Ways to Watch Each Round of the NFL Playoffs

With storylines surrounding the National Football League (NFL) this season, this year’s playoff schedule is sure to be entertaining. Will the Kansas City Chiefs repeat? Can superstar quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts lead their teams to the Lombardi Trophy?

But before you can root for your favorite team, you’ll need to know where and how to watch the NFL playoffs. In this guide, we’ll provide information about the best options for watching or live streaming these matchups (including free options) to ensure you don’t miss a play.

What Channels To Watch The NFL Playoffs On

The playoffs will be broadcast by several networks:

• CBS
• ESPN
• ABC
• FOX
• NBC
• Peacock for select games​​ (will be the first streaming service ever to exclusively stream an NFL playoff game)

This Year's NFL Playoff Schedule

This year's playoffs schedule is filled with intriguing matchups and storylines, with each round broadcast on different channels:

• Wild Card Round (Jan. 13-15): There are six games on CBS/Paramount+, ESPN/ABC, FOX, NBC/Peacock, and Spanish channels like ESPN Deportes and Telemundo.
• Divisional Round (Jan. 20-21): This round will feature four hard-hitting matchups on CBS/Paramount+, ESPN/ABC, FOX, and NBC.
• Conference Championships (Jan. 28): The AFC and NFC Championships will air on CBS/Paramount+ and FOX.
• Super Bowl LVIII (Feb. 11, 2024): The pinnacle of the NFL season will be exclusively aired on CBS/Paramount+ and NFL+.

Top TV Providers and Streaming Services With NFL Playoff Games

If you’re thinking about streaming the NFL playoffs, you should consider these TV providers and streaming services.

Cable Providers

While often thought of as less convenient than a streaming service, most of the top cable providers offer streaming options for their channel packages. That means you get the reliability and full channel lineups of a cable provider along with the flexibility and on-the-go access of a streaming service.

Some great cable options include:

• Optimum
• Spectrum
• Xfinity
• Cox
• Armstrong
• Fidelity Communications
• Hargray
• GCI
• MCTV
• Mediacom
• Sparklight

Streaming Services

As an alternative to cable providers, you can also opt for a streaming service that offers live TV. Some streaming options include:

• YouTube TV: Offers 100+ channels, including all playoff channels except Peacock.
• Fubo: Known for sports coverage, Fubo includes CBS, ESPN/ABC, FOX, and NBC, making it ideal for live football.
• Hulu + Live TV: This service provides live TV, including playoff channels, which is perfect for watching live sports.
• NFL+: Provides live access to every NFL postseason game for phone and tablet users.
• ESPN+, Paramount+, Peacock: Carry select playoff games, with Peacock streaming four NFL playoff games, including wild card and divisional round matchups​.

Where to Watch The NFL Playoffs For Free

You can watch the NFL Playoffs for free with the right setup:

• Over-The-Air (OTA) Antenna: If you have a digital antenna, you can watch many playoff games for free via local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. However, it won’t allow you to watch every game.
• Attend a Watch Party: You can always go to the local sports bar or join a friend to watch and enjoy the playoffs for free.
• Free Trials: Many of the streaming services mentioned above offer free trials for first-time users. Thus, if you time it right, you may be able to catch high-definition games and commentary at no cost.

Watch The NFL Playoffs On Your Terms

The Playoffs commemorate hard work, dedication, and the celebration of excellence on the football field. Every game is different, yet the stakes are the same. Win and move forward, lose and go home.

Whether you’re streaming NFL games from the comfort of your home, watching on network channels, or taking the games on the go with your mobile devices, there are plenty of ways to ensure you can watch every NFL playoff game you’re interested in.

FAQs About Where to Watch The NFL Playoffs

Are NFL Playoff Games Available on Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime Video will not carry any NFL playoff games during the 2023-24 season. However, you can still stream CBS and Paramount+ playoff games on Prime Video, but you’ll need to subscribe using the ‘add-on channels’ function.

How Can I Watch NFL Games on My Smart TV for Free?

It’s easy to view NFL games for free on your smart TV. You only need a digital OTA antenna to access broadcast channels like CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC. This way, you can enjoy live football action during the regular season and playoffs without a cable or streaming subscription. However, this solution is not as reliable as subscribing to a package from a top TV provider.

Are the Playoffs Included in the NFL Redzone Package?

Even though NFL RedZone has a robust offering, it doesn’t include playoff games. For the most part, this channel provides comprehensive coverage and commentary for Sunday Night Football during the regular season, but it does not offer this service during the postseason.

Can I Watch the NFL Playoffs on Peacock?

This is a breakout year for Peacock. It will be streaming four NFL playoff games this season, including three wild card games and one Divisional Round game. You can stream Peacock games on your smart TV or using platforms like Roku, Apple TV, or others.

How SmartMove Can Help You Watch Every Game

Choosing the right cable provider can be a difficult task — that’s where we come in. We partner with some of the top cable TV providers throughout the country. With SmartMove, you can get connected with the best TV providers based on your home address.