What Station Is Bears Game On?

What Station is Bears Game On?

Figuring out where to watch the Chicago Bears can sometimes feel like a game in itself! With so many different channels and ways to watch, it’s easy to get confused. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just want to catch the game, this guide will help you find exactly where the Bears are playing each week. We’ll cover everything from local TV channels to national broadcasts, streaming options, and even how to listen on the radio. So, grab your favorite jersey, settle in, and let’s figure out how to watch the Bears!

Understanding NFL Broadcast Agreements

The first step in finding your Bears game is understanding how the NFL decides who gets to show which games. It’s not as simple as just one channel having all the rights. The NFL has deals with different networks, and these deals determine which games you’ll find on specific channels. Here’s a breakdown of the main players:

National Broadcast Partners

These are the big networks that show games all over the country:

• CBS (usually shows AFC games): While CBS mainly carries games featuring teams from the American Football Conference (AFC), they can sometimes show Bears games when the Bears are playing an AFC opponent.
• FOX (usually shows NFC games): FOX is the main network for the National Football Conference (NFC), which includes the Chicago Bears. This means that many Bears games will be on FOX.
• NBC (Sunday Night Football): NBC has the rights to “Sunday Night Football.” If the Bears are featured in a primetime Sunday game, it will be shown on NBC.
• ESPN (Monday Night Football): ESPN is home to “Monday Night Football.” If the Bears are playing on a Monday, you’ll find the game on ESPN.
• NFL Network (Thursday Night Football & Select Games): NFL Network broadcasts “Thursday Night Football” as well as some other games throughout the season.

Local Television Affiliates

Local TV stations also play a big part in showing Bears games. These are stations that are part of the national networks but are specific to your area. For Chicago, this means you will find most Bears games on:

• FOX 32 (WFLD): This is the local FOX affiliate and a very frequent place to find Chicago Bears games.
• CBS 2 (WBBM): If the Bears are playing an AFC team and CBS has the game for that week, you will likely find the game on CBS 2.
• NBC 5 (WMAQ): If the Bears are playing on Sunday Night Football, NBC 5 will broadcast the game.

These local stations allow you to watch games using a regular TV antenna (over-the-air) or through your cable or satellite provider.

Finding Your Game Each Week

Now that you know who usually shows what games, how can you find your specific Bears game each week? Here’s a simple process:

Check the NFL Schedule

The official NFL website is a great resource. It has a complete schedule for every week of the season, and it always lists which network is showing each game. You can visit nfl.com and find a schedule section, simply search for the Chicago Bears game, and you will be able to see what channel the game will be broadcasted on.

Look at the Bears Website

The Chicago Bears’ official website is also an excellent place to find game information. They typically post a schedule that shows you what channel the game is on. They might also tell you about other ways you can watch, like on streaming services.

Use a TV Guide App or Website

Many TV guide apps and websites also display what games are being broadcasted each week. These tools will usually use your location to show which channels are broadcasting in your area. Some very popular TV guide apps and websites include:

• TV Guide App: Popular app that shows listings based on your provider.
• Zap2it.com: A long time go-to for program schedules.
• Your Cable/Satellite Provider’s Guide: Many TV providers offer their own program listings on their website or an application.

Pay attention to Social Media

The NFL and major sports networks frequently post the upcoming games and the channel they will air on. You can find game information on the official NFL pages on platforms such as X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

Exploring Streaming Options

If you don’t have traditional cable or satellite TV, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to watch the Bears via streaming. Here are some of the most popular options:

NFL+

NFL+ is the official streaming service of the NFL. It lets you watch live out-of-market games on your phone or tablet. It also offers live in-market games on these devices too. This service is excellent for those who can’t always be at their TV. NFL+ has two tiers, the base version that is usually for phone and tablet, and the premium version that also includes features such as replays of games.

Live TV Streaming Services

Many streaming services carry live channels, so you can watch games just like you would on cable or satellite. These services include:

• YouTube TV: This service includes most of the major channels, such as FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network. It is a very good option if you want to watch Bears games on a variety of different platforms such as computers and televisions.
• Hulu + Live TV: Similar to YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV also carries a vast selection of network channels, which will likely include all the necessary channels for Bears games each week.
• Sling TV: This is a more budget-friendly option, but you might need to get a higher package to get all the necessary channels for watching Bears games.
• FuboTV: This service is mainly geared toward sports enthusiasts and includes many of the major channels you’ll need to watch Bears games, as well as sports from around the world.

Network-Specific Apps

Many of the major networks that carry NFL games also have their own apps where you can stream. For example:

• FOX Sports App: Allows you to stream FOX games if you have a cable/satellite subscription that includes FOX.
• CBS Sports App: If your cable or satellite TV has CBS, you can use the CBS Sports app to stream games.
• NBC Sports App: The same goes for NBC, if you have access to their channel on your tv provider then you can stream the game on the NBC Sports app.
• ESPN App: This app streams ESPN games, but you need to sign in with your cable/satellite provider to watch.

These apps will typically require you to log in with the credentials from your TV provider. They do not usually allow you to just watch without subscribing to the networks from another TV provider.

Radio Broadcasts

If you’re on the go or prefer to listen to the game, radio broadcasts are an excellent option. The Chicago Bears have a long-standing partnership with their radio broadcast, and here is where you can listen to the game:

• WBBM Newsradio 780 AM/105.9 FM: This is the official radio station for Chicago Bears games. You can tune in live with your radio and listen to the play-by-play coverage.

You can also often find radio broadcasts on the NFL app or through services such as SiriusXM Radio.

Specific Game Scenarios

Let’s look at a few specific scenarios to help make things clear:

Sunday Afternoon Game vs. NFC Team

If the Bears play on a Sunday afternoon against a team from the NFC (like the Packers or Lions), you will probably find the game on your local FOX affiliate, which in Chicago is usually FOX 32 WFLD.

Sunday Afternoon Game vs. AFC Team

If the Bears play a Sunday afternoon game against an AFC team (like the Patriots or Browns), it’s usually on CBS. In Chicago, it’s typically on CBS 2 WBBM.

Sunday Night Football

If the Bears are playing on Sunday Night Football, the game will be shown on NBC and your local affiliate which in Chicago is NBC 5 WMAQ.

Monday Night Football

If the Bears are playing on a Monday night, the game will be on ESPN. This will also be available on the ESPN app if you are a subscriber to cable TV.

Thursday Night Football

If the Bears are playing on a Thursday night, the game will be on NFL Network and can be streamed using NFL+ or sometimes also Amazon Prime Video.

Tips for a Smooth Viewing Experience

Here are a few tips to make your game-watching experience better:

• Check the Schedule Early: Check the schedule early in the week to make sure you know what channel and time the game is on, so you do not miss the start of the game.
• Set a Reminder: Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to make sure you don’t forget when the game is.
• Test Your Setup: Test your TV or streaming setup before the game starts to avoid any last-minute issues.
• Have Backups Ready: If you have multiple ways to watch, make a plan in case your first option has a problem. If streaming is your primary, make sure you have a backup option like tuning into the radio for the play-by-play.
• Be Patient: Sometimes, there might be problems with streaming or TV signals, so be patient and try again later.

Finding out what station a Bears game is on doesn’t have to be a challenge. By using the resources above, including TV listings, online resources, and radio broadcasts, you can ensure that you do not miss a moment of the action. Happy watching!