Watching NFL games has never been easier with YouTube TV, but there are some important details you need to know to catch all the action. Let me walk you through exactly how to maximize your football viewing experience.
Understanding YouTube TV’s NFL Coverage
YouTube TV offers an impressive lineup of NFL games through various channels, including local CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates, plus ESPN and NFL Network. But here’s the thing – no single service gives you absolutely everything, and YouTube TV is no exception. Let me break down what you actually get.
Local Games and Prime Time Coverage
Your local CBS, FOX, and NBC stations will show all your regional games, plus Sunday Night Football on NBC. Thursday Night Football is now exclusively on Amazon Prime, so you’ll need a separate subscription for those games. ESPN brings you Monday Night Football, which is included in your YouTube TV subscription.
NFL RedZone – The Game Changer
Here’s a pro tip – add the Sports Plus add-on package to your YouTube TV subscription. For about $11 extra per month, you’ll get NFL RedZone, which is absolutely essential for catching every touchdown from every Sunday afternoon game. I personally love RedZone for those packed Sunday schedules when multiple games are happening simultaneously.
Maximizing Your Viewing Experience
To make sure you don’t miss any games, set up your DVR feature right away. YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR storage, so you can record every NFL game of the season. I recommend setting up team-specific recordings rather than just recording “NFL games” – this ensures you don’t miss any rescheduled games or special broadcasts.
Working Around Blackouts
Sometimes you’ll run into local blackout restrictions, especially for in-market games. The best way to handle this is to combine YouTube TV with NFL+, the league’s streaming service, which gives you access to local and primetime games on your mobile device.
Cost Considerations
Let’s talk money – YouTube TV’s base package runs about $73 monthly, which includes most NFL games. Add the Sports Plus package for RedZone, and you’re looking at around $84 monthly. While it might seem steep, remember you’re getting a lot more than just NFL coverage – you have access to 100+ channels and unlimited DVR storage.
The key to getting the most value is timing your subscription right. You might consider starting your subscription in September and canceling after the Super Bowl, since YouTube TV doesn’t require long-term commitments.
Remember, while YouTube TV offers extensive NFL coverage, combining it with NFL+ ($5/month) and Amazon Prime for Thursday games will give you the most complete NFL viewing experience possible. It’s not the cheapest solution, but for die-hard football fans who want reliable, high-quality access to most games, it’s one of the best options available.
