Wednesday, May 6, 2026

YouTube TV Calls Audible, Now Allows Unlimited NFL Sunday Ticket Streams

  • Decision is a shift from current YouTube TV policy.
  • NFL fans had raised concerns about not being able to follow Sunday afternoon games.
Kansas City Chiefs players celebrate in front of television camera
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

NFL fans received some good news from YouTube, which will allow unlimited simultaneous streams of Sunday Ticket this fall at a user’s home.

YouTube TV only allows three simultaneous streams per account so there had been concerns among hardcore football fans that they would not be able to keep up with the NFL’s action-packed Sunday afternoon slates that often include eight or more games in the 1 p.m. ET window.

Now the unlimited streams will apply to both the YouTube TV and YouTube versions of the NFL Sunday Ticket package, which until June 6 cost $249 (if you subscribe to YouTube TV for $72.99 per month) and $349 on YouTube. 

If YouTube hadn’t been willing to make the adjustment, fans would have had to purchase a second and even third subscription to view every NFL game simultaneously. The season kicks off Sept. 7 with the Detroit Lions visiting the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions.

Still In The Game

Even though YouTube is taking over Sunday Ticket from DirecTV in a $2 billion annual deal, the satellite provider will still have a presence with the NFL’s out-of-market package this season, retaining distribution rights for commercial establishments.

Most bars and restaurants that want to offer Sunday Ticket are already equipped with DirecTV and would not yet be able to handle the streaming demands associated with offering YouTube’s package.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Grant Horvat Among YouTube Golf Stars Joining Wasserman’s The Team

Golf creators Grant Horvat and the Bryan Brothers land major sports representation deals.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) in the second half during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images
exclusive

NFL, YouTube in Advanced Talks for 5-Game Package

The deal has yet to be finalized.

NFL Faces Antitrust Threat from FCC Chair Over Streaming Push

The Trump loyalist threatens the league’s antitrust exemption.
Sports commentator watches games on NFL Red Zone

NFL Sunday Ticket Exit from DirecTV Forces U.S. Bars to Adapt

DirecTV will no longer distribute the out-of-market package.

Featured Today

Tottenham Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur Is Facing a Billion-Dollar Disaster

A seemingly improbable drop to England’s second tier is a tangible possibility.
Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - June 4, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Rajat Patidar lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League
May 5, 2026

How Private Equity Fell in Love With Indian Cricket

India’s U.S.-style cricket league has become a private-equity playground.
Kaitlin Oaks (left) from Tampa looks at photos with Layla Abutha from Tampa while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
May 1, 2026

Kentucky Derby Is Courting Gen Z

Churchill Downs is mixing traditional splendor with a youthful atmosphere.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
April 22, 2026

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.

Kara Lawson Took Amazon Job to Scout WNBA Players for Team USA

Lawson will be a WNBA game analyst for Amazon Prime Video.
Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Former NFL football player Shannon Sharpe in attendance of the WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2026

Could Skip Bayless ESPN Return Mean Shannon Sharpe Is Next?

A source says Sharpe’s return isn’t currently under consideration.
May 6, 2026

ESPN Revenue Rises, but Disney’s Sports Profits Slip

Disney detailed the impact of heightened sports rights fees on the company.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives past Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.
May 6, 2026

First Round of NBA Playoffs Reaches 33-Year Viewership High

Game 7 of the 76ers-Celtics series averaged 11 million viewers.
May 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser (90) and Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach (77) chase the puck during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026

NHL First-Round Playoff Ratings Up Nearly 70%

ESPN and TNT Sports each averaged 1.2 million viewers per game.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) catches a pass against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
May 5, 2026

Nielsen’s New Ratings Formula Could Boost Viewership Numbers

The pilot program shows a sizable lift in viewing audiences.
Feb 22, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts against the Orlando Magic in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026

Pablo Torre’s Pulitzer Puts Kawhi Investigation Back in Spotlight

The league’s investigation remains ongoing.