What Station Is Ravens Game On?

What Station Is Ravens Game On?

Figuring out where to watch the Baltimore Ravens game can sometimes feel like a puzzle! It’s not always on the same channel, and things can change week to week. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you get to the bottom of it so you don’t miss any of the exciting plays. This article will break down all the different ways you can find out what channel is showing the Ravens game, whether you’re watching at home or on the go. We will go over the networks that typically carry the games, how to use tools to find your local listings, and look at what affects the broadcast choices each week.

Understanding the NFL’s Broadcast Partners

The first thing to know is that the NFL has many partners when it comes to broadcasting games. This is good news because it means there are more chances to see your team play, but it also means you need to keep track of who has the rights. These networks often take turns showing games, or have special broadcasts for things like Thursday night football or Sunday afternoon games. Let’s look at the main players:

Major Networks Showing NFL Games

• CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System): CBS often broadcasts afternoon games, especially ones where the Ravens are playing another team in the American Football Conference (AFC). Look out for their logo if you’re trying to find an afternoon game.
• Fox: Just like CBS, Fox also shows a lot of afternoon games, but generally for National Football Conference (NFC) opponents. However, they do sometimes get AFC matchups. So always check your local listings if the Ravens are playing an NFC team or potentially for a crossover game.
• NBC (National Broadcasting Company): You can almost always find the big Sunday night games on NBC. If the Ravens are in a prime-time matchup on a Sunday, they are likely to be on NBC. This is the same for the big games that are generally viewed nationally.
• ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network): ESPN is usually where you’ll find Monday night football. If the Ravens are playing on a Monday night, then this is where you want to be. They are also the home for some Saturday games later in the season.
• NFL Network: The NFL Network will sometimes show Thursday night football and occasionally a few Saturday or Sunday games, especially late in the season. If it’s not a game on the national networks, it can sometimes land here.
• Amazon Prime Video: Amazon has a newer deal to stream Thursday Night Football exclusively. If you’re looking to watch a Thursday Ravens game that isn’t on a local channel, this is a good place to start.

How to Find the Ravens Game on TV Each Week

Now that you have a handle on the networks, let’s move on to how you find the channel for each week’s game. It is a little different each time, so we need a good strategy!

Using Your TV Guide

Your TV guide is usually the easiest place to start. It’s your local channel information. Here is how you can use this tool to find what you are looking for:

• On-Screen Guide: Most cable, satellite, and even some antenna TVs have an on-screen guide that lists the channel numbers and programs that will be shown. Just scroll through the guide for the specific day of the Ravens game.
• Printed TV Guide: If you still get a printed TV guide, you can check that. However, these tend to be less updated than the digital guides.
• Cable or Satellite Provider App: Most providers also have a phone app or website that has a very similar program guide. You can use this, too.

Utilizing Online Resources

If you’re not near a TV or just like using the internet, there are plenty of sites to help find your game. Here are a few reliable options:

• NFL Website or App: The official NFL website or app is a really good place to start. They often have a game schedule that includes the broadcast information for each game. You’ll need to know the game date and time, and you can get your information.
• Sports Websites: Major sports websites like ESPN, CBS Sports, or Fox Sports will usually have schedules that are pretty easy to find. These sites often have a way for you to filter by team, so it is really easy to find a Ravens game.
• Local Listings Websites: Many websites allow you to enter your ZIP code and will show you the local channel lineups for different providers in your area. This is an awesome tool for anyone who wants to be super prepared.

Following Social Media

Social media is now a huge part of keeping up with the news. Here’s how it can help you find your game:

• Team Accounts: Follow the Baltimore Ravens’ official social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. They often post game day information, including where to watch.
• Local News Accounts: Sometimes your local news channels will post which Ravens games they are carrying. Follow them as well for an extra level of certainty!

Understanding Broadcast Blackouts

Sometimes, and not often anymore, games can be subject to a local blackout. This means the game might not be on the local channels you would typically expect. It has to do with attendance numbers and rules set by the NFL.

• Why Blackouts Happen: These rules are meant to encourage people to buy tickets and attend games in person. When not enough tickets are sold, the game might be blocked from showing on local TV in the area.
• How to Avoid Blackouts: Luckily for fans, blackouts are rare now. Most games are broadcast whether they sell out or not. You still might see an occasion, and if it’s a local blackout, you might have to watch the game from a different place that does not have the same local rules, or use a subscription service that broadcasts all the games.

Streaming Options for Ravens Games

If you prefer to watch games on your phone, tablet, or computer, here’s what to know about streaming:

Official Streaming Services

• NFL+ or NFL Game Pass: The NFL offers its own streaming service, but the availability of live in-market games varies. These can be an awesome tool for keeping up with the game if you are on the go.
• Network Streaming Apps: Networks such as CBS, NBC, and Fox usually have streaming apps or websites. If a game is on one of those channels, you can try watching through their own app.
• Amazon Prime Video: Again, this is a good source if you want to catch Thursday Night Football. It is an exclusive deal with the NFL.

Other Streaming Services

If you have cut the cord, there are many streaming services that act like cable TV but are done through internet. Here are a few:

• YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, FuboTV: These services carry the channels that typically broadcast NFL games. Look at their channel lineups to be sure that you are getting the channels you need.
• DirectTV Stream: This service acts like a streaming cable option as well.

Factors That Affect Broadcast Choices

Several factors come into play when deciding which network shows a particular Ravens game:

National vs. Local Games

• National Games: These games are usually the biggest games of the week, or those between two big-market teams. National games are typically on the main networks like NBC, ESPN or Fox.
• Local Games: These are often games between local teams. For the Ravens, these games can often be found on CBS or Fox depending on who they are playing.

Flex Scheduling

Flex scheduling is a system the NFL uses to make sure that the best games are in prime time. Sometimes, games can be moved to a new time slot with only a few weeks’ notice. Be aware that this is always a possibility when you are checking to see which channel the Ravens game is on.

• Late-Season Changes: The NFL can switch the prime time slots around when it gets late in the season to make sure they have the best possible matchups.
• Checking Often: It’s always best to check your listings closer to the game day because of this.

Opponent and Game Importance

The team the Ravens are playing will also affect where the game is shown. For example, if they are playing a big rival, it may be seen nationally. If the game is important for the playoff race, it may also be given a better time slot.

• Big Rivalries: Games against rival teams can draw big viewership, so networks may want to show them.
• Playoff Implications: Games near the end of the season can become extra important if they affect who makes the playoffs, and networks will want those.

Cable Packages

One thing to keep in mind is your specific cable package. If you don’t have all of the main channels, you may not be able to watch the game, even if it is locally broadcast. Many cable companies have several levels of packages, with some including all of the national channels and some that only include local. Before the season, or even before a specific game, take a look at what you have to be prepared for how you are going to watch the game.

Other Things to Consider

There are some other things to think about as you prepare to watch a game:

• Subscription Services: Remember that most streaming services, even the ones that seem “free”, will probably require some kind of a subscription. It is a good idea to understand what kind of agreement you have before the season starts to avoid being caught off guard.
• Free trials: Sometimes, streaming services offer free trials. If there is one game you really want to watch, but you don’t have the right package or service, you can use this as a way to test it out. Make sure that you cancel before the trial ends if you do not want to be charged.
• Antenna: Many people do not know that you can sometimes watch local channels with a regular old antenna. They do not work in every area, so do a little research before buying one to see if it works in your area.

So, figuring out where to watch a Ravens game takes a little effort, but it’s totally doable. Check your local TV guides, utilize online resources, and make sure you stay updated with any changes to the schedule. By using all the information, you will be sure to catch every second of Baltimore Ravens football!