The National Football League (NFL) is one of the most popular sports leagues in the United States, with millions of fans eagerly awaiting each game day. With the rise of streaming services and online platforms, it’s easier than ever to catch your favorite team in action. However, for many fans, there’s no substitute for watching live NFL games on TV. In this article, we’ll explore the various ways to find out which NFL games will be on TV in your area, as well as provide some valuable tips and insights to enhance your viewing experience.
Understanding NFL TV Broadcast Rights
Before we dive into the specifics of finding NFL games on TV in your area, it’s essential to understand the broadcast rights landscape. The NFL has a complex system of broadcast rights, with multiple networks and platforms involved. Here’s a brief overview:
- National Broadcasts: The NFL has national broadcast deals with several networks, including NBC, CBS, FOX, and ESPN. These networks broadcast a select number of games each week, often featuring high-profile matchups or primetime games.
- Local Broadcasts: Each NFL team has a local broadcast partner that airs their games. These broadcasts are typically limited to the team’s local market, but can sometimes be available in surrounding areas.
- Cable and Satellite Providers: Many cable and satellite providers offer NFL games as part of their sports packages. These packages often include access to national broadcasts, as well as local games.
How to Find NFL Games on TV in Your Area
Now that we’ve covered the basics of NFL TV broadcast rights, let’s explore the various ways to find out which games will be on TV in your area.
- Check Your Local Listings: The easiest way to find out which NFL games will be on TV in your area is to check your local listings. You can do this by visiting the website of your local TV station or checking the TV guide on your cable or satellite provider’s website.
- Use Online Tools: There are several online tools available that can help you find NFL games on TV in your area. One popular option is the NFL’s own website, which provides a comprehensive schedule of games and broadcast information. You can also use websites like ESPN or Fox Sports to find out which games will be broadcast in your area.
- Download the NFL App: The NFL app is a great resource for finding games on TV in your area. The app provides a schedule of games, as well as broadcast information and streaming options.
Streaming Options
In addition to traditional TV broadcasts, there are several streaming options available for NFL games. Here are a few popular options:
- NFL Sunday Ticket: NFL Sunday Ticket is a streaming service that provides access to live, out-of-market games. The service is available on various platforms, including DirecTV and streaming devices like Roku and Chromecast.
- Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video offers a range of NFL games, including Thursday Night Football and select Sunday games.
- YouTube TV: YouTube TV is a streaming service that offers live TV, including NFL games. The service is available on various platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and streaming devices.
NFL TV Broadcast Schedules
Here is a general outline of the NFL TV broadcast schedule:
- Thursday Night Football: Thursday Night Football is broadcast on FOX and NFL Network, with select games also available on Amazon Prime Video.
- Sunday Afternoon Games: Sunday afternoon games are broadcast on CBS and FOX, with select games also available on NFL Network.
- Sunday Night Football: Sunday Night Football is broadcast on NBC.
- Monday Night Football: Monday Night Football is broadcast on ESPN.
Blackout Restrictions
One important thing to note when it comes to NFL games on TV is blackout restrictions. The NFL has a policy of blacking out games in local markets if the game is not sold out. This means that if you live in a local market and the game is not sold out, you may not be able to watch it on TV. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, including:
- Season Ticket Holders: Season ticket holders are often exempt from blackout restrictions.
- Streaming Services: Some streaming services, like NFL Sunday Ticket, offer access to live games even if they are blacked out in your local market.
International Broadcasts
If you’re an NFL fan living outside of the United States, you may be wondering how to catch games on TV. The NFL has a range of international broadcast partners, including:
- Sky Sports (UK): Sky Sports broadcasts a range of NFL games in the UK, including Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football.
- TSN (Canada): TSN broadcasts a range of NFL games in Canada, including Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football.
- ESPN International: ESPN International broadcasts a range of NFL games in various countries around the world.
Conclusion
Finding NFL games on TV in your area can be a complex process, but with the right tools and information, it’s easier than ever. By understanding the NFL’s broadcast rights landscape and using online tools and streaming services, you can catch your favorite team in action. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a casual observer, there’s no substitute for the excitement of live NFL games on TV.
How do I find out which NFL games are broadcast in my area?
To find out which NFL games are broadcast in your area, you can check the NFL’s official website or the website of your local TV station. The NFL website provides a comprehensive schedule of all games, including the broadcast channels and times for each game. You can also check the website of your local TV station to see which games they will be broadcasting.
Additionally, you can also check the TV listings in your local newspaper or online TV guides such as TV Guide or Zap2it. These resources will provide you with a list of all the TV channels available in your area, including the ones that broadcast NFL games. You can also set up alerts on your phone or computer to remind you when your favorite team is playing.
What are the different types of NFL broadcasts?
There are several types of NFL broadcasts, including national broadcasts, regional broadcasts, and local broadcasts. National broadcasts are games that are broadcast nationally, usually on Sunday night, Monday night, or Thursday night. These games are typically broadcast on major networks such as NBC, CBS, FOX, or ESPN. Regional broadcasts are games that are broadcast in specific regions of the country, usually on Sunday afternoons.
Local broadcasts, on the other hand, are games that are broadcast in specific local markets. These games are usually broadcast on local TV stations and may not be available in other areas. Some games may also be broadcast on cable or satellite TV, such as NFL Network or DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket. It’s worth noting that some games may be blacked out in certain areas due to local broadcast restrictions.
Can I watch NFL games online?
Yes, you can watch NFL games online through various streaming services. The NFL offers a range of streaming options, including NFL Game Pass, which allows you to watch live and on-demand games. You can also watch NFL games on streaming services such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV. These services usually require a subscription and may have blackout restrictions.
Additionally, some TV networks also offer live streaming of NFL games on their websites or mobile apps. For example, NBC offers live streaming of Sunday Night Football on its website and app. You can also watch NFL games on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, which often stream live games and highlights.
What is NFL Sunday Ticket and how does it work?
NFL Sunday Ticket is a subscription-based service that allows you to watch live, out-of-market NFL games on Sundays. The service is offered by DirecTV and allows you to watch up to eight games at once. To subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket, you need to have a DirecTV subscription and a high-definition TV.
NFL Sunday Ticket is ideal for fans who want to watch games that are not broadcast in their local market. For example, if you live in New York but want to watch a game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, you can watch it on NFL Sunday Ticket. The service also offers a range of features, including the ability to watch games on your computer or mobile device.
Can I watch NFL games on my mobile device?
Yes, you can watch NFL games on your mobile device through various streaming services. The NFL offers a range of mobile apps, including the NFL Mobile app, which allows you to watch live and on-demand games. You can also watch NFL games on mobile apps offered by TV networks such as NBC, CBS, and FOX.
Additionally, some streaming services such as Hulu and Amazon Prime Video also offer mobile apps that allow you to watch NFL games on your mobile device. You can also watch NFL games on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, which often stream live games and highlights on their mobile apps.
What are the blackout restrictions for NFL games?
The NFL has blackout restrictions in place to protect the ticket sales of local teams. If a game is not sold out 72 hours before kickoff, it may be blacked out in the local market. This means that the game will not be broadcast on local TV or streamed online in the local market.
However, there are some exceptions to the blackout rule. For example, if a game is sold out, it will be broadcast on local TV and streamed online, even if it’s not a national broadcast. Additionally, some streaming services such as NFL Sunday Ticket are exempt from blackout restrictions, allowing you to watch out-of-market games even if they are blacked out in your local market.
How can I watch NFL games if I don’t have cable or satellite TV?
If you don’t have cable or satellite TV, you can still watch NFL games through various streaming services. The NFL offers a range of streaming options, including NFL Game Pass, which allows you to watch live and on-demand games. You can also watch NFL games on streaming services such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV.
Additionally, some TV networks also offer live streaming of NFL games on their websites or mobile apps. For example, NBC offers live streaming of Sunday Night Football on its website and app. You can also watch NFL games on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, which often stream live games and highlights.