How many streaming services you need to watch NFL games — and how much it'll cost

The Hill

2 days ago

(NEXSTAR) — Football season is upon us, with preseason games well underway. Tuning into games may, however, be more complicated than seasons past.
In recent years, streaming services like Amazon Prime, Peacock, and even Netflix have found their ways into the broadcast schedule.
Another streaming bombshell entered the field earlier this month, with Fox announcing 'Fox One,' which is set to launch on August 21. The 'wholly-owned direct to consumer streaming service' will cost you $19.99 a month or $199.99 annually.
Fox One will carry the broadcasting company's news, weather, and business channels, as well as the slate of Fox sports channels. According to The Athletic, the streamer will carry the MLB World Series and its Sunday NFL games, as well as college football on Saturdays.
Why does the NFL have a 2-minute warning?
This isn't necessarily meant to take away from the cable or antenna access you already have to view Fox, the outlet noted. If you do have cable or a bundled streaming service, like YouTube TV, you'll be able to get Fox One with no additional charge.
Nonetheless, Fox One adds another layer to your ability to watch NFL games this season.
In most cases, a local station will carry the game. But, let's say you live in Chicago and want to watch the Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl victory, run it back. Since you live out of the Philadelphia market, you'll either have to hope for a matchup between the local Bears (they face off in Week 13), that the Eagles are part of that specific day's national lineup, or rely on a streaming service.
What are NFL players wearing on their necks?
You'll need CBS's Paramount+ once; Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and ESPN (this new streaming service is also launching on August 21 and replacing ESPN+) twice; and Fox One nine times to catch every regular-season Eagles game. And let's say you're also hoping to catch the Christmas Day games that Netflix airs, which means you would have to use six streaming services to catch all 16 regular-season games.
Here's a breakdown of the lowest monthly costs (some have premium subscription plans, or offer discounts for annual subscriptions) for those streaming services, as of August:
Streaming Service Monthly Subscription Fee
Paramount+ $7.99
Amazon Prime Video $14.99 (unless you want the Prime Video subscription only, that's $8.99)
Peacock $10.99
ESPN $11.99
Fox One $19.99
Netflix $7.99
If you had subscriptions to all of these services for the entire regular NFL season — early September to early January, or about four full months — it would cost you about $296, before taxes. You can see where your team's games will air this season here.
There's also NFL+, which gives you access to live local and primetime regular and postseason games — on phones and tablets only. At the lowest level, that'll set you back $6.99 a month, or about $28 for a four-month regular season.
The nonbinding agreement reached between the NFL and ESPN last week makes streaming even more complex. As part of the deal, the NFL Network will still air seven games a season, The Associated Press reports, while four of ESPN's games will move to the NFL Network. The same is true for the three additional games ESPN will now license. That deal is not expected to be completed until 2026.
All seeming a bit too complicated? For now, you'll likely be able to catch most (if not all) of your local team's games on local television. It may not be that simple if you live out-of-market, unfortunately.
Streaming in general remains as strong as ever. Data released by Nielsen Media Research in June showed that viewership on streaming has surpassed cable and broadcast channels for the first time, The Hill reported.