If you’re hoping to catch every NFL game this season, be prepared to spend a good chunk of change.
Games will be broadcast across a variety of platforms, including Fox, CBS, NBC, Amazon, YouTube, Netflix, and ESPN. These media companies leverage the league’s immense popularity to draw viewers towards their streaming services and subscription offerings.
This reliance on popular sports is driving up the costs for fans wanting to watch all the games. Estimates from Forbes suggest that fans will need to shell out more than $750 to follow every NFL game this season.
The priciest option is the NFL Sunday Ticket, which can be accessed through traditional cable providers or Google’s YouTubeTV.
YouTube is just one of the newer players on the scene.
Both Amazon and Netflix will also feature some games this year, but you’ll need to subscribe to their services to catch them.
In the U.S., Netflix plans range from $6.99 to $24.99 monthly, while Amazon’s streaming service costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually.
Amazon made its move into the NFL landscape back in 2021 when it secured a multi-billion-dollar deal to air Thursday Night Football, Black Friday games, and other select matchups through to the 2033 season.
Netflix is also making strides in live sports, having broadcast last Christmas’s game and attracting over 20 million viewers for the holiday doubleheader.
This Christmas, the streamers will feature games showcasing NFC rivals: the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings.
One interesting aspect of the NFL, compared to other leagues, is the local broadcast access, which is available for free for certain games through antennas.
This was evident on a Friday evening when the NFL held a game in Brazil, streaming the matchup between the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers for free on YouTube.
As traditional media companies continue to grow, it seems likely that NFL games will help bolster streaming platforms like Paramount+ and ESPN+.
Fox and CBS are still in the mix, airing games on Sunday afternoons based on local markets, but many believe that the current contract, valid until 2033, may signal the end of linear television broadcasts for such games.
The opening game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on NBC’s Thursday Night should not only be available on traditional television but also on Peacock, which costs consumers $16.99 per month or $169.99 annually.
Comcast’s network also showcases Sunday Night Football, consistently one of the highest-rated shows each fall.
No matter what technology these traditional and new media companies use to deliver NFL game content, the demand remains undeniable.
Over 90 of the top 100 television broadcasts last year were NFL games, proving that the league is a major driver of viewership in the media landscape.
“It’s part of a broader strategy to make this a global game,” stated NFL Executive VP for media distribution, Hans Schroeder, in a recent chat with podcaster Richard Deicz. “We’re playing more games in more locations. We couldn’t have made this change without adjusting our media trading structure.”
There are signs that the NFL is keen on deepening its partnerships with some of the largest media companies globally.
Earlier this summer, the league inked a $2 billion agreement with Disney, selling its “red zone” brand to ESPN and securing a 10% stake in the Disney-owned sports media entity.
While the array of gaming options across platforms might confuse some NFL fans, most don’t expect a shift in their pro football viewing habits anytime soon.
“We’ve observed a lot of effort, and it shows,” noted John A. Fortunate, a sports media and business expert at Fordham University. “The NFL hasn’t hit that limit yet. Regardless of your thoughts, media is pivotal for the NFL’s growth…and that’s the reality given the league’s popularity.”
