A full 10 days of incredible rodeo action are coming to Cowboy Channel starting on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET. That’s when the 2025 National Finals Rodeo begins, and fans will get to see the very best in bronco riding, barrel racing, steer wrangling, and more directly from their living rooms. The best cowboys from across the country are expected to take part, and the best way to watch all the action in our view is with a subscription to DIRECTV.

How to watch the 2025 National Finals Rodeo tournament

• When: Thursday, Dec. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET
• TV: Cowboy Channel
• Stream: Watch with a five-day free trial of DIRECTV
• From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.

Everything you need to know about the 2025 National Finals Rodeo tournament

What is the schedule of the 2025 National Finals Rodeo?

The 2025 National Finals Rodeo begins on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Programming from the National Finals Rodeo will be found on Cowboy Channel every day between Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 13, so the channel's listings here to see when you can watch the programming you want to see most from the tournament on a day-to-day basis.

Why do we recommend watching the 2025 National Finals Rodeo on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV has a special offer available for the 2025 National Finals Rodeo. All customers on DIRECTV satellite and streaming packages will be able to watch Cowboy Channel at no additional cost for the duration of the NFR tournament, and will find the channel by tuning into channel 603 throughout the event.

While DIRECTV offers a wide range of channel packages to choose from, the streamer has a great deal currently available on its ENTERTAINMENT plan, which comes with 90+ channels. This plan costs just $50 per month for a new customer’s first month of service, and even comes with a five-day free trial if you choose to receive your DIRECTV channels through your own streaming player.

5-Day Trial

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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.

5-Day Trial

$59.99+ / month

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Start streaming DIRECTV & save up to $30 off your 1st mo. of service! Learn how.

Can you watch 2025 National Finals Rodeo for free?

As mentioned above, DIRECTV is offering Cowboy Channel to all customers free for the duration of the 2025 NFR. New customers can use its five-day free trial to watch at no cost whatsoever, then will have to pay the price of whichever plan they choose to stream it.

Otherwise, there is no way to stream the 2025 NFR free.

What are all the ways to watch the 2025 National Finals Rodeo

The only live TV streaming service besides DIRECTV that is offering coverage of the 2025 NFR is Sling TV, which carries Cowboy Channel in its Heartland Extra package, which costs $6 per month on top of a Sling TV base package at $46 per month.

The Cowboy Channel+ streaming service’s Everything We Got plan includes live coverage of the NFR, and costs $120 annually.

Check out the NFR Standings reveal

How to watch 2025 National Finals Rodeo from anywhere

If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch the 2025 National Finals Rodeo as you normally would, you can still catch all of the action no matter where you are in the world, with a VPN. A VPN can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer and make you appear to be back home — even when you’re not — making sure you feel at home no matter where you are. A VPN is a safe and secure way to stay protected online while streaming your favorite sports, movies, and shows on the go. Keep in mind that you will still need to be subscribed to a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV in order to stream the event with a VPN.

NordVPN is one of the best providers around, at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get two full years of protection for just $3.59 per month — plus you’ll get three extra months FREE. A high-speed VPN with best-in-class security that can be used on up to 10 devices at once — what more could you ask for? Simply sign up, install the software on your device of choice, and start streaming just as you would back home. It couldn’t be easier!

While NordVPN is our recommendation for the best VPN to use while you are traveling, there are a number of other high-quality options available, depending on what you are looking for.

• Best Features: ExpressVPN | Starting at $5 per month
• Best Budget Option: Surfshark | Starting at $2.50 per month
• Best Free Option: Proton VPN | Free plan available