If you’re wondering why no football on CBS today, the simple answer is that CBS broadcasts a specific slate of NFL games and college football matchups based on a predetermined schedule. If your favorite team isn’t playing or if the game isn’t part of CBS’s broadcast rights for that particular week, you won’t see it on the network. This article will delve into the intricacies of the CBS football schedule, explore the reasons behind potential game omissions, and shed light on how football is broadcast across the CBS network, including CBS Thursday Night Football and CBS Sunday Football.
Deciphering the CBS Football Schedule
The National Football League (NFL) has broadcast deals with multiple networks, and CBS is a key player in bringing professional football to your screens. Understanding the CBS NFL broadcast rights is crucial to knowing when and what to expect. CBS typically holds rights to a specific set of games each week, predominantly on Sundays. This includes early afternoon games and often the marquee late afternoon matchups.
CBS Sunday Football: A Deep Dive
CBS Sunday Football is a cornerstone of American football broadcasting. The network carries a significant portion of the AFC package, meaning many of the games featuring AFC teams will be shown on CBS. This is a major draw for football fans, as it often includes highly anticipated matchups and divisional rivalries.
Key aspects of CBS Sunday Football include:
- AFC Focus: While not exclusively AFC, CBS’s primary NFL rights package centers around the American Football Conference. This means you’ll see games featuring teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and others regularly on CBS.
- Geographic Flexibility: CBS utilizes “doubleheaders” on most Sundays. This means they broadcast two games in many markets. The earlier game might be a national broadcast or a regional game depending on your location. The later game is often the more prominent matchup, determined by market popularity and the quality of the game.
- RedZone Channel Integration: For those who subscribe to NFL RedZone or similar services, CBS games are a significant part of the package, providing continuous coverage of scoring plays across all games.
CBS Thursday Night Football: A Specific Slot
While Sundays are the primary domain for CBS NFL broadcast action, the network has also been involved with CBS Thursday Night Football in the past, often sharing rights with other networks. When CBS held Thursday night rights, it provided an additional opportunity for fans to catch live NFL action mid-week. It’s important to note that broadcast rights can change year to year, so keeping up with the latest NFL media deals is essential.
CBS College Football: Beyond the NFL
Beyond the professional ranks, CBS also plays a role in college football broadcasting. While ESPN and other networks dominate the college football landscape, CBS still secures rights to select games, often featuring prominent conferences or highly ranked teams. These matchups, typically on Saturdays, contribute to the CBS football lineup. The CBS football schedule for college games is usually announced well in advance, and fans can check local listings or the CBS Sports website for specific game times and matchups.
Why Your Favorite Team Might Not Be on CBS Today
Several factors determine whether a specific CBS football game today is broadcast in your region or nationally:
1. Broadcast Rights and Conference Alignments
As mentioned, CBS primarily broadcasts AFC games. If your favorite team is an NFC team and they are not playing an AFC opponent, or if the game is being broadcast by another network (like FOX, which typically carries NFC games), you won’t see it on CBS. The NFL’s intricate media rights deals mean different games are distributed across different networks each week.
2. Regional vs. National Broadcasts
Even within its rights package, CBS employs regional broadcasting. This means that on a given Sunday, different markets will receive different games. For example, if you live in New York, you might see the New York Jets or Giants game (if they are playing and it’s on CBS), while someone in Miami might see the Miami Dolphins game. National broadcasts are fewer and far between, reserved for the biggest games of the week that are deemed to have broad appeal. This is a common reason why people ask why no football on CBS.
3. Doubleheader Sundays
On Sundays where CBS has a doubleheader (meaning they broadcast two games), the choice of which game is shown in a particular market is often determined by:
- Local Team Preference: If a local AFC team is playing, that game is often prioritized for the market.
- Market Size and Interest: Larger markets with a higher concentration of fans for a particular team or matchup might get the more popular game.
- Competitive Matchups: The most compelling game of the afternoon, regardless of team location, might be chosen for wider distribution.
4. Special Programming and Scheduling Conflicts
While rare, sometimes CBS might preempt its regular programming, including football, for special events, breaking news, or other significant programming. This can lead to a CBS football blackout in the sense that the expected game is not shown at its usual time or on its usual channel. However, this is not the typical reason for a game not being on CBS.
Navigating the CBS Football Lineup
To ensure you’re always in the loop about the CBS football lineup, here are some recommended resources:
Official CBS Sports Website and App
The most reliable source for the CBS football schedule is the official CBS Sports website or their dedicated sports app. They provide up-to-date information on all upcoming NFL and college football games broadcast by CBS, including regional breakdowns.
Local TV Listings
Your local CBS affiliate’s website or television guide is also an excellent resource. They will clearly indicate which CBS football game today is being broadcast in your specific geographic area.
NFL Official App and Website
The NFL’s official app and website also offer comprehensive schedules and broadcast information for all games, often indicating which network will be carrying each matchup.
Common Reasons for “No Football on CBS”
Let’s address some common scenarios that might lead you to ask why no football on CBS:
- It’s Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday: CBS primarily broadcasts NFL games on Sundays, and sometimes Thursday evenings. If it’s not a designated NFL game day for CBS, you won’t see a football game.
- Your Team is NFC: If your favorite team is in the NFC, you’re more likely to find their games on FOX.
- The Game is Regionalized: You might be in a market that is receiving a different game than the one you want to watch because of CBS’s regional broadcasting strategy.
- The Game is on Another Network: The NFL has agreements with multiple networks (NBC, FOX, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video for Thursday Night Football). Your game might simply be on one of those other channels.
- College Football Schedule: If you’re looking for college football, remember that CBS only carries a selection of games. Other networks have much broader college football coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions About CBS Football Broadcasts
Q1: What time do CBS football games usually start?
CBS typically airs NFL games in two time slots on Sundays: an early afternoon game usually starting around 1:00 PM ET and a late afternoon game starting around 4:05 PM or 4:25 PM ET, depending on the broadcast. Thursday Night Football, when broadcast by CBS, usually starts at 8:15 PM ET.
Q2: Can I watch CBS NFL games online?
Yes, you can usually watch CBS NFL broadcast games online through streaming services that carry your local CBS affiliate, such as Paramount+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or FuboTV. For Sunday afternoon games, the NFL itself offers a subscription service called NFL+, which allows you to stream games broadcast on local networks in your area.
Q3: Does CBS broadcast the Super Bowl?
Yes, CBS is one of the networks that rotates broadcasting the Super Bowl. They will carry Super Bowl LIX (59) in February 2025.
Q4: What is CBS football blackout?
A “CBS football blackout” typically refers to a situation where a local CBS affiliate might choose not to broadcast a game due to contractual obligations with the NFL or league rules that prevent certain games from being shown in specific markets if a local team is playing elsewhere at the same time. However, in the modern era of streaming and wider broadcast rights, traditional blackouts are less common for national broadcasts. More often, it refers to a game not being available on CBS due to rights or regionalization.
Q5: Who is the main announcer for CBS Sunday Football?
The lead broadcast team for CBS Sunday Football typically consists of a play-by-play announcer, a color analyst, and a sideline reporter. Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Tony Romo (color analyst) have been a prominent duo for CBS NFL broadcasts. The specific team can vary slightly throughout the season.
Q6: How can I find out which specific NFL game will be on CBS in my area today?
The best way is to check your local TV listings, the CBS Sports website, or the NFL’s official app. These resources will provide the most accurate information for your specific geographic location.
Q7: Does CBS show college football games?
Yes, CBS does broadcast a select number of college football games each season. These are typically high-profile matchups featuring popular teams or conferences. You can find these games listed on the CBS football schedule.
Q8: Is Thursday Night Football always on CBS?
No, the broadcast rights for Thursday Night Football have shifted over the years. While CBS has previously shared or held rights to CBS Thursday Night Football, it is currently primarily broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, with some games also appearing on NFL Network. It’s crucial to check the current year’s NFL broadcast agreements for the most accurate information.
Q9: What is the CBS football lineup for the entire season?
The full CBS football lineup for the entire season is not released as a single, static document. Instead, the NFL announces its schedule for the upcoming season in April or May. CBS then uses this league-wide schedule to determine which games fall under its broadcast rights for each week. The exact matchups shown in your local market can change weekly due to regionalization.
Q10: I’m looking for a specific college football game. How do I know if it’s on CBS?
To determine if a specific college football game is on CBS, you will need to consult the official CBS football schedule for the current week, which is usually available on the CBS Sports website or through your cable provider’s guide. Always verify the network for the game you wish to watch.
In conclusion, the question of “why no football on CBS” is usually rooted in the complex system of broadcast rights, conference alignments, and regional scheduling that govern how professional and collegiate football is brought to viewers. By staying informed through official channels, you can ensure you never miss a CBS football game today that’s available in your area. The CBS NFL broadcast is a significant part of the football landscape, and knowing its parameters helps fans stay engaged with the sport.