding

$73/mo

  • 100+ channels
  • 3 streams
  • Unlimited DVR

Deal: Pay $65/mo for first 4 months


A final option is DirecTV Stream. While previously unavailable through DirecTV Stream, NFL Network was added in June of 2023 following a new agreement with the NFL. DirecTV Stream offers more than one plan to choose from, and those waning access to NFL Network will need to consider signing up to a minimum of Choice, priced at $99 a month.


Directv stream logo brand

$80-165/mo

  • 90-185 channels
  • Unlimited streams
  • Unlimited DVR

Deal: Get DirecTV Stream for as low as $49.99/month for 3 months.


If preferring to sign up to Entertainment to save on the cost, it is also possible to add NFL Network by adding the Sports Pack add-on. This $14.99 a month upgrade not only adds NFL Network but also NFL RedZone, as well as a variety of other sports channels. Adding Sports Pack to Entertainment will increase the monthly cost to $89.98.

Watching NFL Network directly

In addition to watching NFL Network through the apps and websites for the live TV services mentioned above, it is also possible to watch directly through the NFL website. While this route does still require a paid live TV subscription, it is an additional benefit that’s worth being aware of.

TV Everywhere support allows subscribers to use their current account details to log in and watch through various network and channel apps and websites. Even though TV Everywhere support is not available for every service or for every channel, there are no major issues with NFL Network.

Regardless of whether signed up to DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Vidgo or YouTube TV, subscribers are able to sign in to the NFL website or app using their account details. As this TV Everywhere support list includes Sling TV, those opting for the cheapest service won’t be missing out on the ability to watch directly.

Once logged in to the NFL app or website, and the subscription has been authenticated, the subscriber will be able to watch live games or check out any of the available on demand content. This can also be a solution when other members of the same household are watching live TV and using up the limited number of streams available with a live TV plan.

NFL Network without cable: recap

At $40 per month, Sling Blue is currently the cheapest live TV package that includes access to NFL Network, making it a good option for those looking to stream NFL games and save on the cost. Although Sling TV also offers a Sling Orange plan, NFL Network is only available through Sling Blue, or by signing up to the combined Sling Orange & Blue package at $55 per month.

Outside of Sling TV, Vidgo and Hulu Live TV both also offer access to NFL Network for as little as $69.99 a month. Otherwise, YouTube TV, fuboTV, and DirecTV Stream, all also offer access to NFL Network, albeit at more expensive monthly prices.

John Finn

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