Yes, you can watch Thursday Night Football on DirecTV, but it depends on the specific season and the broadcasting rights. Historically, Thursday Night Football (TNF) has aired on a few different networks, including NFL Network and FOX. More recently, Amazon Prime Video has become the exclusive home for TNF. This guide will help you decipher how to catch all the Thursday night action with your DirecTV subscription.
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Navigating Thursday Night Football Broadcasts with DirecTV
Thursday Night Football has become a staple of the NFL season, offering fans a mid-week dose of gridiron excitement. For DirecTV subscribers, the question of how to access these games is a common one, especially with the shifting broadcast landscape. Let’s break down the different ways you can tune into TNF with DirecTV.
The Evolving Home of Thursday Night Football
The broadcast of Thursday Night Football has seen several changes over the years, impacting how DirecTV customers can watch.
- Early Years: TNF initially aired on NFL Network exclusively.
- Partnership with CBS and NBC: For a few seasons, CBS and NBC shared broadcasting duties for TNF, airing games on their respective networks. This meant DirecTV subscribers could watch if they had those channels.
- FOX Takes the Helm: For several seasons, FOX became the primary broadcaster for TNF, often simulcasting games with NFL Network. This was generally good news for DirecTV customers as FOX is a staple of most DirecTV packages.
- Amazon Prime Video Era: In a significant shift, Amazon Prime Video became the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football starting in the 2022 season. This move fundamentally changed how many fans access TNF, moving it from traditional broadcast and cable networks to a streaming platform.
DirecTV and NFL Network
For many years, the NFL Network was a consistent home for Thursday Night Football. If you have a DirecTV package that includes the NFL Network, you would have been able to catch many of these games directly.
- Package Requirements: The NFL Network is typically included in DirecTV’s Choice™ or higher packages. It’s always a good idea to check your specific DirecTV package details to confirm if the NFL Network is part of your subscription.
- Accessing NFL Network: Once you have the NFL Network, you can usually find it on a specific channel number depending on your region. You can typically access the NFL Network via the DirecTV app or website if you’re on the go, provided you’re logged in with your DirecTV credentials.
DirecTV and FOX
When FOX held the broadcast rights for Thursday Night Football, watching was generally straightforward for DirecTV customers.
- Local FOX Affiliates: FOX is a major broadcast network, and its games are usually available on your local channels through DirecTV. The specific channel number for your local FOX affiliate will vary based on your geographic location. You can typically find this information on your DirecTV receiver’s guide or by checking the DirecTV website.
- Package Inclusion: Local channels like FOX are generally included in all DirecTV packages, making it easy for most subscribers to access TNF games broadcast on FOX.
The Challenge: Amazon Prime Video Exclusivity
The most significant change in how Thursday Night Football is broadcast has been Amazon Prime Video taking over as the exclusive broadcaster. This presents a new consideration for DirecTV subscribers.
- Streaming Requirement: To watch TNF exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, you need an active Amazon Prime subscription. This is a separate subscription from your DirecTV service.
- No Direct DirecTV Channel: There isn’t a traditional DirecTV channel that carries the Amazon Prime Video exclusive TNF games. You cannot simply tune into a specific channel on your DirecTV receiver and watch these games.
- Bridging the Gap: While you can’t watch directly through a DirecTV channel, there are ways to integrate your viewing experience. If you have a smart TV, streaming device (like a Fire TV Stick, Roku, Apple TV, etc.), or a gaming console, you can download the Amazon Prime Video app and log in with your Prime account. This allows you to watch the games on your television.
- DirecTV Stream as an Alternative: For those who prefer a live TV streaming experience and want to avoid subscribing to multiple services, DirecTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV) might be an option. DirecTV Stream offers various packages that include a wide range of live TV channels, potentially including those that might broadcast TNF if rights shift again or if there are playoff games on different networks. However, for the current exclusive Amazon Prime Video TNF schedule, DirecTV Stream itself does not grant access to those specific games unless you also have an Amazon Prime subscription.
Can DirecTV Stream Help with TNF?
As mentioned, DirecTV Stream offers live TV streaming. While it’s a great way to watch many sports, including potentially games that might air on channels like NFL Network or FOX in the future (or in other NFL-related programming like NFL RedZone), it does not directly provide access to the Amazon Prime Video exclusive Thursday Night Football games.
- Package Comparisons: When considering DirecTV Stream, it’s crucial to check which packages include the channels that historically broadcast or might broadcast TNF games. For instance, the “Choice” or higher packages often include the NFL Network.
- Bundling and Apps: If you are a DirecTV Stream subscriber, you might be able to link your DirecTV Stream account to the Amazon Prime Video app in some instances, but this is not a direct substitute for having an Amazon Prime subscription for the exclusive TNF games.
Other DirecTV Offerings and How They Relate to TNF
DirecTV offers several other sports-related services that are worth noting:
- NFL Sunday Ticket: This is DirecTV’s premier NFL package, offering out-of-market games that are not broadcast locally on Sundays. While NFL Sunday Ticket is fantastic for Sunday games, it does not include Thursday Night Football, as TNF is a separate broadcast entity with its own rights.
- NFL RedZone: This channel, often available as an add-on or part of higher-tier sports packages, provides live whip-around coverage of every touchdown from around the league on Sundays. NFL RedZone does not broadcast Thursday Night Football.
Maximizing Your TNF Viewing Experience with DirecTV
Even with the shift to Amazon Prime Video, DirecTV subscribers still have options to stay connected to the NFL.
Option 1: Maintain Your DirecTV Subscription and Add Amazon Prime
- Pros: You continue to receive all your favorite channels and programming from DirecTV, plus you gain access to the exclusive TNF games on Amazon Prime Video. This is ideal if you want to keep your current TV setup and are comfortable with a separate streaming subscription.
- Cons: Requires an additional monthly cost for Amazon Prime.
Option 2: Consider DirecTV Stream (with caveats)
- Pros: If you are looking to consolidate your television services into a single streaming platform, DirecTV Stream might be appealing. It offers a robust live TV experience.
- Cons: As stated, DirecTV Stream alone does not grant access to Amazon Prime Video’s exclusive TNF games. You would still need a separate Amazon Prime subscription.
Option 3: Explore Other Streaming Services
- Live TV Streaming Services: Other streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV might offer packages that include the NFL Network and your local FOX channel. However, none of these services will directly provide the Amazon Prime Video exclusive TNF games without a separate Amazon Prime subscription.
- Amazon Prime Video Subscription: This is the most direct route to TNF if you don’t already have it. You can subscribe to Amazon Prime Video for access to Thursday Night Football and a host of other movies and TV shows.
Game Schedule and How to Stay Updated
The game schedule for Thursday Night Football is released annually, typically in May. This schedule dictates which teams are playing and on which network(s) the games will be broadcast.
- Official NFL Sources: The best way to find the most up-to-date TNF schedule is to check the official NFL website or the NFL app.
- Amazon Prime Video: Amazon will also clearly list the TNF schedule on its Prime Video platform as the season approaches and progresses.
- DirecTV Resources: While DirecTV won’t be broadcasting the Amazon exclusive games, they may still list them in their sports guides or programming information, indicating the network or service where the game can be found.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I watch Thursday Night Football on my DirecTV receiver without any extra subscriptions?
A1: Not for the games exclusively broadcast on Amazon Prime Video. If Thursday Night Football airs on NFL Network or FOX in a given season, and your DirecTV package includes those channels, then yes, you can watch them directly through your DirecTV service.
Q2: Is Thursday Night Football included in NFL Sunday Ticket?
A2: No, NFL Sunday Ticket is for out-of-market Sunday games only. Thursday Night Football is a separate broadcast package.
Q3: What channels does DirecTV offer for NFL games?
A3: DirecTV offers local channels (including FOX, CBS, and NBC for national games), the NFL Network, and NFL RedZone (as an add-on). However, the exclusive Thursday Night Football games are now primarily on Amazon Prime Video.
Q4: How can I watch the Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video with DirecTV?
A4: You will need a separate Amazon Prime subscription to watch the games on Amazon Prime Video. You can access the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles, or via your web browser.
Q5: Does DirecTV Stream include Amazon Prime Video?
A5: No, DirecTV Stream is a live TV streaming service that does not include Amazon Prime Video as part of its packages. You would need to subscribe to Amazon Prime separately.
Q6: Where can I find the Thursday Night Football game schedule?
A6: The official NFL website, the NFL app, and Amazon Prime Video will have the most accurate game schedule for Thursday Night Football.
Q7: If I have DirecTV, can I watch Thursday Night Football on my local FOX channel?
A7: Yes, if Thursday Night Football is being broadcast on FOX, and your DirecTV package includes your local channels, you will be able to watch it on your local FOX affiliate. This was the case for many seasons.
Q8: What if a Thursday Night Football game is on NFL Network?
A8: If your DirecTV package includes the NFL Network, you can watch those specific Thursday Night Football games directly through your DirecTV service.
Q9: Are there any other streaming services that carry Thursday Night Football?
A9: For the games that are exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, no other streaming services will carry them. However, other streaming services might carry games if they are simulcast on networks like NFL Network or FOX.
Q10: What is the best way to stay informed about which channel or service will broadcast TNF each week?
A10: Regularly check the NFL’s official website and the Amazon Prime Video platform for the latest information on the Thursday Night Football broadcast schedule.
In conclusion, while DirecTV has historically been a primary way to watch Thursday Night Football through channels like FOX and NFL Network, the recent shift to Amazon Prime Video exclusivity means that a separate Amazon Prime subscription is now necessary for those specific games. However, by staying informed about the game schedule and knowing your DirecTV package details, you can ensure you don’t miss any of the action.