Look, I get it. You’re sitting there, maybe with a coffee or something stronger, wondering what channel does cleveland browns play on today because it’s a Thursday in January and football should be happening. The short answer? It’s not. Not for Cleveland, anyway.
If you were hoping to see Myles Garrett terrorizing quarterbacks or Shedeur Sanders—who, let’s be real, had a wild rookie ride—slinging it today, January 15, 2026, I’ve got some bad news. The Browns' 2025-26 season wrapped up on January 4th with a surprisingly decent 20-18 win over the Bengals. But that win was basically putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.
The Browns finished 5-12. They are out. No playoffs. No game today.
Why there is no Browns game today
Today is Thursday, January 15, 2026. In the NFL calendar, we are currently in that weird "limbo" between the Wild Card round and the Divisional round. While the NFL loves a good Thursday night game during the regular season, they don't usually schedule playoff games on Thursdays. The Divisional round kicks off this Saturday, January 17.
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Because the Browns finished dead last in the AFC North, their "channel" for the rest of the month is basically whatever hunting show or golf tournament the players are watching on vacation.
What channel does cleveland browns play on today: The 2026 Reality
Since you’re searching for what channel does cleveland browns play on today, you might be holding out hope for some kind of rescheduled game or a weird technicality. There isn't one. The 2025 season was, honestly, a bit of a train wreck for Cleveland.
After firing Kevin Stefanski on January 5, 2026—just a day after the season ended—the building is currently empty of coaches. General Manager Andrew Berry is still there, but the "channel" the Browns are on right now is more like a corporate boardroom than a football field.
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If you just need a football fix and don't care that it's not Cleveland, here is what the actual broadcast schedule looks like for the upcoming weekend:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos at 4:30 PM ET on CBS.
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN/ABC.
- Sunday, Jan 18: LA Rams vs. Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
How to watch the Browns when they actually return
When the 2026 regular season eventually kicks off in September, you'll be back to the usual suspects. If you’re a local in Northeast Ohio, you’re basically looking at:
- WOIO (CBS 19): This is the bread and butter for AFC teams. Most Sunday afternoon games live here.
- WJW (FOX 8): You’ll see them here when they play an NFC opponent at home or for certain "cross-flexed" games.
- WKYC (NBC 3): Only if they manage to get a Sunday Night Football slot, which, after a 5-12 season, might be a stretch.
- WEWS (ABC 5) / ESPN: For Monday Night Football.
- Amazon Prime Video: Still the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football.
The Shedeur Sanders Factor
One reason people might be searching for the Browns today is the sheer curiosity surrounding the roster. The 2025 season saw a massive shift with Shedeur Sanders taking over. It was polarizing. Some fans loved the flash; others missed the old-school grit. With Stefanski gone, the "channel" the Browns are on is a complete rebuild of the offensive philosophy.
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If you’re looking for Browns content today, you’re better off checking YouTube for draft prospect highlights. Cleveland has a top-seven pick and an extra first-rounder from Jacksonville. That's the real "game" being played right now.
Actionable Next Steps for Browns Fans
Since there is no game on any channel today, here is how you can actually spend your time productively as a member of the Dawg Pound:
- Track the Coaching Search: The Browns are currently interviewing candidates to replace Stefanski. Keep an eye on local reporters like Mary Kay Cabot for updates on whether they go with an offensive mind or a defensive leader like Jim Schwartz.
- Audit Your Streaming Services: If you struggled to find games this year, remember that Paramount+ carries all local CBS games, and Peacock handles the NBC games. If you are out-of-market, YouTube TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket remains the only way to see every snap.
- Check the 2026 Opponents: We already know who the Browns play next year, even if we don't know the dates. They’ll be facing the AFC South and NFC East. Start scouting those matchups now so you aren't surprised when they have to travel to Dallas or host the Jaguars.
The 2025 season is buried. The 2026 season is currently being built in a draft room. No channel needed today—just a lot of patience.