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Perhaps the older generation who are hesitant to embrace the streaming revolution have a point. This was the sentiment I felt after my initial experience with NFL+, the National Football League’s newly launched streaming service. Announced in July and released in time for the 2022 preseason, NFL+ offers football fans the opportunity to subscribe for a monthly fee in exchange for access to live games on their preferred streaming device.
Cost of NFL+ Streaming Service
NFL+ has two subscription tiers – a basic $4.99 per month option and a “premium” $9.99 per month option. Here are the features included with both tiers:
- Live preseason games from outside your local market on all devices
- Live local market regular season and playoff games on a phone or tablet
- Live audio broadcasts of every game, regardless of location
- An on-demand library of NFL programming
For an additional $5 per month with NFL+ Premium, subscribers also gain access to full and condensed game replays, as well as a “coaches film” view of games without ads. While this may seem appealing to die-hard football fans without cable, the current performance issues with NFL+ leave much to be desired.
Streaming NFL Games with NFL+
All NFL+ streams are accessible through the NFL app, available on Android, iOS, Chromecast, and Roku. It’s important to note that the app can be used for free without NFL+ to access game scores, stats, and some videos. However, unlocking game streams with NFL+ reveals the app’s lackluster usability.
My experience streaming preseason games using the NFL app on a Chromecast with Google TV was hindered by various issues. The app’s navigation was sluggish, with delays in response time and frequent stalling. Moreover, the frame rate capped at 30 frames per second, resulting in a noticeable difference from traditional TV broadcasts of sports events.
Despite some minor quality issues, the overall viewing experience with NFL+ was average at best. It’s clear that the NFL’s venture into the streaming business has room for improvement, especially in terms of performance and user experience.
Amazon’s NFL Streaming Experience: A Comparison
Amazon Prime Video vs NFL+
Amazon has become the exclusive home of Thursday Night Football, offering a vastly improved viewing experience compared to the NFL app. The games on Prime Video are broadcast at a smooth 60 frames per second, providing a high-quality picture at 1080p resolution. The stream loads quickly with minimal buffering, and viewers can easily access real-time stats during the game. However, it’s important to note that Amazon only broadcasts one game per week, while NFL+ offers access to several games every Sunday.
Is NFL+ Worth It?
While NFL+ may have its merits for out-of-market preseason games, the overall viewing experience falls short compared to traditional TV. Despite a lower price point, the service lacks the polish and convenience of watching games on television. For regular and postseason matchups, investing in an HD TV antenna to access local channels may provide a more satisfying viewing experience.
