For fans of the Buffalo Bills, following their team throughout the NFL season is a cherished experience, but one of the most common questions for any viewer is, “What channel is the Bills game on?” Whether you’re watching from home, at a sports bar, or trying to stream the game online, finding the correct channel is crucial to make sure you don’t miss a moment of the action. In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know about watching the Buffalo Bills games, including television networks, streaming services, and local broadcasting options.
National Broadcast Networks: The Big Three
The Buffalo Bills, like most NFL teams, have their games aired on national television, and these games are typically broadcast by one of the major national sports networks: CBS, Fox, or NBC. The Bills’ games on these networks are generally part of the league’s scheduled broadcasts. Here’s a breakdown of each:
1. CBS (American Football Conference Games)
As the Buffalo Bills are a part of the AFC (American Football Conference), the majority of their games are broadcast on CBS. If the Bills are playing another AFC team, the game is usually aired on CBS. This includes the majority of their regular-season games as well as some playoff matchups.
In terms of scheduling:
- Early Afternoon Games: Many Bills games are scheduled for 1:00 PM ET on Sundays, which is a prime timeslot for CBS. If the game is being broadcast nationally, it will usually be available to most viewers across the country.
- Late Afternoon Games: Bills games may also be scheduled for the 4:25 PM ET slot, which CBS fills with games involving teams in the same conference. CBS typically alternates airing different regional games, so it’s important to check your local listings.
2. Fox (AFC vs. NFC Games)
Another major network that broadcasts Buffalo Bills games is Fox. When the Bills face off against an NFC opponent, the game is usually broadcast on Fox. This applies to both regular-season and preseason games, and it’s not uncommon for inter-conference games to be played on Sunday afternoons in the 1:00 PM ET or 4:05 PM ET slots.
Fox typically splits its Sunday broadcast coverage based on regional markets, so depending on where you live, you may see the Bills game or a different matchup featuring NFC teams.
3. NBC (Sunday Night Football)
NBC is home to the Sunday Night Football (SNF) games, which feature some of the best matchups in the NFL. While it’s less common for the Buffalo Bills to be featured in this coveted prime-time slot, there are instances when they play in a Sunday night game. In such cases, NBC will broadcast the game nationwide at 8:20 PM ET.
Keep in mind that the SNF schedule is often finalized later in the season, and some games are flexed into the Sunday night slot based on team performance and playoff implications.
ESPN (Monday Night Football)
Another prime-time option for Buffalo Bills fans is ESPN, which broadcasts Monday Night Football (MNF). The Bills are sometimes featured on MNF, especially if their season is looking strong or if the matchup has high playoff stakes.
MNF is scheduled for 8:15 PM ET every Monday night during the NFL season, and ESPN offers a mix of AFC and NFC teams. Like NBC’s Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football is a nationally broadcast event, meaning fans can watch it across the country.
NFL Network (Thursday Night Football)
The NFL Network broadcasts the Thursday Night Football (TNF) games, which take place on Thursday evenings at 8:15 PM ET. Depending on how the NFL schedules its games, the Buffalo Bills might be featured on TNF at some point during the season. TNF is often a mixed bag, with matchups between teams from both the AFC and NFC.
If you have access to the NFL Network through your cable or satellite provider, you can tune in to watch the Bills on Thursday night. However, it’s important to note that some Thursday night games, particularly later in the season, are also simulcast on other networks like Fox or Prime Video.
Local Broadcasts and Regional Coverage
If you’re in the Buffalo region or New York state, you’ll likely have access to local broadcasts on channels that carry the Bills’ games. These local networks may differ depending on whether the game is broadcast nationally or regionally. Local affiliates often air Bills games during the regular season.
1. Buffalo Area Broadcasts
In Buffalo, the Bills’ games are broadcast by WIVB-TV (CBS 4) and Fox affiliate WUTV (Fox 29). Local broadcasters such as these will carry all of the Bills games available in the Buffalo area. Additionally, NBC affiliate WGRZ provides coverage of special games like Sunday Night Football or any special broadcasts that air on NBC.
For the most part, local CBS and Fox stations provide coverage for home and away games that are not picked up by national networks. This means that if you’re in the local market, you’ll have access to most of the Bills’ games, including regional matchups and games that air on national channels.
2. Local Coverage in Other Markets
Outside of Buffalo, regional CBS and Fox stations will broadcast the Bills games depending on the specific market. These games are often determined by the NFL’s broadcast map, which takes into account the geography and the other games in your area. For example, fans in cities like Rochester, Syracuse, and other upstate New York locales will likely see a lot of Buffalo Bills action on their local CBS or Fox affiliate channels.
Streaming the Buffalo Bills Game
With the increasing popularity of streaming services, many fans now prefer to watch their team through online platforms. Fortunately, there are several options for streaming the Buffalo Bills game live, either through network apps or streaming services.
1. NFL Game Pass
One of the most popular streaming services for NFL games is NFL Game Pass, which allows you to stream live out-of-market games. This service is available both domestically (with blackout restrictions) and internationally. For international viewers, NFL Game Pass is an excellent way to keep up with the Buffalo Bills even if you’re outside the United States.
2. Streaming Platforms (Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV)
Several subscription-based streaming platforms also offer live NFL games as part of their channel lineup:
- Hulu + Live TV: Hulu offers access to CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN with their live TV package. This means you can watch all of the major broadcast games, including Buffalo Bills matchups, either live or on-demand.
- Sling TV: Sling TV provides access to ESPN, Fox, and NBC, which cover a good portion of the Bills games. While Sling doesn’t carry CBS directly, you can get a similar set of games through the Fox and NBC coverage.
- YouTube TV: YouTube TV carries the major broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN), making it a great option for streaming live NFL games, including Buffalo Bills games.
3. Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night Football)
For Thursday Night Football, which is broadcast exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in recent years, you can tune in to stream live Bills games on the platform if they are part of the Thursday night slate. To access this content, you’ll need an active Prime membership.
4. Direct Streaming via Network Apps
In addition to third-party platforms, many of the major networks (CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN) offer their own streaming apps. These include:
- CBS All Access (now Paramount+)
- Fox Sports
- NBC Sports
- ESPN app
By downloading these apps, you can stream the Bills game on your phone, tablet, or smart TV, provided you have a cable subscription or streaming service that includes those channels.
Conclusion
The Buffalo Bills have a strong and dedicated fanbase, and with multiple broadcast networks and streaming services available, watching their games has never been easier. Depending on whether the Bills are playing an AFC or NFC team, their game will typically be broadcast on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN. For fans who prefer to stream, options like NFL Game Pass, Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Amazon Prime Video offer plenty of flexibility to watch the game live from virtually anywhere.
Regardless of how you choose to tune in, understanding what channel the Bills game is on and knowing your local and national options will ensure that you never miss out on the excitement. Whether it’s a thrilling win or a nail-biting comeback, being able to find the game is the first step toward enjoying the ride with the Buffalo Bills!
