You’re settled in, the snacks are prepped, and you grab the remote only to realize you have no idea what channel on Dish is Thursday Night Football. It happens to the best of us. Honestly, it’s getting harder to keep track because the NFL keeps moving the goalposts on how we actually watch these games. If you’ve spent the last ten minutes scrolling through the 140s and 150s on your Dish guide, you’ve probably noticed something: the game isn't there.
There's a reason for that.
The Search for Thursday Night Football on Dish
The short, somewhat annoying answer is that Thursday Night Football isn’t on a traditional channel on Dish anymore. Back in the day, you could just flip to NFL Network (Channel 154) or maybe a local station like FOX or CBS, and you were good to go. Those days are basically gone. Since 2022, and continuing through the 2025-2026 season, Amazon Prime Video has the exclusive national rights to Thursday Night Football.
But don't throw your remote just yet. If you have a Dish Hopper, you aren't totally out of luck.
Even though there isn't a dedicated "Dish channel" for the game, Dish has integrated the Amazon Prime Video app directly into their hardware. If you have an internet-connected Hopper 3, Hopper with Sling, or a Joey, you can actually access the game without switching inputs on your TV.
How to get to the game on your Dish box:
- Voice Remote: This is the easiest way. Press the microphone button and just say "Amazon Prime Video."
- Channel 301: Believe it or not, Dish mapped the Prime Video app to a "channel" slot. Tuning to 301 will launch the app.
- The App Menu: Press the "Home" button twice on your remote, go to the "Apps" row, and look for the blue Amazon icon.
Why is my local channel showing the game?
Now, here is where it gets a little confusing. You might hear your buddy across town say they’re watching the game on a local channel like FOX or ABC. They aren't lying.
The NFL has a long-standing rule: if your local team (say, the Falcons or the Cowboys) is playing on Thursday night, the game must be broadcast on a local over-the-air station in those specific home markets.
So, if you live in the home market of one of the two teams playing, you can actually find the game on a standard Dish channel. This is usually your local affiliate for ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX. Check your local listings if your hometown team is on the schedule. For everyone else in the "rest of the country," it’s Amazon or nothing.
Exceptions to the "Amazon Only" Rule
Not every game played on a Thursday is technically "Thursday Night Football." I know, it’s a bit pedantic, but it matters for your Dish bill.
- The Season Kickoff: The very first game of the season (usually a Thursday) is actually part of the Sunday Night Football package. That game is on NBC (Local).
- Thanksgiving Day: The triple-header on Thanksgiving is spread across CBS, FOX, and NBC. None of those require a streaming subscription.
- Special International Games: Occasionally, a Thursday morning game from London or Germany might pop up on NFL Network (Channel 154).
Is it worth keeping the Multi-Sport Pack?
If you're a Dish subscriber, you’ve probably been hit with the "Multi-Sport Pack" upsell. While this won't help you watch the standard Thursday night games on Amazon, it is still the only way to get NFL RedZone on Channel 155.
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For many, RedZone is the holy grail of NFL viewing. It doesn't show the Thursday games, but for the Sunday slate, it's indispensable. If you’re trying to save money because you're now paying for Amazon Prime just for football, you might consider if you really need those extra 35 sports channels during the week.
The "DISH Anywhere" Workaround
One of the cooler perks of being with Dish is the DISH Anywhere app. If you are stuck at work or traveling during a game that is airing on your local channels (because your team is playing), you can stream your home Dish receiver directly to your phone or tablet.
It won’t help you get the Amazon-exclusive games, but it’s a lifesaver for those few weeks when your local team is the headliner. Just make sure your Hopper is connected to high-speed internet at home, or the stream will look like a slideshow from 1998.
What you need to do right now
If you’re staring at a blank screen and the game is about to start, here’s your move:
- Check the Matchup: Is it your local team? If yes, check your local FOX, CBS, or NBC channels on Dish.
- Go to Channel 301: If it’s not a local game, tune to 301 on your Dish remote to launch the Amazon app.
- Log In: You’ll need an active Amazon Prime account. If you don't have one, they usually offer a 30-day free trial which can get you through a few weeks of the season.
- Check your Internet: Streaming 4K football requires at least 25 Mbps. If your Dish box is struggling, try using the Prime Video app built into your Smart TV instead; sometimes those processors are a bit snappier than the older Hopper units.
Don't bother looking for the game on ESPN or TNT; they handle Monday nights and basketball, respectively. Thursday is Amazon's world now, and we're just living in it.