Not hooking up an antenna is a choice. Those games are free for anyone who wants them to be free, unless they live somewhere geographically obstructed from the signal.
Here's the thing though, in order to get the local "free" OTA channels on Paramount+, ESPN+.... you need a sub to one of the cable/cable alternative providers. For npw ESPN+ doesn't allow access to the ESPN Family of Cable networks without a sub to a cable/cable alternative provider. The same is true for Paramount+ and your local CBS affiliate. Local NBC access requires a Peacock Premium Plus sub.
For streaming of NFL games on local OTA affiliates, the cheapest option is the NFL+ app for $6.99/month. It carries the network games based on the local affiliates for your location and also has NFL Network. A more expensive premium option adds RedZone.
That's my point for cord cutters. Since they do not have a cable/cable alternative provider, they have to pay to get Paramount+/ESPN+/Peacock for the CBS/ABC/NBC.
You completely miss the point!!! Simply having ESPN+, Paramount+, and/or Peacock won't get you access to the free OTA content. You also need to have either an existing sub to a cable/cable alternative provider or you need to pay for the premium level offering of the Paramount+ and Peacock. Or you need Hulu+ Live TV for ESPN and ABC. This Fall you'll be able to get all of ESPN's content through the ESPN App but it'll cost you $30/month.
If this is still talking about how to get the NFL's OTA games, an antenna for free (after equipment purchase) or NFL+ for $6.99/month.
Please note the bolded word I used for Paramount+/ESPN+/Peacock. Huh. I would not have expected the OTAs to allow the NFL to stream their games, but if that's the way it'll be, definitely much better cost wise than paying for the OTA's streaming apps.
Lol this is what people wanted. Get ready to pay for 8 streaming services to watch NFL. I'll just pirate everything.
That's pretty much what's happening in Yurp. And then the people that do subscribe pay extra to cover the losses from pirating, which in turn leads to more pirates.
Strange, NFL Gamepass in Colombia costs around 100 bucks for all games, zero restrictions. It is easier to watch abroad than on the US. At least that was last year, I don't know if it has changed for this year.
Of course, as it's not as popular. I can't think of anyone I know in the UK that watches NFL. My friend and I went through a phase in the 1980s.
Xfinity Customers Can Now Enjoy Sunday Night Soccer on MLS Season Pass for Free https://t.co/YBy0i84JJT— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) May 15, 2025
"MLS announces that Comcast cable customers with X1 boxes can now watch Sunday night games for free on TV and the Xfinity stream app, no MLS Season Pass subscription required." https://bsky.app/profile/jtannenwald.bsky.social/post/3lp7ozlvmcc2z (In case the Twitter integration fails)
I think this all sort of makes sense? There is simply more value for the product in the home country, so there are higher prices and more competition for showing?
It's what was happening with cable before. People pay extra for the sports stuff they don't watch because the networks bullied it into packages.
For P+ that is currently not the case. It uses location detection to determine your local CBS affiliate for the linear channels feature (works on my android type phone and on my firetv, I have no cable services).
You need to have a paramount + w/ showtime sub. https://help.paramountplus.com/s/article/PD-How-do-I-watch-Live-TV-from-my-local-CBS-station You can watch your local, live CBS station by subscribing to the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan.
When Max added discovery they didn't increase their price. Why is Paramount scamming with their merger?
Perhaps you’re atypical? I’m amazed how many radio/tv/podcast footy pundits these days talk about how they watch NFL. This ain’t the 70’s or 80’s anymore!
Maybe not atypical, just not representative of an entire large country. I wouldn't be shocked if the NFL was more popular in England than soccer is in the USA.