What Nfl Game Will Be Televised In My Area?

What NFL Game Will Be Televised In My Area?

Figuring out which NFL game you can watch on TV can sometimes feel like a puzzle. With so many games happening each week and different channels broadcasting them, it’s understandable to feel a bit confused. Let’s break down how to easily find out which exciting NFL matchup you can catch right in your living room.

Understanding NFL Broadcast Networks

Before we dive into how to find your local game, let’s talk about the main networks that show NFL games. Each network has its own schedule, and the game you can see depends on where you live and which network has the rights to show that particular game. These networks are:

• CBS: CBS often shows games from the American Football Conference (AFC). These games usually happen on Sunday afternoons.
• Fox: Fox typically airs games from the National Football Conference (NFC). Just like CBS, these are usually Sunday afternoon games.
• NBC: NBC is home to “Sunday Night Football.” This is the prime-time game that is broadcast nationally every Sunday evening.
• ESPN: ESPN has “Monday Night Football,” and this game is shown nationally every Monday evening. Sometimes ESPN also shows games on other nights as well.
• NFL Network: The NFL Network has its own set of games during the week, especially on Thursday nights and some games on Saturdays.
• Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video also shows “Thursday Night Football.” This is another option for games during the week.

It’s important to know that sometimes these networks have rights to games that are outside of their normal conference. Also, local stations can also get special rights to show games. So, keep an eye out for those too!

How the NFL Decides Which Games You See

Ever wonder why sometimes you can see your favorite team and other times you don’t? Well, the NFL uses a system to decide which games each local station will get. The NFL works on a rule that the games that get broadcasted are primarily determined by where you live and whether the game is a primary or secondary game for your market. This means that the networks work with the NFL to divide which games go to which local areas.

Primary and Secondary Markets

The NFL divides each team’s fanbase into primary and secondary markets.

• Primary Market: Your primary market is basically where your team’s fans are located the most. This is typically the area where the team plays, the surrounding cities, and towns. If your team is playing on a network, you’re very likely going to see that game.
• Secondary Market: Secondary markets are where a team has fewer fans. These are usually regions that are near by or have many transplants who live there. Games in these markets are less likely to be shown on your local television station. They are more likely to be shown if your primary team is not playing that weekend or they are playing at the same time.

For example, if you live in the Dallas area and the Dallas Cowboys are playing, the Cowboys game is likely to be the one that is broadcasted on the local Fox or CBS station. But, if you live in the Cleveland area, you will more likely to see the Cleveland Brown’s game on your local CBS or FOX station.

National Broadcasts and Flexibility

Some games are national broadcasts. This means that everyone across the country can see them. “Sunday Night Football” on NBC and “Monday Night Football” on ESPN are these kinds of games. These national broadcast games do not get changed or swapped around based on your local area. All viewers can watch them regardless of which team they like.

Also, sometimes the NFL shifts games from one channel to another, or from one time to another, especially if one game looks like it will be more interesting or has a larger national following. The NFL makes these decisions to get as many people as possible to see the best games.

Tools and Resources to Find Your Local Game

Now that you know how the NFL broadcasts work, let’s take a look at the most convenient ways to find out which NFL games you can watch where you live.

Using Online TV Guides

One of the easiest ways is to use online TV guides. Most major websites offer interactive TV guides. These guides often allow you to enter your zip code and get a list of what channels are showing what program at what time. Here is how you can use them:

1. Go to your favorite search engine such as Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo.
2. Type “TV Guide” and the name of your TV provider. Or, if you do not have a TV provider, just type “TV Guide.”
3. Look for the official guide or similar type of website.
4. On that website, enter your zip code or city.
5. Find the date and time you’re looking for.
6. The list will tell you which game, if any, is being shown on each station.

Some of the popular TV guide websites are:

• TVGuide.com
• Zap2it.com
• Local TV station websites.

Using Your TV Provider’s Guide

Most cable, satellite, and streaming TV providers have an interactive TV guide right on your TV. These guides also show which games are being broadcasted on each of the networks in your area. Here is how you use it:

1. Turn on your TV.
2. Use your remote control and find the guide button. It might say something like “guide” or “menu.”
3. Use the arrow keys on your remote to navigate the guide.
4. Find the channel you are interested in and the time you are looking to watch the game.
5. You will see all games that are being broadcasted.

Using NFL-Specific Resources

The NFL website also has a wealth of information that can help you find local games. You can visit NFL.com and check their broadcast schedule, or you can check their mobile app for updated listings.

Here are some ways to use the NFL website to your advantage:

• Visit the NFL website (NFL.com)
• Click on “Schedule”
• Use the filter to narrow down to the particular game you are looking for
• Look at the game time, the network it is on, and check your local guide to see if your local station will have the game

Social Media and Local News

Another place to look for what will be broadcasted in your local area are the social media pages and websites of your local news. Many times your local news station will list what games they will be broadcasting for that Sunday afternoon.

Here are some social media tips to use:

• Look up your local news channel on Facebook, Twitter, or other platforms.
• Check their latest posts or tweets and they will often talk about what games will be broadcasted in their area for that week.
• You can also check their website for a list of upcoming games.

Dealing with Blackouts

Sometimes, you may run into a “blackout”. This happens when a game is not shown on local TV. Typically, this is because the stadium has not sold enough tickets. The NFL will lift the blackout rules once the stadium sells out. However, this does not always happen. Blackouts have become less common in recent years, but it’s helpful to know what they are and how to handle them.

What is a Blackout?

A blackout happens when a game isn’t broadcast on local television stations in an area. When this happens the game is not shown in your local market. Blackouts are only a concern for a team’s home games and rarely are an issue for away games.

Why Do Blackouts Occur?

Historically, blackouts were used as a tactic to help sell more tickets. By not showing a game on TV, the NFL hoped to encourage people to go to the stadium to see the game live. The main reason the NFL would do this is to encourage fans to buy tickets and attend the games. This rule was more common in the past and the NFL has decreased the use of blackouts in recent years.

How to Handle a Blackout

If a game is blacked out in your area, here are some options you have:

• Radio Broadcasts: You can often listen to a radio broadcast of the game. Many local stations broadcast all the team’s games.
• Streaming Options: Streaming services sometimes have options that are not part of the local broadcast. Some services have their own agreements with teams or the NFL.
• Watching at a Bar: If you have a local bar or restaurant that has a sports package, you might be able to watch the blacked-out game there.
• Travel: If you live close to another market, you might be able to drive to that market, tune into local TV in that area, and see the game.

Tips for Keeping Up-To-Date

The NFL schedule can sometimes change with little notice, therefore, you should keep up-to-date with any changes.

Regularly Check Your Guide

Check your TV provider’s guide regularly or the websites listed earlier in this article. This way, you can easily track any changes that are made to the broadcast schedule.

Follow Social Media and News

Follow the NFL on social media and your local news channels for the latest updates on the weekly NFL schedule.

Use the Mobile Apps

The NFL and TV guide apps on your phone are very useful for checking the schedule. It’s good to keep the apps on your phone so you can see them even if you are not at home. These apps provide the latest updates right at your fingertips.

Why This Information Matters

Knowing how to find out what games will be on TV is not just convenient, it helps you enjoy the sport more. It’s great to be able to plan your weekend around watching your favorite team. Using the right resources makes planning for your Sunday football easier and less stressful.

So, get your snacks ready, put on your jersey, and get ready to see how your favorite team plays this week! No more guessing about which game will be on your TV.