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Where to Watch NFL Football on TV This Fall: Your Ultimate Guide by Christi Barbour and Lisa Quisenberry

Where to Watch NFL Football on TV This Fall: Your Ultimate Guide

September 20, 2024
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Whether you’re a die-hard fan of your local team or just love the thrill of the game, knowing where to catch all the action is a must. Here’s your playbook for watching NFL football on TV this fall, so that you’ll never miss a touchdown or a big play. Get ready to huddle up and enjoy every minute of the season!

Network Television: The Tried and True

For many fans, the NFL excitement begins with the traditional networks, offering a full lineup of games for free. It’s an easy win, giving you access to all the action.

  • CBS: Home to AFC games, CBS is your go-to for early and late afternoon matchups on most Sundays. It’s also the channel for some of the key playoff games.
  • FOX: FOX covers the NFC games with a similar Sunday schedule to CBS, featuring both early and late afternoon games. Expect to see some of the season’s most anticipated matchups here.
  • NBC: “Sunday Night Football” on NBC is a prime-time favorite, known for its high-quality production and thrilling games that wrap up your football-filled Sundays.
  • ABC/ESPN: For Monday Night Football, tune in to ESPN, which typically handles the broadcast, with occasional simulcasts on ABC to kick off your week with football excitement.

Cable and Satellite Providers: Comprehensive Coverage

If you’re a cable or satellite subscriber, you have access to a broad range of NFL content:

  • NFL Network: Even though Amazon Prime Video has exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football games, the NFL Network will still broadcast some Thursday Night Football games in a simulcast, especially when the games are produced for NFL Network.
  • ESPN: The home for Monday Night Football.

Streaming Services: The Modern Way to Watch

Streaming has become a game-changer for TV viewing, including for NFL games:

  • Amazon Prime Video: Amazon remains the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football, allowing Prime members to stream these games without extra charges.
  • Paramount+: This is a great way to stream AFC games from CBS. It’s a flexible option for fans who like to stream games.
  • Peacock: NBC’s Peacock offers live streaming of Sunday Night Football, so you can catch the prime-time games on various devices.
  • ESPN+: ESPN’s platform provides access to Monday Night Football.
  • YouTube TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket: DirecTV sold the rights to their NFL Sunday Ticket Package in 2023 to YouTubeTV. This is a major announcement as it broadens the audience, allowing restaurants and bars to stream games.

Local Broadcasts: Stay Connected to Your Home Team

To catch all the local team games, be sure to check your local listings — CBS, FOX, and ABC usually cover those regional matchups, so you won’t miss out on the action. If you don’t have cable or streaming, a digital antenna is a great budget-friendly option.

Netflix: A New Twist for Christmas Games

This holiday season, Netflix is making waves in the sports world with live NFL games:

  • Christmas Day Games: Netflix will show live NFL games on Christmas Day in 2024 for the first time, adding a unique twist to your holiday traditions. Make sure you have a Netflix subscription to enjoy these special holiday games.

Conclusion

With so many ways to watch, following NFL football this fall is a total touchdown! Whether you're sticking with traditional network broadcasts, diving into comprehensive cable and satellite coverage, streaming the latest games, or catching Netflix’s special holiday matchups, there’s a setup that’s sure to score for every fan. So, grab your remote, your favorite beverage, and a few yummy snacks for the 2024 NFL season — it's going to be a game day every day!

Christi Barbour
Lisa Quisenberry