NFL Viewership Has Become a Paywall | Durham News

Durham News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 17, 2026 · 1m

Twenty years ago, the NFL took a risky leap by moving Monday Night Football to cable — a move that backfired in the era of free broadcast TV. Today, that gamble has exploded into a multi-platform streaming empire, with games flooding Amazon Prime, Peacock, Netflix, and ESPN — leaving fans paying hundreds, even thousands, to catch every play. Gone are the days of flipping channels for free; now, following the league means juggling subscriptions, packages, and international matchups — all while your wallet takes the hit. The NFL’s global reach is unmatched, but for die-hard fans, it’s come at a…