How much does it cost to watch football on Apple TV?

Football fans today have more options than ever when it comes to streaming NFL games without a traditional cable package. With the growing popularity of streaming devices like Apple TV, it‘s easier than ever to cut the cord while still being able to watch your favorite teams. But between all the different streaming subscriptions, packages, and add-ons available, the costs can quickly add up.

So how much does it really cost to stream football through your Apple TV? What are the best options for NFL fans on a budget? This comprehensive guide will break down all your Apple TV football streaming choices, from the fully loaded premium packages to the free ad-supported apps, so you can find the right fit for your fandom and wallet.

What is Apple TV?

Before diving into costs, it helps to understand exactly what Apple TV is. Apple TV is a digital media streaming device developed by Apple. It plugs into your TV‘s HDMI port and connects to your home WiFi network to provide access to streaming content.

The main way to watch video through Apple TV is via the Apple TV app. This app comes pre-installed on Apple TV devices and iPhones/iPads. It allows you to access and stream from a variety of different streaming services and channels through one hub.

In addition to aggregating content from third-parties, the Apple TV app also provides access to Apple‘s own streaming service, Apple TV+. This subscription service provides access to Apple‘s original movies and shows.

Apple TV+ is available both as a standalone subscription and bundled with other Apple services like Apple Music and iCloud storage through Apple One subscription bundles.

NFL on Apple TV

When it comes to professional football, Apple TV provides a few different options for streaming NFL games.

NFL+

The NFL‘s own streaming service, NFL+, is available on Apple TV through the NFL app. NFL+ offers live local and primetime regular season games, live game audio, and on-demand game replays.

There are two tiers of NFL+:

– NFL+ ($4.99/month or $39.99/year): Includes live local and primetime games on mobile devices and game replays.

– NFL+ Premium ($9.99/month or $79.99/year): Adds full game replays and the All-22 coaches film angle on connected TV devices like Apple TV.

So at a minimum, you can access some live regular season NFL games through Apple TV for $4.99/month with NFL+, but replays are limited to phones and tablets. To get full replays on your TV through Apple TV, you‘d need to upgrade to NFL+ Premium for $9.99/month.

Keep in mind NFL+ does not include any out of market Sunday afternoon games. Those are still only available through NFL Sunday Ticket.

NFL Sunday Ticket

For the maximum NFL game coverage, many fans turn to NFL Sunday Ticket. This package from DIRECTV includes live out-of-market Sunday afternoon games that you wouldn‘t otherwise be able to view in your local market.

NFL Sunday Ticket has traditionally been available to DIRECTV satellite subscribers, but they do offer an online-only package you can access through Apple TV called NFLSundayTicket.TV:

– NFLSundayTicket.TV: $293.96 for the 2022 season / $73.49 per month

So if you want every out of market NFL game, Sunday Ticket provides the most comprehensive coverage, but at a hefty price. Keep in mind Sunday Ticket is subject to local blackout restrictions.

Free NFL Streaming Options

There are also a few free options for streaming NFL games through Apple TV:

– Yahoo Sports app – Shows local and primetime games available in your area for free.

– NFL app – Provides free access to local and primetime games on mobile devices only. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your TV through AirPlay to view on a bigger screen.

These free options are limited compared to paid packages like NFL+ and Sunday Ticket but are handy for the occasional football fix.

Other Sports Streaming Services

In addition to NFL-focused packages, Apple TV also provides access to general sports streaming services that cover multiple leagues and sports:

– ESPN+: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
– Peacock Premium: $4.99/month (with ads)
– Paramount+: $4.99/month or $49.99/year (with ads)
– Sling TV (Orange/Blue combo): $50/month

These all provide access to live sports from a variety of leagues, from NFL and MLB to soccer and golf. Sling TV offers the most comprehensive live sports coverage across ESPN, TNT, TBS, and NFL Network.

Watching Local NFL Games

One limitation of streaming NFL games through Apple TV is access to local team games and broadcasts. Geographic restrictions can block you from streaming local games.

If you want to stream games from Fox, CBS, NBC or other local channels, one option is adding an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to your setup. Connect the antenna to your Apple TV or to an OTA DVR, and you can record and watch local broadcasts, including NFL games, through the Apple TV interface.

An OTA antenna costs around $10 to $150 depending on type and range. When combined with streaming options, it helps ensure access to local broadcasts for a complete NFL streaming setup.

Apple TV+

While not specifically oriented toward sports, Apple‘s own subscription streaming service, Apple TV+, is included with some streaming packages or available standalone:

– Apple TV+: $6.99/month

An Apple TV+ subscription provides access to Apple‘s original shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Mythic Quest, and CODA exclusively for Apple devices like Apple TV. It does not include live sports coverage.

If you want the full Apple ecosystem, bundling Apple TV+ with services like Apple Music and enhanced iCloud storage through an Apple One subscription can save you money. But Apple TV+ itself is not required just for sports streaming on Apple TV.

Cost Comparison

Compared to traditional cable packages, streaming through Apple TV can provide significant cost savings for football fans. But costs add up quickly if you want access to all NFL games.

Here‘s a cost comparison of streaming vs. cable to help give you an idea of potential savings:

Traditional cable TV:

– 120+ channel cable package: $100+/month
– Premium channels like NFL RedZone: $15+/month extra
– Equipment, HD, DVR fees: $10 to $30+/month
– Total cost for season: $1,200+

Apple TV Streaming:

– Apple TV 4K device: $149 one-time cost
– Internet plan starting at $40/month
– NFL+, ESPN+, antenna for local games: $25/month
– Total cost for season: $500+

Streaming provides significantly more flexibility to choose only the sports you want to watch. With cable TV, you pay for hundreds of channels just to get the sports you actually want to watch.

Cheapest Ways to Stream NFL

If you‘re looking to stream NFL games through Apple TV on the cheapest budget possible, here are a few options:

– Use the Yahoo Sports app and NFL app to watch local and primetime games for free. You only need an internet connection.

– Get an OTA antenna for under $20 to watch local broadcasts. Combine with the free NFL and Yahoo streaming options.

– Subscribe to NFL+ for $4.99/month to get select live games and replays on mobile devices. Airplay from your phone to Apple TV.

– Check if you already have access to streaming services like ESPN+ or Peacock Premium through your existing subscriptions, since they don‘t require an additional fee.

– Split the costs with friends by sharing logins for services like NFL+ that allow simultaneous streams.

Pros and Cons of Apple TV for NFL Streaming

**Pros**

– Less expensive than cable
– Flexibility to choose only the games you want
– Access to streaming services like NFL+, ESPN+ in one place
– Can be combined with OTA antenna for local games
– Apple TV+ provides high-quality original programming

**Cons**

– No option for standalone Sunday Ticket without DIRECTV
– Local blackout restrictions on live games
– Limited comparison to cable for national game coverage
– Multiple services required for full NFL access

While streaming provides more choice and flexibility compared to cable, traditional pay TV still offers the most comprehensive national NFL game coverage across multiple channels. With streaming, you have to cobble together multiple services to get the same coverage cable provides in one package.

But for casual football fans or those looking to save money, Apple TV can provide an affordable way to stream NFL games through a mix of paid packages, apps, antennas and free options. While not cheap, streaming through Apple TV costs much less than a full cable package just for the sports you actually want to watch.

The Bottom Line

NFL streaming options on Apple TV range from free (with limitations) to the $300+ Sunday Ticket package for all out-of-market games. Most fans can find a middle ground by mixing a few affordable paid services like NFL+ with free apps and an OTA antenna for local broadcasts. While streaming can‘t completely replicate the experience of cable just yet, Apple TV provides football fans a flexible and cost-effective way to cut the cord but still catch all the NFL action.Are you a football fan wondering how you can save money by cutting the cord but still stream all your favorite NFL games through your Apple TV? As streaming packages multiply and costs add up, figuring out your best Apple TV football setup can be daunting.

But with this comprehensive guide breaking down all the streaming services, packages, devices and antenna options for NFL fans, you‘ll understand exactly how much it costs to stream football with Apple TV – and how to build your ideal setup on a budget!

Apple TV Overview

First, a quick primer on Apple TV itself. The Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K are small boxes from Apple that connect to your TV to enable streaming through the Apple TV app.

This handy app aggregates content and subscriptions from a variety of streaming providers. It also provides access to Apple‘s own original content through their Apple TV+ streaming service.

Apple TV+ is available as:

– Standalone service: $6.99/month
– Included with Apple One bundles

An Apple TV+ subscription is not required to stream sports through the Apple TV device. But it does provide high-quality original programming to complement your NFL streaming.

Now that you understand the basics of Apple TV, let‘s explore your best options for streaming live NFL games.

NFL Streaming Packages

There are three main ways to stream live NFL games through Apple TV:

NFL+

The NFL‘s own streaming service provides live regular season games on mobile and connected TV devices like Apple TV. There are two main tiers:

– NFL+: $4.99/month or $39.99/year

– Live local & primetime games
– Game replays on mobile devices
– Live game audio

– NFL+ Premium: $9.99/month or $79.99/year

– Adds full game replays & coach‘s film on TV
– Condensed game replays
– All benefits of regular NFL+

NFL+ provides the cheapest way to stream live NFL games through Apple TV. It‘s best for fans of a local team who want a budget option to catch their team‘s CBS/Fox games live. But it lacks national game coverage.

Sunday Ticket

For the maximum NFL game coverage, Sunday Ticket shows live out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. Packages include:

– DIRECTV Sunday Ticket: Included for DIRECTV satellite subscribers

– NFLSundayTicket.TV: $293.96/season or $73.49/month

– Available without DIRECTV as streaming-only package
– Requires student verification or living in metro area

Sunday Ticket carries a hefty price tag but provides the most complete live NFL streaming coverage. Keep in mind local blackout rules still apply.

NFL Game Pass International

NFL Game Pass lets international fans stream live regular season, playoff, and Super Bowl games.

– $180.99/season or $36/month

While geographically restricted in the US, Game Pass provides full live game coverage if you can safely access it through a VPN.

Based on your needs and budget, choose the best package for your NFL streaming. NFL+ provides a budget live streaming option, while Sunday Ticket offers the most comprehensive coverage.

Other NFL Streaming Options

Beyond the major packages, Apple TV also provides these additional options for streaming NFL games:

Free Streaming

– Yahoo Sports app – Local & primetime games
– NFL app – Local & primetime on mobile devices

While limited, these free options are handy for the occasional game.

General Sports Streaming Services

– ESPN+: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
– Peacock Premium: $4.99/month with ads
– Paramount+: $4.99/month or $49.99/year with ads
– Sling TV Orange/Blue: $50/month

These provide NFL and multi-sport coverage. Sling TV offers the most comprehensive live sports portfolio.

OTA Antenna

For under $20 to $150, an over-the-air antenna can provide access to local broadcasts including CBS, Fox, NBC games.

Combining free or cheap streaming with an OTA antenna gives you a complete local & national NFL streaming package on a budget!

Pros and Cons of Streaming NFL on Apple TV

Before deciding on your NFL streaming strategy, consider these Apple TV pros and cons:

Pros

– Less expensive than cable
– Mix and match your preferred sports
– Access to tons of non-sports entertainment
– Flexibility with no contracts
– Stream on your schedule – no appointment TV
– HD quality and reliable performance
– Apple TV+ originals included in some bundles

Cons

– No Sunday Ticket option without DIRECTV
– Local blackout restrictions
– Need multiple services for complete NFL access
– Limited national game coverage vs cable
– Requires solid high-speed internet
– Need streaming knowledge to setup
– Hardware and internet service costs

The main downsides of streaming NFL games through Apple TV are the inability to get standalone Sunday Ticket, local blackouts, and the need for multiple services to match cable coverage.

But for many fans, the flexibility, cost savings, and HD streaming quality make Apple TV an appealing cord-cutting option compared to expensive cable packages.

Streaming vs. Cable Cost Comparison

To help you estimate your potential savings, here is a streaming vs. cable cost breakdown for NFL fans spanning casual to die-hard:

Based on 2022 prices, streaming provides an average savings of 50% compared to cable costs for NFL fans. Savings are even greater for casual fans.

Your exact costs vary based your desired games, streaming services and internet rates. But Apple TV streaming can save you hundreds per year compared to expensive cable TV.

Optimizing Your NFL Streaming Setup

To get the most out of streaming NFL games through your Apple TV, keep these tips in mind:

– Have at least 15-25 Mbps internet speeds for smooth HD streaming
– Use ethernet over WiFi for most reliable connectivity
– Invest in a solid OTA antenna to complement streaming
– Consider bundled services like Apple One to save money
– Compare streaming devices like Roku and Fire TV for best value
– Use an iPhone or iPad as a secondary screen with AirPlay
– Invite friends over for game day to split costs

With some savvy setup decisions, you can maximize your NFL streaming enjoyment and minimize costs.

NFL Fans Are Embracing Streaming in Big Numbers

You‘re not alone in streaming NFL games through Apple TV instead of cable.

According to Deloitte‘s 2022 Digital Media Trends survey, **90% of NFL fans now stream games online.** Of NFL streamers:

– 37% use a connected TV device like Apple TV
– 62% prefer streaming over cable
– 47% stream specifically to cancel cable

As quality improves and options expand, streaming NFL games through Apple TV and other devices is becoming the new normal for football fans.

The Bottom Line

While cable still offers the most comprehensive national NFL game coverage, Apple TV provides football fans a flexible and cost-effective alternative. With the right mix of streaming packages, antenna, and devices, you can save 50% or more compared to expensive cable bundles.

NFL on Apple TV gives you options like NFL+, Sunday Ticket, ESPN+ and free apps so you only pay for the football you want. And you can always cancel when the season ends – no contracts.

So cut the cable cord and embrace the future of NFL streaming with Apple TV. With this guide‘s tips, you can build the perfect customized streaming setup just for you and your budget.