Thursday Night Football (TNF) has become an integral part of the National Football League (NFL) schedule, offering fans an extra dose of gridiron action during the week. However, with the numerous TV stations and streaming platforms available, it can be confusing to determine which channel carries TNF. In this article, we will delve into the world of Thursday Night Football and explore the various TV stations that broadcast these exciting matchups.
History of Thursday Night Football
Thursday Night Football was first introduced in 2006, with the NFL Network being the primary broadcaster. The games were initially limited to a select few, but the popularity of TNF soon led to an expansion of the schedule. In 2012, the NFL signed a deal with CBS to broadcast a portion of the TNF games, marking the first time that TNF would be televised on a major broadcast network.
Current TV Rights Holders
As of the 2022 NFL season, the TV rights for Thursday Night Football are shared between two major networks: Amazon Prime Video and FOX. Amazon Prime Video has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast TNF games, with FOX serving as the secondary broadcaster.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video has been broadcasting TNF games since the 2017 season, initially sharing the rights with CBS and NBC. However, in 2022, Amazon Prime Video secured the exclusive rights to TNF, making it the sole broadcaster of these games. Amazon Prime Video offers TNF games to its subscribers, providing an additional incentive for fans to sign up for the streaming service.
FOX
FOX has been involved in broadcasting TNF games since the 2018 season, initially sharing the rights with Amazon Prime Video. Although Amazon Prime Video has secured the exclusive rights to TNF, FOX still broadcasts a limited number of TNF games, typically those that are not exclusive to Amazon Prime Video.
How to Watch Thursday Night Football
With the TV rights for TNF split between Amazon Prime Video and FOX, fans have several options to catch the action on TV. Here are a few ways to watch TNF:
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video subscribers can watch TNF games exclusively on the platform. To access TNF games on Amazon Prime Video, follow these steps:
- Sign up for an Amazon Prime membership
- Download the Amazon Prime Video app on your device
- Log in to your Amazon Prime account
- Navigate to the TNF game page
- Click on the “Watch Now” button to start streaming the game
FOX
FOX broadcasts a limited number of TNF games, typically those that are not exclusive to Amazon Prime Video. To watch TNF games on FOX, follow these steps:
- Check your local TV listings to see if the TNF game is being broadcast on FOX in your area
- Tune into the FOX channel on your TV
- Alternatively, you can stream FOX online through their website or mobile app
Streaming Options
In addition to Amazon Prime Video and FOX, there are several other streaming options available to watch TNF games. Some popular streaming services that offer TNF games include:
- NFL Sunday Ticket: This service allows fans to watch live, out-of-market games, including TNF matchups.
- YouTube TV: This streaming service offers live TV, including sports channels like FOX and NFL Network.
- Hulu with Live TV: This streaming service offers live TV, including sports channels like FOX and NFL Network.
Streaming Devices
TNF games can be streamed on a variety of devices, including:
- Smartphones and tablets
- Smart TVs
- Streaming devices like Roku, Chromecast, and Apple TV
- Gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox
Conclusion
Thursday Night Football has become an integral part of the NFL schedule, offering fans an extra dose of gridiron action during the week. With the TV rights for TNF split between Amazon Prime Video and FOX, fans have several options to catch the action on TV. Whether you’re a subscriber to Amazon Prime Video or prefer to watch on FOX, there are several ways to watch TNF games. Additionally, streaming options like NFL Sunday Ticket, YouTube TV, and Hulu with Live TV offer fans even more ways to catch the action.
What is Thursday Night Football and how does it work?
Thursday Night Football is a series of National Football League (NFL) games that are played on Thursday evenings. The games are broadcast nationally on television and are available to stream online. The series typically runs from September to December, with a total of 15 games played throughout the season.
The games are usually played on Thursday nights, with kickoff times typically at 8:20 PM ET. The games are broadcast on various networks, including FOX, NFL Network, and Amazon Prime Video. In addition to the national broadcasts, the games are also available to stream online through various platforms, including the NFL app and Amazon Prime Video.
How can I watch Thursday Night Football on TV?
To watch Thursday Night Football on TV, you will need to have a cable or satellite subscription that includes the networks that broadcast the games. The games are typically broadcast on FOX, NFL Network, and Amazon Prime Video. You can check your local listings to see which network is broadcasting the game in your area.
If you do not have a cable or satellite subscription, you can also watch Thursday Night Football on TV through a streaming service. Many streaming services, such as Sling TV and YouTube TV, offer live TV and include the networks that broadcast Thursday Night Football. You can also purchase a digital antenna to watch the games over-the-air.
Can I stream Thursday Night Football online?
Yes, you can stream Thursday Night Football online through various platforms. The games are available to stream on the NFL app, as well as on Amazon Prime Video. You can also stream the games through various streaming services, such as Sling TV and YouTube TV.
To stream Thursday Night Football online, you will need to have a subscription to the platform or service that you are using. You can check the NFL app or Amazon Prime Video to see if you need to purchase a subscription or if the games are available for free. Some streaming services may also offer free trials or promotions that allow you to stream the games for free.
Do I need a subscription to watch Thursday Night Football?
It depends on how you plan to watch Thursday Night Football. If you have a cable or satellite subscription that includes the networks that broadcast the games, you can watch the games for free. However, if you do not have a cable or satellite subscription, you may need to purchase a subscription to a streaming service or platform to watch the games.
Some streaming services, such as Sling TV and YouTube TV, offer free trials or promotions that allow you to watch Thursday Night Football for free. However, these promotions are usually limited to a certain number of days or games. You can check the streaming service or platform that you are using to see if they offer any free trials or promotions.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on my mobile device?
Yes, you can watch Thursday Night Football on your mobile device. The games are available to stream on the NFL app, as well as on Amazon Prime Video. You can also stream the games through various streaming services, such as Sling TV and YouTube TV.
To watch Thursday Night Football on your mobile device, you will need to have a subscription to the platform or service that you are using. You can check the NFL app or Amazon Prime Video to see if you need to purchase a subscription or if the games are available for free. Some streaming services may also offer free trials or promotions that allow you to stream the games for free.
Are Thursday Night Football games available in 4K?
Yes, some Thursday Night Football games are available in 4K. Amazon Prime Video broadcasts some Thursday Night Football games in 4K, and you can also stream the games in 4K through the NFL app. However, not all games are available in 4K, and the availability of 4K broadcasts may vary depending on your location and the streaming service or platform that you are using.
To watch Thursday Night Football in 4K, you will need to have a 4K-compatible device and a subscription to a streaming service or platform that offers 4K broadcasts. You can check the NFL app or Amazon Prime Video to see if the game you want to watch is available in 4K.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football games on demand?
Yes, you can watch Thursday Night Football games on demand through various platforms. The games are available to stream on the NFL app, as well as on Amazon Prime Video. You can also stream the games through various streaming services, such as Sling TV and YouTube TV.
To watch Thursday Night Football games on demand, you will need to have a subscription to the platform or service that you are using. You can check the NFL app or Amazon Prime Video to see if you need to purchase a subscription or if the games are available for free. Some streaming services may also offer free trials or promotions that allow you to stream the games for free.