American football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the United States, consistently commanding massive television audiences and driving an industry worth billions of dollars. The National Football League (NFL) sits at the epicenter of this success, with its 32 franchises and marquee events like the Super Bowl and NFL Draft captivating fans year-round. One of the highlights of the NFL calendar is Thursday Night Football (TNF) – a weekly primetime game aired on Thursday nights during the regular season.
TNF offers fans an alluring midweek escape and the chance to watch their favorite teams and players under the bright lights. The games often have serious playoff implications, with tensions and drama building as the season progresses.
However, recent seismic changes in TNF broadcasting rights have confused accessing the games. Questions abound – what channel will TNF be on this year? Does my TV subscription get me access? Where can I watch if I’m at a bar or restaurant?
This article will answer all those questions and more specifically for DIRECTV subscribers, providing a comprehensive guide to catching all the TNF action. Whether at home or out and about, reading on will give you the insights you need to not miss a snap this season.
1. The Evolving Landscape of Thursday Night Football Broadcasts
Thursday Night Football began airing on NFL Network in 2006, establishing itself as a weekly primetime fixture for football fans. After sharing rights with CBS and NBC for a few years, TNF was exclusive to NFL Network and FOX from 2018-2021. This back and forth between various network partners was set to continue with Amazon Prime Video taking over a package of exclusive games in 2023. However, in a landmark deal announced in early 2023, Prime Video and the NFL agreed to make the streaming service the sole home of Thursday Night Football for the next 11 years at nearly $2 billion per season.
This groundbreaking deal, depicted below, effectively ended TNF’s presence on mainstream cable TV networks for the foreseeable future. It also made Amazon the first ever streaming partner to secure an entire NFL package. For football-loving DIRECTV subscribers used to simply flicking to CBS, NBC or NFL Network on fall Thursday nights, this broadcasting shakeup means new steps are required to catch all the on-field action this year.
2. DIRECTV and Thursday Night Football
So given Amazon’s exclusivity, how can DIRECTV customers access Thursday Night Football games this season? The good news is DIRECTV provides coverage through two primary channels:
DIRECTV for Business
All commercial DIRECTV subscribers under the DIRECTV for Business umbrella, encompassing packages like DIRECTV for Hospitality, DIRECTV for Healthcare, DIRECTV for Education and DIRECTV for Enterprise, will automatically receive access to the Prime Video TNF feed on channel 9526. This dedicated TNF channel is part of recent agreements between Amazon and MVPDs (multichannel video programming distributors) like DIRECTV, Comcast, DISH Network and others to provide commercial subscribers with ease of access.
So for bars, restaurants, hotels, casinos, medical centers, college campuses and corporate offices equipped with a commercial DIRECTV satellite setup, the Prime Video TNF games will be readily available all season long on channel 9526.
Local Broadcast Channels
In addition to DIRECTV for Business access, regular DIRECTV customers may be able to view Thursday Night Football on local CBS and FOX affiliates if the game features teams from the viewer’s home market. Just as with typical Sunday afternoon games, CBS and Fox will continue carrying TNF for viewers in the competing teams’ regions.
For example, if the San Francisco 49ers are playing the Los Angeles Rams on a Thursday night, CBS and Fox affiliates around San Francisco and Los Angeles will broadcast the game locally. See the map below for an illustration of regional NFL coverage areas:
So even though Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive national TNF rights holder, local over-the-air channels provide an avenue for viewers to potentially access certain games based on their location.
3. Accessing Thursday Night Football on DIRECTV
Now let’s explore actually accessing and watching Thursday Night Football on DIRECTV based on your subscription package:
For DIRECTV for Business Subscribers
The process for commercial customers is very straightforward – simply tune to channel 9526 in your channel lineup for the Prime Video TNF broadcast. You’ll then be able to enjoy commentary from the Prime Video crew of Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit all season long.
Potential issues may arise if your coaxial cabling connection from the satellite dish is loose or your set-top box needs troubleshooting. Check for error messages on screen and contact DIRECTV customer support if technical problems persist.
For Residential DIRECTV Subscribers
Unfortunately for residential subscribers, DIRECTV packages like CHOICE, ULTIMATE or PREMIER do not include automatic access to the Thursday Night Football Amazon Prime Video feeds.
So what are your options as a home DIRECTV customer for catching TNF this season? Here are a few alternatives to explore:
- Subscribe directly to Amazon Prime Video for $14.99 per month to access the TNF games live or on-demand after airing
- Attend sports bars, restaurants, hotels or other venues showing TNF games via their DIRECTV for Business subscription
- Attempt to view certain TNF games on local CBS or Fox affiliates if your home team is playing
While not as seamless as the DIRECTV for Business route, pursuing one of the above options should hopefully allow you to be part of the TNF action.
4. Enhancing the Thursday Night Football Experience on DIRECTV
Beyond just the TNF games airing on Thursday nights, DIRECTV offers subscribers several additional features that can elevate your overall NFL viewing experience:
NFL SUNDAY TICKET
DIRECTV is still the exclusive home to this premium package that offers live out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. So while availability is limited for residential customers, DIRECTV for Business subscribers can add NFL SUNDAY TICKET to follow favorite teams or players all season regardless of geography. The package also includes the RED ZONE CHANNEL with whip-around coverage showing every touchdown from every game on Sunday afternoons – a perfect complement to watching games live.
NFL REDZONE
Mentioned above, the RED ZONE CHANNEL is also offered as its own separate channel on DIRECTV. It condenses Sunday afternoon games by bringing viewers only the big plays and touchdowns happening at that moment. No commentary and no commercials – just pure highlight-reel action making it a fan favorite to liven up commercial breaks during TNF.
DVR Services
Lastly, enhance your viewing experience by recording TNF games airing on DIRECTV for Business. Then replay those memorable plays or re-watch the full game later at your convenience. DIRECTV DVR allows easy rewinding, fast-forwarding and pausing live TV. You can also schedule recordings of other NFL programming like pregame shows, weekly analysis shows and NFL Films documentaries available across various DIRECTV channels.
Conclusion
In closing, while Thursday Night Football broadcasting rights now belong exclusively to Amazon Prime Video, DIRECTV customers still have options to catch all the gridiron action. DIRECTV for Business subscribers can simply tune to channel 9526 and enjoy the Prime Video TNF feed automatically as part of select commercial packages. Residential customers face some more hurdles, but can pursue workarounds like Prime Video subscriptions, heading to sports bars showing games out, or attempting to access contests featuring their home teams on CBS and Fox.
Beyond TNF, DIRECTV offers a wealth of additional NFL programming through NFL SUNDAY TICKET for Business, NFL RedZone and a robust DVR service. Take advantage of these offerings to fully immerse yourself in the hard hits, fierce rivalries and breathtaking plays that make pro football must-see TV. Now set those fantasy lineups, grab some snacks and get ready to experience the unique atmosphere and electricity of Thursday Night Football on DIRECTV!
Have any other questions on how to watch TNF this season? Want to share your own tips for enhancing DIRECTV’s NFL offerings? Sound off in the comments!