The power of the NFL amongst American viewers is hard to overstate. In 2023, 93 of the top 100 most-watched television programs of the year were NFL games, and even though the league plays the vast majority of its games on free, over-the-air broadcast channels, a virtual multi-channel video programming distributor (vMVPD) like DIRECTV STREAM or Sling TV is still the best way to see the most games overall without a traditional cable plan. Viewers know this quite well, and a new survey from Ampere Analysis shows NFL games drive a big audience to these services every year.

Key Details:

• Ampere found that in 2023-24, the NFL drove a 77% spike in signups for vMVPDs.
• February’s Super Bowl drove more than 400,000 subscriptions to a vMVPD service in a single day.
• Sale of exclusive games to on-demand streamers like Netflix or Prime Videos could hurt vMVPDs in the futue.

These vMVPDs — also known as live TV streaming services — are so popular for watching football because many give access to local broadcast channels that carry NFL games like CBS, Fox and NBC as well as cable channels like ESPN or NFL Network.

Ampere took a look at data going back to 2020 to see when viewers were most likely to subscribe to a vMVPD. Consistently, such services saw a big jump in subscriptions each September at the start of football season. The 2023-24 season saw the biggest spike measured of the past four years; live TV streamers saw a 77% increase in the number of signups they generated at the start of last year’s NFL season.

Ampere’s numbers show that on average, live TV services collect around 29,000 sign-ups per day during the offseason from March through August. That number spiked to 51,000 in during the 2023-24 football season, and peaked with Super Bowl LVIII in February, which saw 410,000 people sign up for a vMVPD in a single day.

As a further measuring stick of football’s popularity in the United States, 44% of all money spent on sports broadcast rights is sent to the NFL’s coffers. Almost half (44%) of all American sports fans say they enjoy the NFL to some degree.

Related: Every Legal Way to Watch NFL Football for Free in 2024

That means that one of the biggest threats to vMVPDs is the increased availability of exclusive NFL games on streaming services like Netflix, Peacock and Prime Video. Netflix gets to stream NFL games on Christmas Day this year, its first as a league broadcast partner. Customers can stomach the idea of signing up for on-demand services to watch one game and then canceling right away because they’re so much cheaper than vMVPDs.

“As the most popular sporting event in the US, the NFL can be a powerful subscription driver for companies acquiring broadcast rights,” said Ampere research manager Ben McMurray. “It also has the power to drive significant viewership on free-to-air channels and inflate the overall TV market during the NFL season - and deflate it when the season ends. The biggest potential threat to vMPVD services in the future is the sale of games and packages as exclusives to streaming services. vMPVDs can thrive even without direct investment in the NFL, acting in a mutually beneficial way with broadcasters by extending the advertising reach of games. However, if the shift to streaming exclusives continues, vMPVD services will have to either invest directly in rights or provide access to streaming services as an aggregator to continue attracting subscribers.”

Live TV streamers always see a slump in customers reflected in their quarterly earnings reports once football season ends. But Ampere’s new data helps further quantify the popularity of the NFL in the United States, and how big of an effect it can have on vMVPD viewership.

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DIRECTV

DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.

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Following the launch of several genre-specific Genre Packs, there are now even more flexible ways to watch DIRECTV. Options like MySports, MyEntertainment, MyNews, and MiEspañol provide affordable, targeted alternatives to larger bundles, allowing viewers to subscribe to a specific set of channels that match their interests without the cost of a full lineup.

DIRECTV starts at $59.99 / month for its Entertainment package. You can access your local regional sports network with the Choice package, which begins at $64.99 / month, as well as the MySports Pack $44.99 / month. At the top end, they also have an Ultimate ($94.99) for 218 channels. Slimmer Genre Packs for entertainment and news are MyEntertainment for $42.99 / month and MyNews $39.99 / month. There is no contract or broadcast TV fees with this DIRECTV streaming option.

The service was previously called DIRECTV STREAM, preceded by AT&T TV.

How much does DIRECTV cost in 2026?

DIRECTV now offers flexible entry points starting at $19.99/month for the MyKids Genre Pack, while full Signature Packages like Entertainment start at $84.99/month. See the full list: DIRECTV Pricing & Plans

Does DIRECTV have a free trial?

Yes, DIRECTV offers a 5-Day Free Trial for new customers, which includes access to your chosen package and any added Genre Packs.

What are DIRECTV Genre Packs?

Genre Packs are targeted, contract-free plans introduced in 2025. They include MySports ($69.99/mo), MyEntertainment ($34.99/mo), MyNews ($39.99/mo), and MiEspañol ($34.99/mo), often bundling apps like Max, Disney+, or Hulu.

How many channels does DIRECTV have?

The channel count varies by plan: the Entertainment package starts with 90+ channels, while the Premier package offers over 185+ channels. See the full list: DIRECTV Channels.

How many streams are allowed at once on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV allows for unlimited simultaneous streams on your home network and up to 3 streams while on the go. See more details: DIRECTV Simultaneous Streams

Does DIRECTV include local channels?

Yes, local affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are included in all Signature Packages and the MySports Genre Pack in most markets. See the full list: DIRECTV Local Channels.

Does DIRECTV have live sports?

DIRECTV is a leader in sports, offering ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and MLB Network, plus Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in the Choice plan and above. See the full list: DIRECTV Sports Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer premium channels?

Yes, you can add Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax. Many 2026 Genre Packs now include these services as part of the base price. See the full list: DIRECTV Premium Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer 4K streaming?

DIRECTV provides dedicated 4K channels (104-106) for live sports and special events at no extra cost, provided you have a compatible 4K device.

Does DIRECTV have a DVR?

Every DIRECTV plan includes Unlimited Cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record and save shows for up to 9 months.

Is there a Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee on DIRECTV?

An RSN fee of up to $15.99/month applies to the Choice package and above, as these plans include local sports coverage. This fee is determined by your zip code and the number of Regional Sports Networks available in your area.

Can I avoid the RSN fee on DIRECTV?

Yes. To avoid the RSN fee, you can subscribe to the Entertainment package or the MySports Genre Pack ($69.99/mo), which bundles sports content without a separate itemized RSN charge. See the breakdown: DIRECTV RSN Fees & Locations.

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