Yes, you can watch NFL football on Sling TV, but your access depends on the specific games and channels. Sling TV offers a way to catch a significant portion of NFL action, especially through its various channel packages, allowing you to watch NFL games on Sling.
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Navigating NFL Football on Sling TV
For many football fans, catching all the NFL action is paramount. Sling TV, a popular live TV streaming service, presents an attractive option for those looking to stream games without a traditional cable subscription. But the question remains: how comprehensive is Sling TV’s NFL coverage? This guide will delve deep into how you can watch NFL on Sling TV, dissecting the channel lineups, package options, and any limitations you might encounter. Whether you’re eager to tune into Sling TV Sunday Night Football, Sling TV Monday Night Football, or any other game, this comprehensive breakdown will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions.
Sling TV NFL: What Channels Will You Need?
To effectively watch NFL football on Sling TV, you first need to identify the primary broadcast networks that carry NFL games. These typically include:
- CBS: Primarily airs Sunday afternoon games featuring AFC teams.
- FOX: Primarily airs Sunday afternoon games featuring NFC teams.
- NBC: Broadcasts Sling TV Sunday Night Football.
- ESPN: Airs Sling TV Monday Night Football.
- NFL Network: Offers a variety of live games, documentaries, and analysis throughout the week.
- Amazon Prime Video: Streams Thursday Night Football exclusively.
Sling TV’s ability to provide access to these channels is crucial for a complete NFL viewing experience.
Sling TV’s Core Packages and NFL Channels
Sling TV operates on a tiered system with two main base packages: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. Many users opt for a combination of both, known as Sling Orange + Blue. The NFL channels available will vary significantly between these base packages and any add-on options.
Sling Orange
Sling Orange is geared more towards sports and entertainment, including:
- ESPN: This is a major win for football fans as it grants access to Sling TV Monday Night Football games.
- ESPN2: Offers additional college football and NFL analysis.
- NFL Network: (Often available as an add-on, but crucial for wider NFL content).
- TNT: While not a primary NFL channel, it’s part of the Orange package and offers other sports content.
Sling Orange focuses on a single stream, meaning you can only watch on one device at a time.
Sling Blue
Sling Blue is designed for a more general audience, including a strong emphasis on local channels. For NFL fans, its key offerings are:
- FOX: Access to a significant portion of Sunday afternoon games.
- NBC: Essential for Sling TV Sunday Night Football.
- NFL Network: (Again, often an add-on, but vital for comprehensive NFL viewing).
- Local Channels: Depending on your location, Sling Blue can include your local FOX and NBC affiliates. This is critical for watching local NFL games.
Sling Blue allows for multiple streams, typically on three devices simultaneously.
Sling Orange + Blue
Combining Sling Orange and Sling Blue gives you the most comprehensive access to the channels necessary for watching a wide range of NFL games on Sling. This bundle includes all the channels from both Orange and Blue, providing access to ESPN, FOX, NBC, and other sports-focused networks. This is generally the recommended package for dedicated NFL fans using Sling TV.
Essential Add-Ons for Sling TV Football Fans
Beyond the base packages, Sling TV offers various add-ons that can enhance your Sling TV football experience. The most important for NFL fans is the Sling TV sports package.
The Sling TV Sports Extra Package
The Sling TV sports package, often called “Sports Extra,” is where you’ll find channels that supplement your NFL viewing, especially for those looking to catch out-of-market games or a broader spectrum of football content. Depending on whether you subscribe to Sling Orange or Sling Blue, there are different versions of the Sports Extra package:
- Sports Extra (for Orange): Typically includes channels like NFL Network, ACC Network, SEC Network, and more. This is a crucial addition for Sling TV NFL enthusiasts, as it brings NFL Network directly into your lineup.
- Sports Extra (for Blue): Usually includes channels like NFL RedZone, beIN SPORTS, Golf Channel, and others. While NFL RedZone is fantastic for fantasy football and in-game action, it doesn’t broadcast full games. However, NFL Network is often available in the Blue version of Sports Extra as well, or as a separate add-on.
It’s essential to check the current channel lineups for Sling TV’s Sports Extra packages as they can change. This add-on significantly expands your ability to watch NFL Sling.
Specific NFL Games and Sling TV Access
Let’s break down how Sling TV aligns with the primary NFL broadcasts:
Sling TV Sunday Night Football
To watch Sling TV Sunday Night Football, you absolutely need access to NBC. This channel is included in the Sling Blue package. Therefore, if you subscribe to Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue, you will be able to watch Sunday Night Football, provided your local NBC affiliate is carried by Sling TV in your area.
Sling TV Monday Night Football
For Sling TV Monday Night Football, ESPN is the exclusive broadcaster. Since ESPN is a cornerstone of the Sling Orange package, subscribing to Sling Orange or Sling Orange + Blue will give you access to Monday Night Football.
Thursday Night Football
Thursday Night Football has been a bit more complex in recent years. While it has aired on NFL Network, FOX, and Amazon Prime Video at different times, Sling TV can provide access to some of these.
- NFL Network: Available through add-on packages, allowing you to catch games broadcast on this channel.
- FOX: Included in the Sling Blue package, so you can watch Thursday games that air on FOX.
- Amazon Prime Video: Sling TV does not directly offer Amazon Prime Video. You would need a separate Amazon Prime subscription to stream Thursday Night Football exclusively on that platform.
Saturday NFL Games
College football often takes over Saturday afternoons. While Sling TV doesn’t typically carry the primary Saturday NFL games (which are rare and usually exclusive to NFL Network or CBS/FOX in select situations), its sports packages do offer a wide array of college football content that many NFL fans also enjoy.
Out-of-Market Sunday Afternoon Games
This is where Sling TV can be a bit more challenging. CBS and FOX broadcast regional Sunday afternoon games. If your local CBS or FOX affiliate is showing a game that doesn’t involve your local team, you won’t be able to watch it through Sling TV’s local channel offerings.
- NFL Network: While it doesn’t broadcast live out-of-market games in the same way as CBS or FOX, NFL Network does show some international games and replays.
- NFL RedZone: Available in the Sling TV sports package for Blue subscribers, NFL RedZone is fantastic for fantasy players as it flips to the touchdown from every game. However, it does not broadcast full games.
For a full slate of out-of-market games, services like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV are often considered more comprehensive as they tend to carry more local affiliates nationally. However, Sling TV offers a more budget-friendly approach if your primary goal is Sling TV live NFL broadcasts of nationally televised games and perhaps your local team.
Comparing Sling TV to Other Streaming Services for NFL
When considering Sling TV streaming NFL, it’s helpful to see how it stacks up against competitors.
| Feature | Sling Orange | Sling Blue | Sling Orange + Blue | YouTube TV | Hulu + Live TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Channels (FOX, CBS, NBC) | No | Yes (location dependent) | Yes (location dependent) | Yes (most major markets) | Yes (most major markets) |
| ESPN | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NFL Network | Add-on (Sports Extra) | Add-on (Sports Extra) | Add-on (Sports Extra) | Yes | Yes |
| NFL RedZone | Not typically included | Add-on (Sports Extra) | Add-on (Sports Extra) | Add-on | Add-on |
| Sunday Night Football (NBC) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Monday Night Football (ESPN) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Thursday Night Football (FOX) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Thursday Night Football (NFLN) | Add-on (Sports Extra) | Add-on (Sports Extra) | Add-on (Sports Extra) | Yes | Yes |
| Out-of-Market Games | Limited | Limited | Limited | Yes (via local affiliates) | Yes (via local affiliates) |
| Price | Lower | Lower | Mid-range | Higher | Higher |
Pros of Sling TV for NFL Fans:
- Affordability: Sling TV is often one of the most budget-friendly live TV streaming services, making it an attractive option for those on a tighter budget.
- Flexibility: You can often sign up for a month or two and cancel if your needs change, making it ideal for catching a specific part of the season.
- Core Games Covered: You can catch Sling TV Sunday Night Football and Sling TV Monday Night Football with the right package.
- NFL Network Access: With the Sports Extra add-on, you can get NFL Network and potentially NFL RedZone, significantly boosting your Sling TV football experience.
Cons of Sling TV for NFL Fans:
- Local Channel Dependence: Access to FOX and CBS for Sunday games is dependent on your location and Sling TV’s carriage agreements for those specific affiliates. This can be a major drawback if you’re in a market where Sling TV doesn’t carry your local channels.
- Out-of-Market Game Limitations: Unlike some competitors, Sling TV does not offer a solution for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games through its base packages or most common add-ons.
- Add-on Necessity: To get the most out of Sling TV NFL, you’ll likely need to invest in add-on packages, which increases the overall cost.
- Single Stream (Orange): If you have multiple NFL fans in your household who want to watch different games simultaneously, the single stream on Sling Orange can be a significant limitation.
Setting Up Sling TV for NFL Football
Getting started with Sling TV is straightforward.
How to Sign Up
- Visit the Sling TV Website: Go to sling.com.
- Choose Your Package: Select either Sling Orange, Sling Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue. Consider your primary needs for NFL games on Sling.
- Add Extras: Browse the available add-on packages, particularly the Sling TV sports package, to ensure you have NFL Network and other desired channels.
- Create an Account: Provide your email, password, and billing information.
- Download the App: Sling TV offers apps for various devices, including smart TVs, streaming sticks (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV), game consoles, smartphones, and computers. Download the app on your preferred device.
Device Compatibility
Sling TV is widely compatible. You can watch NFL Sling on:
- Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio, etc.)
- Streaming Devices (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast)
- Gaming Consoles (Xbox One)
- Computers (via web browser)
- Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)
Managing Your Subscription
Once you’re a subscriber, you can manage your plan, add or remove extras, and update your billing information through your Sling TV account portal online.
Maximizing Your Sling TV NFL Experience
To ensure you don’t miss a single snap, consider these tips:
- Check Local Channel Availability: Before subscribing, verify that Sling TV carries your local FOX and NBC affiliates in your area. This is crucial for Sunday afternoon games and Sling TV Sunday Night Football.
- Plan Your Packages: If you’re a serious NFL fan, the Sling Orange + Blue package combined with the Sports Extra add-on is likely your best bet for comprehensive Sling TV live NFL coverage.
- Utilize the DVR: Sling TV offers cloud DVR storage. You can record games you might miss or want to rewatch.
- Stay Updated on Channel Lineups: Sling TV occasionally makes changes to its channel offerings and pricing. Keep an eye on their official website for the latest information regarding NFL channels Sling TV offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sling TV NFL
Q1: Can I watch all NFL games on Sling TV?
No, Sling TV does not provide access to all NFL games. You can watch nationally televised games (Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, some Thursday Night Football) and games broadcast on your local FOX and CBS affiliates. Out-of-market Sunday afternoon games are generally not available.
Q2: Does Sling TV have NFL Network?
Yes, NFL Network is typically available through the Sling TV sports package (Sports Extra) as an add-on for both Sling Orange and Sling Blue subscribers. This is a key channel for broader NFL content.
Q3: Can I watch Sunday Night Football on Sling TV?
Yes, you can watch Sling TV Sunday Night Football as long as you subscribe to Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue, which includes NBC. Ensure your local NBC affiliate is carried by Sling TV in your area.
Q4: Can I watch Monday Night Football on Sling TV?
Yes, Sling TV Monday Night Football is available if you subscribe to Sling Orange or Sling Orange + Blue, as these packages include ESPN.
Q5: Does Sling TV offer NFL RedZone?
NFL RedZone is typically available as part of the Sports Extra add-on for Sling Blue subscribers. It’s a popular channel for fantasy football enthusiasts but does not broadcast full games.
Q6: Is Sling TV good for watching local NFL games?
Sling TV can be good for watching local NFL games if your local FOX and CBS affiliates are carried in your Sling TV package (Sling Blue or Orange + Blue). However, this availability varies by location.
Q7: How does Sling TV’s NFL coverage compare to other streaming services?
Sling TV is generally more affordable than services like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. However, those services often offer more comprehensive local channel coverage and a wider array of channels, making them better choices for those who want to watch NFL Sling games that are out-of-market or broadcast on less common networks. For Sling TV streaming NFL, the focus is often on the nationally televised games and the flexibility of its pricing.
In conclusion, while Sling TV may not offer every single NFL game, it provides a solid and affordable way to watch NFL football on Sling TV, especially if your focus is on the marquee national broadcasts like Sling TV Sunday Night Football and Sling TV Monday Night Football. By carefully selecting the right packages and add-ons, you can successfully watch NFL Sling and enjoy a significant portion of the football season.