The search for the 49ers game channel today has a bit of a bittersweet edge to it if you're a member of the Faithful. Honestly, the reality of the NFL calendar in mid-January can be pretty brutal. If you are looking for a live kickoff right now, on Sunday, January 18, 2026, you've actually just missed the boat by a few hours.
The San Francisco 49ers played their high-stakes NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks yesterday, Saturday, January 17.
It was a primetime 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT) kickoff that had everyone in the Bay Area glued to FOX. But if you're waking up today hoping to find the Red and Gold on your TV guide, the "channel" you’re looking for is more likely a highlights reel on NFL Network or a replay on a streaming service. The game didn't exactly go the way Kyle Shanahan planned. Seattle dominated at Lumen Field with a 41-6 victory, effectively ending the Niners' 2025-2026 campaign.
Where to find the 49ers game channel today (for the replays)
Since the live action is over, your options for watching the game today have shifted from broadcast networks to digital archives. You can't just flip to FOX and see Brock Purdy under center anymore. Instead, you've basically got three main paths to see what happened in that rain-soaked Divisional clash.
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First, there is NFL+. This is the league’s own subscription service, and it's usually the first place a full game replay lands. If you missed the live broadcast, you can watch the full-length version or the "condensed" game, which trims out the huddles and commercials. It's great if you only have 45 minutes and want to see how the defense struggled against Kenneth Walker III.
Second, if you’re a YouTube TV subscriber with the 49ers set to record on your "Library," the game should be sitting there waiting for you. This is the most seamless way for most fans. You can skip through the halftime talk and get straight to the fourth-quarter action, though, given the 41-6 score, you might want to skip most of it.
Finally, there’s the local sports coverage. NBC Sports Bay Area usually runs post-game analysis and "49ers Postgame Live" throughout the day following a playoff game. They won't show the full game, but you’ll get the raw press conference footage and player interviews that you won't see on the national news.
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Why the Sunday schedule is different this year
A lot of people assume the big 49ers playoff games are always on Sundays. That's a common mistake. The NFL splits the Divisional Round across Saturday and Sunday to maximize those sweet, sweet TV ratings. This year, the Niners drew the Saturday night slot.
Today, Sunday, January 18, the NFL schedule features a different set of Divisional matchups. You’ll see the Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos on CBS at 4:30 p.m. ET. Later tonight, another NFC matchup will likely take the stage on FOX, but the Niners' spot in the bracket has been filled by the reality of a playoff exit.
Specific ways to watch 49ers content right now
- FOX Sports App: If you have cable credentials, you can sometimes find game highlights and "mini-replays" here for 24-48 hours after the broadcast.
- Dazn (International): For fans in the UK, Mexico, or Germany, NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the gold standard. It has the full 49ers game channel today functionality for anyone outside the US.
- Hulu + Live TV & Fubo: These services work like a digital DVR. If you had the "record" button hit, you're golden.
What happened on the actual 49ers game channel yesterday?
It's worth talking about what actually went down on FOX last night. The broadcast featured Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady on the call. It was supposed to be a classic NFC West showdown. Instead, the Seahawks' defense looked like the "Legion of Boom" of old.
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Ernest Jones IV was everywhere. He picked off Purdy and basically shut down the middle of the field. The 49ers' offense, which had been so potent during the regular season, just couldn't find a rhythm in the Seattle noise. Christian McCaffrey dealt with a stinger early on, which clearly hampered the run game. When you're looking for the 49ers game channel today, you’re essentially looking for the autopsy of a season that had Super Bowl aspirations.
Actionable steps for 49ers fans today
If you still want your 49ers fix today, here is exactly what you should do:
- Check NBC Sports Bay Area at 4:00 p.m. PT for local reaction and locker room raw footage.
- Log into the 49ers App. They often post exclusive "Sights and Sounds" videos the day after a game that provide a more cinematic look at the matchup.
- If you have SiriusXM, tune into Channel 88 (NFL Radio). They will be doing deep-dive analysis of why the Niners' defense gave up 41 points and what the off-season looks like for the front office.
- Set your DVR for the NFC Championship game next week. Even though San Francisco won't be in it, the winner of the Seattle game will be playing for a trip to the Super Bowl, and that's a game every Niners fan will want to scout.
The season is over, but the coverage doesn't stop. You'll find plenty of "what went wrong" content on the usual channels, even if the live game has already moved into the history books.