The digital age has given traditional cable television a run for its money.
With
streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime becoming popular alternatives, people all across the country have slashed their entertainment bill by aligning their loyalties to these low-cost monthly subscriptions.
Common as cord-cutting may be, lovers of live sports may find themselves without an immediate solution for tuning in to live NFL games.
Even though Netflix and HBO Go can’t grant access to live video stream of the New England Patriots going head to head against the Los Angeles Rams, there are a number of other options available to football fans that let you tune in without any of the pricey cable fluff.
Professional football streaming is only a couple clicks away with these clever tips and tricks.
How to stream NFL games on HP laptops and desktops
Gone are the days of scouring the depths of the internet for sketchy, pop-up-heavy sites that broadcast live NFL games. Keep your PC safe and secure by outsourcing your need for a good stream to reputable providers. No TV and no cable necessary!
Amazon Prime
A subscription to
Amazon Prime is great to add to any household if you’re looking for a solution for your gameday needs. In addition to free two-day shipping, while you shop online and access to one of the best movie libraries out there, Prime members have access to 11 free Thursday Night Football games.
2018 marked the first year of Amazon’s new deal with the NFL, which granted the streaming service live access to Thursday Night Football coverage. Although Amazon Prime won’t be able to stream any Saturday, Sunday, or Super Bowl games, Thursday night viewings are an exclusive perk to a service many people already have.
Amazon kept football fans in mind with the integration of a new feature called
X-Ray. X-Ray presents live stats and player information on the screen during game time, which makes watching less familiar teams more interactive.
This feature also comes with the ability to select commentator coverage. Viewers will be able to choose between Fox broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, or Amazon’s own duo of Andrea Kremer and Hannah Storm.
How to Stream: On your Windows computer, visit Amazon’s Thursday Night Football page for live streaming video playback. [1]
The Cost: $119 per year, or $12.99 per month
DirecTV Now
DirecTV has joined the ranks of cable providers that offer non-cable subscription streaming services. Its cable background gives cord-cutters an easy transition option with the impressive channel selection and delivers live stream access to major NFL broadcast networks like ESPN, CBS, NBC, and Fox.
Subscribers will also gain premium access to channels like Fox Sports 1 and ESPN2 to keep their heads in the game on and off the field.
How to Stream: Sign into DirecTV Entertainment and select Watch Online and View in Guide to browse through all of your favourite NFL streaming channels. [2]
The Cost: Starting at $40 per month
YouTube TV
What was once a website for funny skits made by regular people has turned into a massive video provider for everyone in every industry.
YouTube TV is one of the site’s latest rollouts that has fans whirring. The single plan monthly subscription comes with over 40 channels and can be accessed on nearly any smart device.
Sports fans rejoice. YouTube TV comes with every football channel a cable subscription would. Carrying ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and Comcast SportsNet, you’ll have 24-hour uninterrupted access to Thursday, Sunday, and Monday NFL games.
How to Stream: Sign in to your YouTube TV account and flip to your desired channel. [3]
The Cost: $40 per month
Sling TV
Not only is
Sling TV one of the only streaming services that can grant access to the NFL RedZone channel, it’s also one of the most affordable services on the market. Offering live access to ESPN, NFL Network, Fox and NBC, Sling TV gets you in on the action without the cable subscription.
How to Stream: On your Windows PC, download the Sling TV from the
Windows Store. Launch the app, log in, and get streaming. [4]
The Cost: Starting at $25 per month
Hulu Live
Hulu with Live TV is one of the lesser known hidden gems that the streaming service offers. As an excellent option for cord-cutters and sports fans, Hulu Live offers over 50 channels including ESPN, NBC, CBS, and Fox.
This means you’ll be able to have Monday, Sunday, and Thursday Night Football available for viewing at your fingertips. Hulu Live also comes with app authentication capability for fan favourites like Fox Sports Go, CBS Sports, WatchESPN, and NBC Sports.
To make the deal even sweeter, a Hulu Live subscription includes a DVR system, so you’ll never miss a game again.
How to Stream: Visiting and signing into Hulu.com gives you instant access to Live TV among many other Hulu features. Browse through the channel guide to find your desired network. [5]
The Cost: Starting at $39.99 per month
FuboTV
Created for hard-core sports fans,
FuboTV covers some serious ground in the gameday universe. In addition to granting live stream access to Fox, NBC, and CBS, the service also grants access to NFL Network and NFL RedZone.
Though FuboTV doesn’t include ESPN networks, it does support app authentication for Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and the NFL Mobile app. FuboTV is perfect for the football fan who clicks on college football when the pros have wrapped up.
How to Stream: Access live streaming channels right from the FuboTV site. Chrome browser is recommended. [6]
The Cost: $45 per month
How to stream NFL games on mobile devices
Whether you’re 35,000 feet up in the air or lead an on-the-go lifestyle, having access to live-streaming games is crucial for the NFL super fan.
If you’re dependent on your smartphone to keep you plugged in or keep a tablet on you wherever you go, there are a number of ways to watch live games and never miss a moment with your mobile device.
NFL Mobile
The days of
NFL Mobile only being available to Verizon subscribers are over. 2018 marked the first year that the NFL released its own app that grants live stream access to Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, NFL playoffs, and the Super Bowl.
Just be sure to have a generous data plan or trusty WiFi connection to avoid any potential overage charges to your mobile bill. The best part? The app is free.
Available via: Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Windows Store, BlackBerry World
Yahoo Sports
Much like the NFL mobile app,
Yahoo Sports delivers live access to nationally broadcasted games on Fox, CBS, ESPN, NFL Network, and NBC.
One of the biggest differences between the two apps is that Yahoo Sports offers a number of extra features that cater to the hard-core fan. From commentary to analysis, Yahoo Sports is a great option for the super fan.
Available via: Apple App Store, Google Play Store
NBC Sports
NBC Sports gives sports fans access to live stream NBC broadcasts of NFL games with a simple login and channel selection.
This app is easy to navigate and available on many mobile platforms. All that’s needed to get streaming is login credentials from a compatible streaming service provider or a cable provider.
Available via: Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Amazon, Samsung Store
Twitch
Since being purchased by Amazon, the
live streaming site Twitch now offers simulcasted coverage for all Thursday Night Football games. Football fans all around the globe can tune in for some Thursday night action, and share the experiences with an integrated chat box.
Available via: Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon
How to stream NFL games on gaming consoles
The modern era of gaming has given us high-powered consoles capable of more than our imaginations can fathom.
One of the most helpful innovations console makers have included is allowing cable cord-cutters an alternative within the console. That’s right, you can livestream NFL games straight from your favorite
gaming console.
PlayStation Vue
PlayStation Vue is a live streaming service that gives users access to live TV, movies, news, and sports without any need for a cable or satellite subscription.
PS Vue is compatible with a number of TV-connected and mobile devices, giving you the freedom of on-the-go live streaming capability. This includes
Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku Players and TV, iOS devices, Android devices, and
Amazon Fire tablets.
Using your PS Vue account, streaming NFL games through network apps and websites is made easy. On your console, downloading and logging into any of these Vue-compatible apps will give you instant access to live-streaming football games.
- ESPN
- Fox Sports Go
- NBC Sports
PS Vue users with a Core subscription will also get live coverage with the NFL Network channel.
Xbox One
In addition to being the supreme machine to play all of your
favourite FPS games and racing games, the
Xbox One is a powerhouse for streaming live television. While the Xbox OneGuide integrates cable TV seamlessly, those without a cable subscription must seek other options.
Luckily through the
Microsoft Store (formerly known as the Xbox Store), finding, downloading, and launching apps with live stream access is made possible. Xbox supports these NFL streaming apps.
- Hulu Live
- CBS All Access
- NBC Sports
- NFL Game Pass
- Sling TV
Gameday access, with every device
Regardless of what device and service you use, there are plenty of ways to support and watch your favorite NFL team.
Whether it’s a high stakes Superbowl game or just a regular season game, it’s crucial for the super fan to be able to tune in. Be there for every touchdown, tackle, and turnover.
About the Author: Tulie Finley-Moise is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Tulie is a digital content creation specialist based in San Diego, California with a passion for the latest tech and digital media news. Popular HP Laptops for Live Entertainment and Sports