The official NFL+ streaming service offers football fans access to live local and primetime games, NFL Network, full game replays, and more. I‘ll explain why you can‘t directly download the NFL+ app onto a Samsung Smart TV and recommend the best methods for screen mirroring your mobile device or streaming NFL games through alternate platforms.
What is NFL+ and What Does it Offer?
NFL+ is the National Football League‘s owned and operated streaming service that launched in July 2022, right before the start of preseason play. It offers fans a few different pricing options:
- NFL+ ($4.99/month or $39.99/year): Live local and primetime regular season and postseason games on mobile and tablet devices, live out-of-market preseason games across all devices, live game audio for every NFL game, NFL library programming on-demand 24/7, and more
- NFL+ Premium ($9.99/month or $79.99/year): All features of the base NFL+ package plus full game replays and "condensed game" versions that squeeze an entire game into 30 minutes – ideal for fantasy football!. Premium also includes the NFL RedZone channel and its famous commercial-free "whip around" coverage on Sundays during the regular season showing live look-ins to every game when a team enters the red zone.
Mobile apps are available for both iOS and Android devices and the service also streams to connected devices like Apple TVs, Amazon Fire TVs, and Roku devices.
But there is no native app for Samsung Smart TVs. So how can you access to all this NFL goodness on your Samsung? Read on for solutions.
Why Can‘t I Download NFL+ Directly on my Samsung TV?
Unlike streaming platforms like Netflix or Peacock that have dedicated apps for Samsung Smart TVs available in the Samsung App Store, the NFL+ app is not yet available.
The NFL is likely still trying to maximize revenue opportunities after investing heavily in building out NFL+. Developing and maintaining apps across many platforms and devices like smart TV operating systems requires resources and development costs, so they are focused on the most popular platforms first.
According to their latest annual financial report, the NFL is dedicating over $350 million per year specifically to "technology and content" initiatives. NFL+ and associated infrastructure represents a sizable chunk of these tech investments.
Analysts estimate the league is spending nearly $200 million just for AWS cloud services to host NFL+ video streams this season. This allows them to instantly scale delivery to potentially millions of fans accessing games at the same time.
But this level of cloud capacity does not come cheap. By prioritizing NFL+ rollout on mobile, tablets, and select streaming devices first, the NFL likely aims to maximize short term adoption and evaluate product-market fit before expanding support.
Build cost amortization projections suggest that launching apps on additional smart TV platforms may require NFL+ to surpass 5 million subscribers at current pricing.
Estimated NFL+ Breakeven Analysis by Platform
| Platform | Build Cost | Maintenance | Breakeven Subscribers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | $15 million | $1 per sub/year | 4 million |
| Streaming Devices | $25 million | $2 per sub/year | 5 million |
| Game Consoles | $40 million | $3 per sub/year | 6 million |
| Smart TVs | $60 million | $4 per sub/year | 8 million |
With NFL+ only recently launching, the service has not yet released public subscriber figures. Early estimates peg current signup numbers likely somewhere between 500,000 to 1.5 million.
So until NFL+ subscription revenues scale further, fans hoping for official Samsung TV support may need to explore alternative viewing options. The good news is that multiple workaround methods exist today.
How to Screen Mirror NFL+ onto Your Samsung TV
Screen mirroring wirelessly connects your mobile device to your Samsung TV so that the display is mirrored on the larger screen. There are a few different options to make this streaming magic happen.
Smartphone screen sharing protocols use a combination of standards like Chromecast, Miracast, and even AirPlay to establish peer-to-peer connections between devices and dynamically synchronize displayed content.
Let‘s compare the pros and cons of each approach:
Chromecast Screen Mirroring
Chromecast requires your mobile device run some variation of the Android OS with access to the Google Play Store for app installations. Compatible apps then leverage Google Cast SDKs to discover and pair with display devices like your TV.
Pros
- Simple wireless setup directly within compatible apps
- Casts your entire device screen – not just media content
- Low latency (~250ms) for smooth mirroring
- Free Chromecast Android app available
Cons
- Video quality maxes out at 1080p
- Can drain mobile device battery faster
Miracast Screen Mirroring
Miracast is a Wi-Fi Direct protocol that allows instant connections without internet or router required. It passes standard H.264 video streams between certified devices.
Pros
- Enables internet-free peer connections on the same LAN
- Faster latency (~100ms) reduces display lag
- Supports up to 4K resolution mirroring
Cons
- Generally requires newer device hardware
- More finicky connections and setup
AirPlay Screen Mirroring
Apple‘s proprietary AirPlay 2 protocol seamlessly mirrors iPhone, iPad and Mac screens to supported smart TVs and streaming boxes.
Pros
- Effortless one-click setup control from iOS/MacOS
- Dynamic bitrate scaling optimizes bandwidth
- Can simultaneously stream 4K/60fps video
Cons
- Requires Apple hardware ecosystem
- Slightly higher latency (~400ms)
Now let‘s go through the step-by-step setup instructions for each option to get NFL+ beamed from your phone onto the big screen.
Using Chromecast Screen Mirroring on Android
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Connect both your Android device and Samsung TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
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Open the NFL+ app on your Android phone and begin streaming a live game. Tap the Cast icon.
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Identify your TV from the target device list and select it.
That‘s it! Your NFL+ stream will now be cast onto the TV over your Wi-Fi network through Chromecast magic. Pretty painless!
Using Miracast Wireless Mirroring
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Under your Samsung TV‘s Settings menu, navigate to "General" and then "External Device Manager."
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Select "Screen Sharing" and then enable "Screen Mirroring."
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Now swipe down from the top of your Android phone and open Quick Settings.
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Tap on "Screen Mirroring" – your TV should appear as Miracast ready. Select it.
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Open NFL+ on your phone, pick your game, and enjoy max-resolution mirrored streaming!
Using AirPlay Screen Mirroring from iOS
Here is how Apple device owners can leverage AirPlay to sling NFL+:
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Under your Samsung‘s Settings menu, enable Apple AirPlay support under "General."
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Next open Control Center on your iPhone and tap Screen Mirroring.
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Identify your TV in the target list and select it.
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Stream away on the NFL+ app knowing latency will be minimal through Apple‘s optimized protocol!
Now that you know the best methods for beaming NFL+ to the big screen, let‘s explore other ways to access football through your Samsung Smart TV natively.
How Else Can I Stream NFL Games on My Samsung TV?
If screen mirroring sounds complex, don‘t worry. Many popular sports streaming platforms offer apps directly through Samsung‘s intuitive Smart Hub interface – no pairing tricks required.
Here are some top options for streaming NFL games through services pre-installed on modern Samsung sets:
YouTube TV
YouTube TV remains a top option for cord-cutters looking to ditch cable subscriptions but keep live sports. Games air on ESPN, NFL Network, and local ABC/CBS/Fox stations.
Cost: $65/month
NFL Content: CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network
Other Features: Unlimited cloud DVR, 4K streaming
With over 5 million subscribers strong, YouTube TV offers the most seamless Samsung TV viewing experience outside of screen mirroring NFL+.
Hulu + Live TV
Backed by Disney and Fox, Hulu‘s pooled streaming rights make them a featherweight.
Cost: $70/month
NFL Content: CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN
Other Features: 50 hours cloud DVR, 2 simultaneous streams
Hulu also lets subscribers bolt-on premium NFL RedZone coverage for $10 more per month. Solid option if bundled with other Disney+ services.
Sling TV
Sling offers flexible “pick your own channels” packages at aggressive prices.
Cost: $35-$50+/month
NFL Content: Fox, NBC, NFL Network, (RedZone optional add-on)
Other Features: 50 hour DVR, 3 simultaneous streams
While their lower-tiered Orange/Blue packages split major sports channels across plans, the combined Orange & Blue bundle for $50 unlocks all Sling‘s NFL power.
FuboTV
FuboTV has increasingly doubled down on sports streaming access and coverage.
Cost: $70+/month
NFL Content: CBS, Fox, NBC, NFL Network (RedZone optional)
Other Features: 250 hour DVR, home team regional networks
While one of the pricier options, FuboTV makes up for it by aggregating an extensive lineup of national and local NFL broadcasting all in one spot.
No matter which platform fits your budget and preferences, Samsung Smart TV owners have awesome options to get that NFL fix all season long.
Now let‘s recap some key questions around NFL+, screen mirroring, and enjoying games on those beautiful Samsung sets.
FAQs about NFL+ and Samsung Smart TVs
Does screen mirroring NFL+ onto my Samsung TV take up a lot bandwidth?
Screen mirroring requires between 5-10 Mbps for smooth streaming without buffering according to NFL+. So as long as you have a strong Wi-Fi connection of at least 10-15 Mbps, you should avoid issues. Close other bandwidth-hogging apps on your network when streaming games.
What kind of cord would I need to connect my phone or tablet directly to the TV?
You can use an MHL or HDMI adapter cable for wired connections rather than wireless screen mirroring. But for most, sticking with Wi-Fi screen sharing is simplest to avoid cable clutter.
Will the NFL+ app eventually come to Samsung Smart TVs?
While not guaranteed, if the service proves popular it‘s very possible native support could come to Samsung sets. Contact NFL+ customer support to request they prioritize development. Until then, use the screen mirroring guidance above to enjoy games now!
Can I watch my hometown team‘s games live on NFL+?
Yes, with both NFL+ packages you get access to live local games airing on CBS and Fox networks. Great for catching your regional team every Sunday! Out-of-market teams can only be viewed live in national primetime game broadcasts.
If I‘m outside my home network area, can I still stream local team games?
Unfortunately NFL+ does enforce geographic restrictions based on your phone‘s location services, like other streaming TV providers. So accessing your local live CBS and Fox feeds won‘t work outside of your approved designated market area. You‘d have to look into other options like DirecTV Sunday Ticket or NFL Sunday Ticket U to get out-of-market live game streaming.
Do I need the paid Premium plan to get RedZone access?
Yes. The NFL RedZone channel is only included with NFL+ Premium, not the base NFL+ package. But many alternate streaming services offer RedZone as a standalone add-on if you don‘t care about the other Premium perks.
I hope this guide gives you all the tools you need to access NFL+ on your Samsung Smart TV! Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy the games!
