You’re sitting on the couch. Kickoff is in ten minutes. You grab the remote, flip to the local FOX affiliate, and... nothing. It’s a infomercial for a blender. Suddenly, you’re scrambling. We've all been there. Finding the channel of Seahawks game used to be a simple matter of knowing whether they played on Sunday afternoon or Monday night. Now? It’s a digital scavenger hunt involving three different streaming apps, two local networks, and a massive headache for anyone who just wants to see Geno Smith throw a deep ball to DK Metcalf.
The reality of NFL broadcasting in 2026 is messy. Gone are the days when every single game lived on "the big three" networks. Today, the "channel" might not even be a channel at all; it might be an icon on your smart TV.
The Local Lock: FOX and CBS
For the vast majority of the season, your best friend is still the local broadcast. Because the Seahawks play in the NFC, FOX (KCPQ 13 in Seattle) handles the bulk of the heavy lifting. This is your bread and butter for those 1:05 PM or 1:25 PM PT starts. However, the NFL's "cross-flexing" rules mean CBS (KIRO 7) occasionally steals a game, especially if the Hawks are playing an AFC opponent like the Chiefs or the Bengals.
It's weird. You’d think an NFC team would stay on an NFC network, but the league prioritizes "national windows." If CBS has a weak slate, the NFL might move a high-interest Seahawks game over there to balance the ratings.
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The Prime Time Problem
This is where people get lost. If the Seahawks are playing on a Thursday, Saturday, or Monday, the channel of Seahawks game shifts entirely.
- Thursday Night Football: This is almost exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. If you don't have a subscription, you're technically out of luck unless you live in the immediate Seattle-Tacoma market. By NFL rule, local stations are allowed to simulcast these games so fans in the home market don't have to pay for streaming. In Seattle, this usually lands on KONG or KING 5.
- Monday Night Football: ESPN is the home here, but they often "double-cast" games on ABC. If the Hawks are the main event, check ABC first for that crisp over-the-air signal.
- Sunday Night Football: Still the king of production value. NBC (KING 5) holds these rights. It's the most reliable "channel" because it never changes, though you can also stream it on Peacock.
Streaming is No Longer Optional
Let’s be honest. If you live outside of the Pacific Northwest, finding the channel of Seahawks game is a nightmare without NFL Sunday Ticket. Since Google took over Sunday Ticket via YouTube TV, the price has stabilized but the tech has changed. You don't need a satellite dish anymore. You just need a hefty budget.
But wait, there's more. We now have games exclusive to Peacock and Netflix. In 2024 and 2025, the NFL started leaning heavily into holiday-specific exclusives. If the Seahawks land a Christmas Day game, you might be looking for the Netflix app rather than a traditional cable channel. It's frustrating for older fans, and honestly, it's frustrating for anyone who hates having twelve different monthly bills.
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Why the "Channel" Changes Mid-Season
Ever noticed a game time move from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM? That's flexible scheduling. The NFL has the power to "flex" games into Sunday Night Football starting as early as Week 5. They want the best matchups in front of the biggest audiences. If the Seahawks are on a winning streak and their scheduled opponent is hot, NBC might swoop in and steal them from FOX. This changes the channel of Seahawks game with only a 12-day notice (or sometimes just 6 days late in the season).
The "In-Market" vs. "Out-of-Market" Divide
If you are in Seattle, you are "in-market." You get the games for free with an antenna. If you are a 12 in Spokane, you're usually safe. But if you're a Seahawks fan living in, say, Dallas? You are at the mercy of the "coverage map."
Every Wednesday, experts like those at 506 Sports release color-coded maps. These maps show which parts of the country get which games. If the Seahawks are playing the Giants, but the Cowboys are playing the Eagles at the same time, the Texas stations will always show the Cowboys. In that scenario, your only "channel" is a streaming service or a sports bar with a satellite.
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Common Misconceptions About Seahawks Broadcasts
People often think NFL+ allows you to watch games on your TV. It doesn't. NFL+ is restricted to phones and tablets for live local games. If you want the channel of Seahawks game on your 65-inch OLED, you need a cable login, a digital antenna, or a full-scale streaming replacement like FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV.
Also, don't rely on "international" streams if you're in the US. The NFL is incredibly aggressive at geoblocking. Using a VPN to try and access Game Pass International from a US IP address is a cat-and-mouse game that most fans eventually lose.
How to Guarantee You Never Miss Kickoff
To stay ahead of the broadcast chaos, you need a routine. Checking the channel of Seahawks game shouldn't happen at 12:55 PM.
- Download the Seahawks App: They push notifications about two hours before the game confirming exactly which local station or streaming service has the rights.
- Buy a High-Quality Digital Antenna: If you live within 50 miles of Seattle, a $30 antenna is the best investment you'll ever make. It gets you FOX, CBS, NBC, and ABC in uncompressed HD—often looking better than cable or YouTube TV because there’s no bit-rate compression.
- Check the "National" List: Is it a holiday? Is it a Thursday? If yes, start opening your apps (Prime, Peacock, or Netflix) instead of channel surfing.
The "channel" is no longer a static number on a dial. It's a moving target dictated by billionaire negotiations and tech giant algorithms. But for the 12s, the effort is worth it. Whether it's a rainy afternoon at Lumen Field or a late-night clash in Santa Clara, knowing where to turn is the first step to seeing that Seahawks victory.
Next Steps for the 12s
Before next Sunday, verify your zip code on the NFL’s official "Ways to Watch" page. If you're a cord-cutter, ensure your streaming apps are updated; there's nothing worse than a "forced update" screen right as the ball is kicked. If you're traveling, look for a "Seahawks Bar"—there are verified ones in almost every major city from NYC to Tokyo—to ensure you're surrounded by fans when the game isn't on the local hotel TV.