Streaming news roundup: NFL Network lands on the ESPN app, and the first NBA team makes its DAZN move official

NFL Network is now available inside the ESPN app for ESPN Unlimited subscribers — one place for both, just in time for preseason. The Timberwolves became the first NBA team to finalize a local streaming deal with DAZN, and struggling streamer Victory+ lost another rights package. Plus, the first of this summer's CBS channel switches happens tomorrow.

The gist: A couple of the summer's biggest where-to-watch threads moved this week. NFL Network is now inside the ESPN app for ESPN Unlimited subscribers — one app instead of two, right before preseason. The Timberwolves became the first NBA team to make a DAZN local-streaming deal official. And a struggling streamer lost more rights, while the first of this summer's CBS channel switches lands tomorrow. Here's what changed.

NFL Network is now on the ESPN app

As of Thursday, NFL Network is available inside the ESPN app for subscribers with the ESPN Unlimited tier — whether you buy Unlimited on its own, get it in one of Disney's bundles, or authenticate through a pay-TV or live-TV provider (including YouTube TV, which just gained Unlimited access this week). There's no extra charge beyond Unlimited.

That gets you NFL Network's daily shows (Good Morning Football, The Insiders), its 19 preseason games next month — the ones we flagged earlier this month — and its seven exclusive regular-season games (five from the International Series, plus a Week 16 doubleheader), all in the same place. It's the final step of ESPN's acquisition of NFL Network, which closed in April: NFL fans no longer need a separate NFL Network subscription sitting alongside ESPN.

One caveat worth stating plainly: this rides on ESPN Unlimited, the top ESPN streaming tier ($29.99/month), not the cheaper ESPN Select. If NFL Network was your reason to consider Unlimited, that math just changed; if you only wanted it for a handful of games, it's worth weighing against a live-TV package that already carries the channel.

The NBA's DAZN shift gets its first finalized deal

Two days after the DAZN reporting we covered Wednesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves became the first NBA team to finalize a deal — making DAZN the exclusive local streaming home for their games in 2026-27.

A few details that show how these deals are being built: the Timberwolves land a rights fee at the top of DAZN's reported $8 million-to-$20 million range, with one-year exit clauses (built around the NBA's planned 2027-28 local hub), and DAZN reportedly even offered the team equity in the platform if the deal runs longer. DAZN plans to put 15 Wolves games outside its paywall, but the team won't simulcast on over-the-air TV — so Minnesota fans will need DAZN for most local games. The Cavaliers, Pacers, Spurs, and Grizzlies are reportedly close to similar exclusive deals in the coming days, with the Magic, Hornets, and Wizards possible streaming-only additions.

Still unannounced, and the number that matters most to fans: what a standalone DAZN subscription will cost.

Quick hits

• Victory+ loses its NWSL rights. The struggling sports streamer — which has missed rights payments to NHL teams and others this year — lost its National Women's Soccer League deal over the same problem. It's a live illustration of why teams and leagues are increasingly consolidating onto better-capitalized platforms like DAZN, or onto league-run operations like the NHL's own production model, rather than trusting thinly funded startups with their local rights.
• Two dates for the weekend ahead. The CBS affiliation switches in six markets take effect tomorrow, August 1 — if you're in one of them and use an antenna, rescan on or after Saturday. And the court hearing on whether to keep the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger frozen is Monday, August 3.

Not sure which of this week's games you can already watch? StreamCaddy maps the cheapest correct way to watch all of your teams and events for your exact location and subscriptions.

Sources

1. Awful Announcing — "NFL Network officially made available to ESPN Unlimited subscribers" (as of July 30, NFL Network is in the ESPN app for Unlimited subscribers — direct, Disney bundles, or authenticated pay-TV incl. YouTube TV; includes 19 preseason games, 7 exclusive regular-season games, and daily programming; ESPN acquired NFL Network April 1), July 30, 2026 — https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/nfl-network-officially-available-unlimited-subscribers.html
2. ESPN Press Room — "NFL Network Added to the ESPN App, Further Expanding Year-Round NFL Coverage" (official announcement of NFL Network's addition to the ESPN app for Unlimited subscribers), July 30, 2026 — https://espnpressroom.com/press-release/nfl-network-added-to-the-espn-app-further-expanding-year-round-nfl-coverage-for-fans-all-in-one-place/
3. Awful Announcing — "Minnesota Timberwolves finalize local broadcast deal with DAZN" (first of five FanDuel-connected NBA teams to finalize an exclusive DAZN deal; rights fee at the top of the reported $8M-$20M range; one-year exit clauses; equity offer; 15 games outside the paywall, no OTA simulcast; Cavaliers, Pacers, Spurs, Grizzlies close, Magic/Hornets/Wizards possible), July 30, 2026 — https://awfulannouncing.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves-finalize-local-broadcast-deal-dazn.html
4. Minnesota Timberwolves / NBA.com — "Minnesota Timberwolves and DAZN Launch New Direct-to-Fan Streaming Offering" (official announcement of the exclusive local streaming arrangement for 2026-27) — https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/minnesota-timberwolves-and-dazn-launch-new-direct-to-fan-streaming-offering
5. Awful Announcing — "Victory+ loses NWSL rights amid ongoing financial troubles" (agreement ended over missed rights payments), July 30, 2026 — https://awfulannouncing.com/nwsl/victory-plus-loses-rights-financial-troubles.html
6. Deadline — "CBS To Switch Affiliation From Nexstar To Hearst TV & Forum Communications Stations In A Half Dozen Markets" (changes effective Aug. 1 in six markets), July 23, 2026 — https://deadline.com/2026/07/cbs-switches-nexstar-station-affiliation-1237001956/
7. Deadline — "Judge Extends Temporary Restraining Order Pausing Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger" (preliminary injunction hearing set for Aug. 3), July 23, 2026 — https://deadline.com/2026/07/paramount-warner-bros-merger-judge-extends-order-1237001966/