NEW YORK (AP) — Good news for football fans: It’s going to be much easier to watch NFL games online this year.

The league is finally dropping a requirement that viewers sign in with a cable or satellite subscription. It’s seeking to expand its online audience at a time when TV ratings are declining.

The regular season starts Thursday.

There are some restrictions. Streamed games are typically only accessible via phones and tablets. To watch on a big TV, you’ll still need a cable or satellite subscription, or one through a cable-like online package such as PlayStation Vue.

Other major professional leagues still require TV subscriptions for hometown teams. A key element to getting TV networks on board: They’ll get to sell the majority of ads on the subscription-free football streams.

In this Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, photo apps for NFL and Yahoo Sports are displayed on a phone on the sidelines before a preseason NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets in Philadelphia. As the regular season starts Thursday, Sept. 6, the league is finally dropping a requirement that viewers sign in with a cable or satellite subscription, as it seeks to expand its online audience at a time when TV ratings are declining. The subscription-free games will be available on the NFL app and the Verizon-owned Yahoo Sports, Tumblr and AOL apps. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/09/web1_121296296-d78ece70682a41caa25922bad8e933f8.jpgIn this Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, photo apps for NFL and Yahoo Sports are displayed on a phone on the sidelines before a preseason NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets in Philadelphia. As the regular season starts Thursday, Sept. 6, the league is finally dropping a requirement that viewers sign in with a cable or satellite subscription, as it seeks to expand its online audience at a time when TV ratings are declining. The subscription-free games will be available on the NFL app and the Verizon-owned Yahoo Sports, Tumblr and AOL apps. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)