You're sitting on the couch. Wings are getting cold. The clock is ticking toward kickoff, and you’re frantically cycling through your program guide only to find a cooking show where the channel of Colts game should be. It is the modern NFL fan's curse. Finding the game isn't just about turning to Channel 4 or 13 anymore; it’s basically a part-time job involving three different streaming logins and a prayer to the Wi-Fi gods.
Honestly, the broadcast landscape for the Indianapolis Colts has become a bit of a mess. Because the NFL splits its rights between CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, Amazon, and now Netflix, the answer to "what channel is the game on" changes literally every single week. If you're in the 317 area code, you usually have it easier, but for the rest of the "Colts Nation" scattered across the country, it is a weekly scavenger hunt.
The Local Broadcast Reality: CBS vs. FOX
Most of the time, the Colts live on CBS. That is the "home" of the AFC. Since the franchise is tucked into the AFC South, you can usually count on WTTV (CBS4) if you are in Indianapolis. But here is the thing: if the Colts are playing an NFC team at home—say, the Packers or the Giants—the game might jump over to WXIN (FOX59).
Why? Because the NFL changed the "cross-flex" rules. The league now has the power to move games between networks to ensure the "better" game reaches a wider audience. It’s great for the NFL's pockets, but it’s annoying for you. You might expect Jim Nantz and Tony Romo, but you end up with the FOX crew instead. Always check the primary logo on the schedule about 48 hours before kickoff.
Local fans also need to keep an eye on "blackout" logic, though that’s mostly a relic of the past. Nowadays, the bigger issue is the "secondary market" bleed. If you live in South Bend or Fort Wayne, you might get stuck with a Bears or Lions game instead of the Colts if the scheduling overlaps. It sucks, but that’s the geography of TV markets.
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If the Colts are playing on a Thursday, Sunday, or Monday night, forget everything I just said about CBS and FOX.
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Thursday Night Football is exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. If you don't have a subscription, you aren't watching unless you're in the local Indy market, where a local station is legally required to simulcast it. For everyone else, you're logging into an app.
Monday Night Football is an ESPN production. Sometimes it’s on ABC, sometimes it’s only on ESPN, and sometimes—just to make it more confusing—it’s on ESPN+ (their streaming service). Then you have the "ManningCast." Peyton Manning, the greatest to ever wear the Horseshoe, hosts an alternative broadcast with his brother Eli on ESPN2. If you want analysis mixed with Peyton screaming at the screen because a quarterback missed a read, that’s your spot.
Streaming is the New Standard
- NFL+: This is the league's own app. You can watch local and prime-time games on your phone or tablet. You can't cast it to your TV, though. It’s meant for the fan on the go.
- YouTube TV: They bought the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket. If you live in California and want to see every single Colts game, this is your only legal option. It is expensive. No way around it.
- Paramount+: Since CBS carries most AFC games, a subscription here gets you the local CBS feed.
- Peacock: NBC has Sunday Night Football. If the Colts are the main event on Sunday night, Peacock is the streaming home.
The Out-of-Market Struggle
What if you moved away? Maybe you're a displaced Hoosier living in Florida. Finding the channel of Colts game there is a nightmare. Without Sunday Ticket, you are at the mercy of the "map."
Every Wednesday, maps are released showing which parts of the country get which games. If the Colts are playing a "small market" team like the Jaguars, and the Chiefs are playing the Bengals at the same time, 90% of the country is getting the Chiefs. You’ll be stuck watching Patrick Mahomes while you’re wearing your Anthony Richardson jersey.
In these cases, you basically have two choices: go to a sports bar with a satellite dish or bite the bullet and pay for the Sunday Ticket package on YouTube. Some people try to use VPNs to spoof their location and use Paramount+, but that’s a technical headache that doesn't always work because these apps are getting smarter about tracking your actual GPS.
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Radio: The Reliable Backup
When the TV side fails, the radio side is remarkably consistent. The Colts Radio Network is massive. Matt Taylor and the crew do an incredible job. If you’re in Indiana, 93.1 WIBC or 97.1 Hank FM are the go-to spots.
The beauty of radio is that it doesn't have the same "rights" fragmentation as TV. You can also listen via the Colts app or the NFL app, though sometimes digital streaming of the radio feed is geofenced.
Technical Glitches and "Ghost" Channels
Sometimes you find the right channel, but the game isn't there. This usually happens during weather delays or if the preceding game goes into overtime. If the 1:00 PM game on CBS goes into double OT, they won't switch to the Colts game until that first one finishes. You might miss the entire first quarter.
There is also the "National vs. Regional" issue. If the Colts are in a "National" slot (usually 4:25 PM ET), the game is on everywhere. If it's a "Regional" slot (1:00 PM ET), it’s only on in certain slices of the map.
How to Check Your Specific Area
Don't trust the generic "NFL Schedule" on the main websites. They often just list the national network. Instead:
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- Go to 506 Sports. They publish the color-coded broadcast maps every Wednesday.
- Check the Colts official website. They have a "Ways to Watch" page that updates weekly.
- Check your local listings via a site like TitanTV. This shows exactly what your specific zip code’s antenna or cable provider is airing.
The Future of Watching the Colts
Expect it to get weirder. With Netflix picking up Christmas Day games and the NFL pushing more content to exclusive streaming platforms like Peacock (remember the 2024 playoffs?), the traditional "channel" is becoming a vintage concept.
The reality is that to never miss a snap, you basically need a rotating carousel of apps. It’s annoying. We all miss the days of just turning on the TV and having the game "just be there." But for now, being a fan means being a bit of a tech expert.
Practical Steps to Ensure You Never Miss a Game:
- Download the 506 Sports app or bookmark the site. Check it every Thursday morning. It is the gold standard for knowing if the game is actually airing in your city.
- Set up an Over-the-Air (OTA) Antenna. If you live within 50 miles of Indy (or any major city where the Colts are playing), a $30 antenna can get you CBS and FOX in high definition for free. It’s often a better picture than cable because it isn't compressed.
- Audit your streaming services monthly. If the Colts don't have a Thursday night game for three weeks, cancel Amazon Prime or at least stop paying for the sports add-ons you don't need.
- Follow the "Colts Communications" Twitter/X account. They often post the exact broadcast details, including which announcing crew is calling the game, a few days before kickoff.
Don't let the kickoff catch you off guard. A little bit of prep on Friday saves you from a massive headache on Sunday. Go Horse.