Finding where the Jackets are playing tonight shouldn't feel like a math exam. Between the rebrands, the streaming apps, and those random games on the local news channels, it’s a lot to keep track of. Honestly, if you've been confused about why Bally Sports is gone or why some games are only on a phone app, you're definitely not the only one.
The 2025-26 season is a big deal for Columbus. It’s the 25th anniversary, there's a new coach in Rick Bowness, and the young talent like Adam Fantilli is finally starting to look like the real deal. But none of that matters if you’re staring at a "blackout" screen.
The Local Home: FanDuel Sports Network
First things first, let's address the name change. What used to be Bally Sports Ohio is now FanDuel Sports Network. They are the main home for the Jackets, carrying 76 of the 82 regular-season games this year.
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Basically, if it’s a Tuesday night game against a random team in the West, it’s probably on here. Steve Mears is still the voice of the team, and Jody Shelley—who we all know and love—is back as the lead analyst.
Where to find it on your TV dial
If you have a traditional cable box or a satellite dish, you likely already have this. It’s on Spectrum, DIRECTV, Breezeline, and even smaller providers like Armstrong or MCTV.
But what if you cut the cord? You've got three main options:
- Fubo: This is probably the easiest "cable replacement" that still has the regional sports networks.
- The FanDuel Sports Network App: You can subscribe directly for about $19.99 a month if you don't want a full TV package.
- Prime Video: This is a newer twist. You can now add the FanDuel Sports Network as an "add-on" channel inside your Amazon account.
Watching for Free: The Simulcast Games
This is a cool move the team is making for the 25th anniversary. They realize not everyone wants to pay for a sports tier. So, they’ve partnered with CW Columbus (WWHO-TV) and Gray Media to broadcast six games entirely for free, over-the-air.
You just need a cheap digital antenna from the store.
The remaining schedule for these free games in early 2026 includes a huge Metropolitan Division clash and a few late-season matchups. Specifically, keep an eye out for the March 19 game against the Rangers and the March 26 trip to Montreal. These will be on the CW in Columbus and on various local stations in cities like Cleveland, Dayton, and Cincinnati.
The National Spotlight: ESPN and TNT
Sometimes, the local broadcast gets bumped. This happens when the NHL wants to show the Jackets to the whole country. This season, Columbus has six "national" games.
Two of these are on big-boy ESPN. Mark your calendars for March 5 against the Florida Panthers and the season finale on April 14 against the Washington Capitals. Because these are national, they won't be on the local FanDuel channel.
The other four national games are "exclusive" to ESPN+ and Hulu. This is where it gets tricky. You can't watch these on cable. You have to open the app on your smart TV or phone.
What About Out-of-Market Fans?
If you live in, say, California or Florida, you can’t get the local Columbus FanDuel feed. In that case, ESPN+ is your best friend. It carries almost every single NHL game that isn't in your local area. It’s basically the modern version of "Center Ice."
The January 2026 Schedule Breakdown
We are right in the thick of the mid-season grind. Here is a quick look at where the games are landing for the rest of the month:
- Jan 15 vs. Vancouver: 7 p.m. – FanDuel Sports Network / CW Columbus (Free over-the-air!)
- Jan 17 at Pittsburgh: 7 p.m. – FanDuel Sports Network / Gray Media stations
- Jan 20 vs. Ottawa: 7 p.m. – FanDuel Sports Network
- Jan 22 vs. Dallas: 7 p.m. – FanDuel Sports Network
- Jan 24 vs. Tampa Bay: 7 p.m. – FanDuel Sports Network
- Jan 28 vs. Philadelphia: 7:30 p.m. – FanDuel Sports Network
- Jan 30 at Chicago: 8:30 p.m. – FanDuel Sports Network / Gray Media stations
Listening if You Can't Watch
If you're stuck in the car or at work, the radio network is actually top-tier. 97.1 The Fan (WBNS-FM) is the flagship. If Ohio State is playing a basketball game at the same time, the Jackets usually move over to 93.3 FM The Bus. Bob McElligott does a great job on the radio call—honestly, his energy is infectious even when the team is struggling.
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Actionable Tips for the Best Experience:
- Download the NHL App: It’s the easiest way to see exactly which channel a specific game is on about an hour before puck drop.
- Check Your Zip Code: If you’re on the border of Ohio and another state, go to the "GetMyHomeTeams" website to see which regional network you actually get.
- Set a Reminder for April 14: That's the season finale on ESPN. If the Jackets are anywhere near a wild-card spot, that game is going to be electric.
The 2025-26 Columbus Blue Jackets TV schedule is built to celebrate 25 years of hockey in Ohio. Whether you're using an old-school antenna for the CW games or streaming on your iPad via ESPN+, you've got more ways to see the cannon fire than ever before.