What Channel Is the Bears Game On Today? TV Info & Streaming Guide

Catching the Chicago Bears on game day is a fall and winter ritual for many fans across the United States. But as broadcast contracts, streaming rights, and channel lineups continue to shift, simply finding out “what channel is the Bears game on today” can require more than a quick glance at a TV guide. With the NFL at the heart of broadcast negotiations and cord-cutting trends, understanding where to watch your team hinges on knowing the networks, streaming platforms, and changing partnerships that define today’s pro football landscape.

The Main Channels Carrying Bears Games in 2024

The NFL’s television ecosystem is dominated by a handful of major networks. Chicago Bears games typically air on one of these, depending on the day and the league’s broadcast schedule:

• CBS: Mostly hosts AFC matchups but sometimes airs NFC crossover games if the Bears play an AFC team.
• FOX: The default home for most Sunday afternoon Bears games, since they have rights to NFC matchups.
• NBC: Features Sunday Night Football, including select high-profile Bears matchups.
• ESPN and ABC: Home to Monday Night Football, rotating with ABC for some simulcasts or exclusive games.
• Amazon Prime Video: Exclusive rights holder for Thursday Night Football, including some Bears games.

Local and national coverage often overlap. In the Chicago region, WFLD FOX 32 often broadcasts Bears games, ensuring that out-of-market scheduling conflicts rarely affect local fans.

“The NFL’s broadcast agreements are designed to maximize fan access while giving networks exclusive windows to showcase marquee matchups,” notes sports media analyst Matt Jacobson. “For Bears fans, that means following the network and not just the time slot is essential.”

How NFL Week Scheduling Affects Channel Assignments

Beyond just knowing the major networks, each week’s NFL schedule impacts which channel you’ll need.

• Kickoff times: Early afternoon (typically 1 p.m. Eastern) games skew local, while 4:25 p.m. slots often feature national games of the week.
• Flex scheduling: In the back half of the season, NBC and other partners use flex scheduling to switch high-profile games into primetime, shifting Bears games to Sunday night if playoff implications loom.
• Special games: International series, Thanksgiving, and playoff matchups can appear on alternate networks or be subject to different broadcast rules.

This fluidity makes it critical to check not just the NFL’s official site but also local listings and team updates for last-minute changes.

Preseason, Postseason, and Blackout Rules

• Preseason: Bears preseason games often appear on different regional sports networks or cable channels not used during the regular season.
• Playoffs: Postseason Bears games can switch between FOX, CBS, NBC, and ESPN/ABC—even streaming exclusives have emerged.
• Blackout rules: While rare due to high demand, local broadcast blackouts are nearly extinct in the NFL, but streaming rights may still restrict access outside designated markets.

Streaming the Bears Game: Digital Platforms and Apps

The rapid rise of cord-cutting means millions no longer rely on traditional cable or satellite for live sports. Streaming all or part of the Bears’ schedule is now commonplace.

Official NFL Streaming Services

• NFL+: Offers live local and primetime games on mobile and tablet devices, providing a direct option for fans.
• NFL Sunday Ticket (Now available via YouTube TV): Provides out-of-market fans with access to every Sunday afternoon game, including Bears matchups not shown locally.
• NFL App/Website: Updated regularly with both highlights and streaming, especially for subscribers.

Major Network Streaming Platforms

• Peacock: Streams NBC’s Sunday Night Football games, plus a growing number of NFL Playoff broadcasts.
• Paramount+: Streams all regional and national CBS games, accessible with a subscription in relevant markets.
• ESPN+ and the ESPN App: Streams Monday Night Football games, though some may require a pay-TV login.
• FOX Sports App: Offers live streaming to cable subscribers, and sometimes free games in certain markets.

Live TV Streaming Services

Traditional cable alternatives such as:

• YouTube TV
• Hulu + Live TV
• Sling TV
• FuboTV

carry local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates in most metro areas. Each generally includes the primary networks needed to watch the full Bears schedule, though channel availability varies by location and package.

Example: How Chicagoans Watch the Bears Without Cable

Consider the scenario of a Bears fan living within city limits but without a classic TV subscription. This fan could:

1. Use Hulu + Live TV to access WFLD FOX 32 for Sunday Bears games.
2. Stream Sunday Night Football via Peacock.
3. Link up Amazon Prime for Thursday night matchups.
4. Download the NFL App to catch live local games on a mobile device.

This blended approach is increasingly typical, especially for younger or urban fans.

Real-Time Updates: Where to Check Before Kickoff

Because rights and assignments occasionally shift late in the week, up-to-the-minute information is crucial. The most reliable ways to confirm “what channel is the Bears game on today” include:

• The official Bears website (chicagobears.com), which lists broadcast info for each game.
• The NFL’s schedule page, with filters for TV network and streaming options.
• TV guide listings via your cable or satellite provider’s website or app.
• Social accounts from the Chicago Bears, often tweeting updates or channel confirmations on game day.

Bears Broadcasts: Market Variations and Out-of-Market Viewing

Watching in the Chicago metro area and tuning in from afar are different experiences. Nationally televised games (primetime slots, major rivalries, playoffs) air everywhere, but Sunday afternoon contests are subject to local market rules.

• Bears fans in Illinois and nearby regions will see nearly every game on local affiliates.
• Those outside the primary market may need NFL Sunday Ticket or rely on nearby sports bars carrying the right package.

For diehards, these regional rules make understanding your ZIP code’s coverage map essential.

Audio and Radio Alternatives

For fans unable to watch, radio broadcasts—such as through Chicago’s WBBM Newsradio 780 AM and 105.9 FM—remain a reliable way to follow every Bears snap. Many streaming services, including TuneIn and Audacy, also offer live local radio streams.

Conclusion: Mastering Your Bears Game Day Options

Knowing what channel the Bears game is on today takes a multi-pronged approach—checking network contracts, local affiliate schedules, and the burgeoning galaxy of streaming options. As traditional TV gives way to digital choices, fans who mix up sources and double-check official updates rarely miss a kickoff. Remaining flexible and informed is the best strategy for Bears loyalists eager to watch every play, no matter where they are.

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FAQs

Which network typically broadcasts most Bears games?
Most regular-season Bears games air on FOX, especially Sunday afternoon NFC matchups. However, games can also appear on CBS, NBC, ESPN, or Amazon Prime depending on league scheduling.

How can I stream the Bears game if I don’t have cable?
Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV carry most local affiliates, letting you watch games without a cable subscription. Standalone apps from major networks, as well as NFL+, offer mobile streams.

What about out-of-market fans—how can they watch Bears games?
NFL Sunday Ticket (now on YouTube TV) provides access to out-of-market games. Select games may also appear on national TV, making them available everywhere.

Are all Bears games available on streaming platforms?
Nearly all games are available through some streaming provider, though exact offerings may depend on your location and the specific network’s rights. Local blackout restrictions are rare but can occasionally apply.

Can I listen to Bears games on the radio?
Yes, Bears games are broadcast on local radio stations such as WBBM Newsradio. Streaming radio platforms also carry these broadcasts, making it easy to follow the team audibly if you can’t watch live.

Where can I find last-minute channel updates for Bears games?
The Chicago Bears’ official site, NFL.com, and the team’s social media channels regularly provide real-time updates about broadcast channels and streaming options before each game.