The booze is flowing, the chips are crispy, and the wings are hot. There is only one issue. As your cable bill gets dropped off in the mail, each and every time you wonder if it’s time to move on. Are the high prices worth it? Is there any way to watch the NFL without cable this season?
If that’s the question you find yourself asking this season, then please don’t worry, because you’re in the right place. You can definitely watch the NFL without cable, and while it might not be what you think, you’ll want to pay close attention.
We’ll be showing you how to watch the NFL without cable by using a mix between subscription based methods and Over-the-air antennas (OTA TV). If you’re not familiar with some of the popular subscriptions or OTA antennas, we have your back.
So without holding up the game for you, let’s dive right in, and take a look at how to watch the NFL without cable using:
- Hulu Live TV
- AT&T TV NOW
- FuboTV
- SlingTV
- OTA TV antennas
ESPN
If you want to watch the NFL without cable this season, a majority of you guys and gals probably want to tune into ESPN. ESPN is an excellent channel, and even features plenty of sports news, games, and global coverage. So if you’re someone who wants to make sure they have ESPN, pay close attention to this section.
Hulu Live TV
If you already subscribe to Hulu, then think of this as an added bonus. In addition to plenty of content offered in the form of IPTV, you’ll also be able to watch plenty of live TV as well. Plus, with catchy commercials featuring NFL athletes throwing money around, they must have something to do with football right?
Hulu Live TV is a great choice, because of it’s low cost and plenty of additional content. For only $39.99 per month, you’ll have no problem watching the NFL without cable this football season. Not only is Hulu Live TV good, it’s honestly pretty great.
ESPN is their featured football related channel, so you definitely know there will be no shortage of quality football to keep you entertained this season. Whether its college, NFL news, or live games, Hulu Live TV has your back every step of the way.
With Hulu Live TV, not only do you get the ability to watch the NFL without cable, but you also get the ability to watch up to 51 channels (not including local TV). Additional options are not included, but you’ll be able to subscribe to channels like HBO if the need arises. Not a bad way to ditch cable right?
AT&T TV NOW
If you’ve previously had access to DirectTV NOW, then you’re already one step ahead of the game with AT&T TV Now. AT&T TV Now, as of this past summer, has revamped their previous platform to bring you a much better service.
If you want to watch the NFL without cable, then AT&T TV Now is definitely a great choice.
AT&T TV Now has two different packages (the Plus plan and the Max plan). Luckily, both of these plans will come ready to go with all of the ESPN content you love. As a bit of a side note, AT&T TV Now also comes with a DVR service, so if you want to record your game of the week and bask in the glory all over again that’s a non issue.
The Plus package offers plenty of great content, and you’ll have access to plenty of ESPN content for only $50 per month. If you want access to ESPNU, for an additional $70 a month you’ll be able to find it available in the Max package.
Oh and AT&T TV NOW also comes with HBO, so that’s just some icing on the cake.
Fubo TV
While Fubo TV doesn’t offer ESPN, that’s really only a small issue with the platform. Plus, believe it or not, you’ll still be able to watch NFL Network as well as some additional local channels as well. Fubo TV has a few different packages, and both of them offer a great television experience.
Fubo TV is a great option to watch the NFL without cable, because it provides you with excellent football coverage as well. If you’re someone who is big into watching college prospects, NFL news, and things like the combine and draft, Fubo TV is an excellent option.
Sure, you don’t have ESPN, but once you switch to Fubo TV it will slowly become a thing of the past.
Fubo TV only costs you $49.99 per month, so like the competition, the price point is competitive for the content that if offers.
Plus, unlike some other services, you’ll have access to plenty of local and additional live TV channels as well. Fubo TV is a great way to watch the NFL without cable, but Fubo TV is more than that.
Fubo TV has you covered in every area of sports, and even leads the pack in regard to global based content. When the NFL season ends, which it inevitably will, you’ll still be able to keep up just fine with the rest of the sports world.
Sling TV Orange
Sling TV is a great way to watch the NFL without cable. There are plenty of packages to choose from, and for the best experience, you can even do some mixing and matching.
Plus, not only does Sling TV offer NFL Network, but you’ll also have access to plenty of additional NFL channels like local networks and ESPN.
For the purpose of this post, we’ll be focusing on the Orange package, because that’s where you’ll find most of Sling TV sports related content this season. While Sling TV also offers their Blue package, it’s not a package that’s geared specifically to sports.
Therefore, if you want both, you can combine both packages to get the best results if ditching cable altogether is your main focus.
The Orange package includes plenty of NFL related content, and for $25 per month, it’s pretty hard to beat Sling TV. You’ll be able to choose between NFL Network and ESPN as you please, and at the end of the day, it’s really the best of both worlds.
The Orange package also includes plenty of local networks, so you’re really never be left hanging this football season.
Sling TV is also great, because it offers additional features for those of you that have an OTA antenna. You’ll have access to more localized sports and news, so for $30 per month, you can really have a well balanced viewing experience.
Plus, believe it or not, plenty of popular channels like HBO or Showtime can be added as additional options.
If you do want to additional live TV channels as well, you can combine both packages for only $40 per month. This way, you can even save $10, and end up paying the same price as Hulu Live TV. SlingTV is competitively priced, flexible, and ready to help you watch the NFL without cable.
Using OTA TV antenna to watch the local channels you love
If you’re looking to watch your favorite local channels, then maybe all you need is an OTA antenna. This is due to the fact that OTA antennas do a great job providing you with access to the local networks, and the only cost is a one time purchase.
So let’s take a look at why OTA is a great choice, and take a look at some options that will be more than enough for you to get the job done this season.
How does OTA work exactly? Didn’t that fail like a decade ago?
If you keep up with technology, then you know that cable beat OTA TV many years ago. This is actually where cable came from, and for a decade or so, cable providers really had a choke-hold on television content. Luckily, that’s changed as we approach 2020.
How has this changed?
The boxes that we use for streaming, and the signal that’s transmitted, is already up to 4k standards. Cable no longer has a firm hold over OTA television, and at the end of the day, it’s much better for local networks. The quality is on par, and even beats out cable in this day and age. Therefore, if you want to watch the NFL without cable, going with OTA TV is a great and affordable option for viewing local channels.
Which antennas should I look into?
Now, we don’t want to throw too much at you, so we’ll start slow by showing you two of the best OTA antenna options. One will be for those of you who reside in apartments, and the other will be geared towards homeowners. Who doesn’t like a little variety right?
The Mohu Leaf (indoor option)
If you live in an apartment, or don’t have room to mount an outdoor antenna, why should you miss out? That’s exactly what the Mohu Leaf does best… it includes you. The Mohu Leaf is affordable, and offers plenty of great local channels to watch the NFL without cable.
Some of the features you’ll find in the Mohu Leaf are as follows:
- The ability to stream in 4K quality
- Plenty of cable length (16 feet), to make sure you can mount it in a convenient location
- Antenna is Amplified and made from premium materials
- A great range of up to 65 miles (this is enough to cover a decent grid in most cities)
- It is reversible and paintable on both sides, how is that for customization?
- A good ability to channel out other interference
You can find the Mohu Leaf on Amazon for an incredibly great price!
The Clear Stream OTA antenna (outdoor option)
The Clear Stream antenna is an excellent choice for homeowners, or anyone who has the ability to mount one of these antennas outside or in an attic space.
The Clear Stream is not going to break the bank, and is extremely easy to use and operate. Outdoor antennas tend to provide higher range, and are less susceptible to interference due to mounting flexibility.
Some features you’ll want to know about in the Clear Stream OTA antenna are:
- Easy to mount
- A range of about 75 miles in every single direction
- Every piece of this antenna comes with a warranty
- An F connector that is ready to go at 75ohm
- 4K optimized
- Multidirectional for the best results
You can find the Clear Stream Antenna on Amazon at a price that won’t be beat!
Final notes about OTA TV
While OTA TV is a great way to watch the NFL without cable, you should do a little homework first. Luckily we’ve made real easy here on AntennaJunkies to find the channels available in your area. We’ve put together a page that contains a really awesome TV Station Locator Tool.
Simply type your zip code in (don’t worry no information is saved) and watch the tool populate all the channels in your area. Not only will it give you a channel list, it will show you the signal strength of those channels, and the direction of the antenna towers.
Watch the short YouTube video below to see the tool in action!
The closer you live to a metro area the more channels you’ll have access too. This is why apartment based antennas do a fine job in city based areas. As for homeowners who reside in the country, you’ll likely need a larger antenna to improve your channel options. Check out my article: Best Antennas for Rural Areas
How to watch the NFL without cable – Recap
You don’t need to rely on a cable box to watch what you love this NFL season. More and more people are ditching cable, and at the end of the day, there are plenty of ways to watch the NFL without cable this season.
The NFL might be the only thing holding you to cable, and that’s totally okay. We get it, the NFL is important to you. What we’re trying to show you is something better. A much more affordable way have watch the NFL this season, and a way to watch the NFL without cable.
There are plenty of options that we went over today. OTA TV is great for local channels, because the price is extremely affordable and only a one time purchase. If you’re looking for channels like ESPN or NFL Network, then you might be better off subscribing to services like Sling TV or Fubo TV.
Now that you know the facts, how will you watch the NFL without cable this season?