In a world where streaming dominates entertainment, what is NFL Plus and how does it fit into the football fan’s toolkit? NFL Plus is the National Football League’s own streaming service, offering a convenient and affordable way to access live games, classic matches, and exclusive content right on your mobile devices. This comprehensive guide dives deep into NFL Plus, exploring its features, benefits, limitations, and how it compares to other NFL viewing options.
Understanding NFL Plus: A Breakdown
what is nfl plus
NFL Plus provides two tiers of service: NFL Plus and NFL Plus Premium. Here’s a breakdown of what each offers:
NFL Plus:
- Live local and primetime regular season and postseason games: Catch your local team’s games and national broadcasts like Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football, but only on your phone or tablet.
- Live out-of-market preseason games: Watch preseason games from around the league, regardless of your location.
- Live game audio: Enjoy live audio broadcasts for every game, including home, away, and national calls.
- NFL Network: Access live NFL Network programming, including news, analysis, and documentaries.
- NFL library programming on-demand: Dive into a vast library of NFL Films content, documentaries, and classic games.
- Ad-free game highlights: Catch up on the action with condensed game replays without interruptions.
NFL Plus Premium:
- All the features of NFL Plus
- NFL RedZone: Experience the excitement of RedZone, with live look-ins at every scoring drive across the league.
- Full and condensed game replays: Rewatch every game in its entirety or catch up with condensed replays.
Why Choose NFL Plus?
NFL Plus caters to a specific type of football fan, offering unique advantages:
- Affordability: Compared to other NFL viewing options like NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL Plus is significantly more budget-friendly.
- Mobile Convenience: Perfect for fans who want to catch games on the go, whether commuting, traveling, or simply away from their TV.
- Preseason Access: Provides extensive coverage of preseason games, ideal for die-hard fans who want to see their team’s early development.
- Live Game Audio: Offers a great alternative for those who prefer listening to games while multitasking or on the move.
- NFL Films Content: Provides access to a wealth of NFL Films programming, perfect for football history buffs.
Limitations of NFL Plus
While NFL Plus has its advantages, it’s important to be aware of its limitations:
- Mobile Only for Live Regular Season Games: You can only stream live regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet. You cannot watch them on your TV.
- No Out-of-Market Regular Season Games: Unlike NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL Plus does not offer live out-of-market regular season games.
- Limited Device Compatibility: Streaming is limited to smartphones and tablets. You can’t cast to your TV from your phone.
Who is NFL Plus Ideal For?
NFL Plus is a good fit for:
- Casual fans: Those who want to catch their local team’s games and primetime matchups without a hefty cable or satellite subscription.
- On-the-go viewers: Fans who want to watch games while commuting, traveling, or away from home.
- Preseason enthusiasts: Those who want comprehensive coverage of preseason games.
- Budget-conscious fans: Those seeking an affordable way to access NFL content.
NFL Plus vs. Other NFL Viewing Options
Here’s how NFL Plus compares to other popular ways to watch NFL games:
- NFL Sunday Ticket: Sunday Ticket offers out-of-market Sunday afternoon games, which NFL Plus does not. However, it’s significantly more expensive.
- Cable/Satellite TV: Traditional cable and satellite packages offer comprehensive NFL coverage, but often come with high costs and bundled channels you may not need.
- Antenna: An antenna allows you to watch local channels broadcasting NFL games for free, but you’ll miss out on national broadcasts and out-of-market games.
- Streaming Services: Some streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer NFL channels, but they can be pricey and may not include all the channels you want.
How to Get NFL Plus
Signing up for NFL Plus is easy:
- Visit the NFL Plus website or download the NFL app.
- Choose your desired plan: NFL Plus or NFL Plus Premium.
- Create an account or sign in with your existing NFL account.
- Enter your payment information.
- Start streaming!
Making the Most of NFL Plus
Here are some tips to enhance your NFL Plus experience:
- Download the NFL app: The NFL app provides the best viewing experience with features like game alerts, live tracking, and personalized content.
- Use a stable internet connection: Ensure a reliable Wi-Fi or cellular connection for smooth streaming.
- Explore the NFL Films library: Dive into the extensive collection of documentaries and classic games.
- Listen to live game audio: Use the live audio feature to follow games while multitasking or on the move.
- Check for updates: Keep the NFL app updated to access the latest features and improvements.
The Future of NFL Plus
NFL Plus is still a relatively new service, but it’s constantly evolving. The NFL is likely to continue adding features and content to make it even more appealing to football fans. Keep an eye out for updates and new offerings in the future.
Conclusion
NFL Plus provides a unique and affordable way to experience the excitement of NFL football. While it may not replace traditional cable or satellite TV for all fans, its mobile convenience, preseason access, and exclusive content make it a valuable option for those seeking a flexible and budget-friendly way to stay connected to the game. By understanding its features, limitations, and how it compares to other viewing options, you can decide if NFL Plus is the right choice for your football viewing needs.
