You're sitting on the couch, wings are getting cold, and you realize you have no idea where the game is. It happens. The NFL's TV deals are a massive, confusing web of broadcast networks, streaming exclusives, and regional blackouts that could make even a math professor's head spin. If you're trying to figure out what channel do the lions play on, the answer depends entirely on the day of the week and where your house is located.
The Detroit Lions have become one of the most watchable teams in the league. Because of that, they aren't just stuck in the 1:00 PM Sunday slot on FOX anymore. They are prime-time darlings now.
The Most Common Way to Watch the Lions
Most of the time, you'll find the Lions on FOX. Since they are an NFC team, FOX owns the primary broadcast rights for their Sunday afternoon games. If you live in Michigan, or even parts of northern Ohio and Indiana, you just need a pair of rabbit ears or a basic cable package to catch the action on your local FOX affiliate, like WJBK in Detroit.
But it isn't always that simple.
Sometimes CBS gets the nod. This usually happens when the Lions are playing an AFC opponent at home, though the NFL’s "cross-flexing" rules allow the league to swap games between networks to ensure the best matchups reach the widest audiences. Basically, if it's a Sunday afternoon, check FOX first, then flip to CBS.
The Streaming Shift
Everything changed a few years ago. Now, a "channel" isn't always a number on a remote. If the Lions are playing on a Thursday night, they are almost certainly on Amazon Prime Video. This is a bitter pill for some fans who don't want another subscription, but it’s the reality of the modern NFL. The only exception is if you live in the Detroit local market; by NFL rule, Thursday night games must be broadcast on a local over-the-air station so fans without internet can still watch their team. Usually, this ends up being FOX 2 or WDIV-Local 4 in the Detroit area.
Prime Time and the Bright Lights
When the Lions are good—and they are very good lately—they get the "national" treatment. This means NBC for Sunday Night Football or ESPN/ABC for Monday Night Football.
The roar is louder under the lights.
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If you're looking for the game on a Monday, you're heading to ESPN. However, many Monday night games are now simulcast on ABC, which is great for the cord-cutters. For Sunday Night Football, it’s NBC all the way, or you can stream it on Peacock.
Wait, Peacock.
We have to talk about the exclusive streaming games. The NFL has started putting certain playoff games or international games exclusively on Peacock or even Netflix. While the Lions haven't been relegated to a "streaming-only" international game recently, always keep an eye on the schedule for those weird 9:30 AM ET kickoffs from London or Germany. Those usually land on NFL Network.
Out-of-Market Woes
What if you're a Lions fan living in Florida or California? This is where the question of what channel do the lions play on gets expensive. If the game isn't "national," you won't see it on your local FOX or CBS station. You'll see the Bucs or the Rams instead.
Your only legal option for every single Sunday game is NFL Sunday Ticket, which is currently hosted on YouTube TV.
It costs a pretty penny. Honestly, it’s a lot of money just to see Dan Campbell go for it on 4th and short, but for die-hards, it's the only way to guarantee you don't miss a snap. You can buy it as a standalone "Primetime Channel" on YouTube or as an add-on to the YouTube TV cable-replacement service.
The Thanksgiving Tradition
The Lions and Thanksgiving are inseparable. Every year, without fail, the Lions play at 12:30 PM ET on the fourth Thursday of November. The channel rotates slightly, but it's almost always FOX or CBS. In 2024 and 2025, the broadcast rights for the early Thanksgiving game have remained a staple of the network rotation. It is the one game of the year where you don't have to hunt; just turn on the TV while the turkey is in the oven, and they'll be there.
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Why the Channel Changes Last Minute
Ever heard of "Flexible Scheduling"? The NFL loves it. It's great for TV ratings but a nightmare for fans trying to plan a watch party.
Starting as early as Week 5, the NFL can move games into or out of Sunday Night Football. They can also move games between the 1:00 PM and 4:05/4:25 PM windows. Usually, they give fans at least 12 days' notice, but late in the season (Weeks 14-17), they can change the time and channel with only six days' notice.
If the Lions are in a high-stakes game against a division rival like the Packers or Bears, there is a very high probability that NBC will "flex" them into the Sunday night slot. If that happens, the game moves from FOX/CBS to NBC. Always check the official Lions website or the NFL app on the Tuesday before the game to make sure the time hasn't shifted.
Practical Steps to Find the Lions Today
Finding the game shouldn't be a chore. Here is exactly how to verify the channel every single week so you aren't scrolling through a guide while the kickoff is happening.
- Check the Official Lions Schedule: Go to DetroitLions.com. They list the broadcast partner (FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, or Amazon) right next to the game time.
- Use a Sports App: Download the ESPN or The Score app. Set the Lions as your favorite team. You will get a notification an hour before kickoff telling you exactly which channel the game is on.
- Local Affiliates: If you're in Michigan, memorize your locals. FOX 2 (WJBK), WDIV (NBC), and WXYZ (ABC) are your best friends.
- The "Live" Tab: If you use a streaming service like FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV, go to the "Sports" or "Live" tab. If the game is available in your area, it will be the first thing highlighted.
- NFL+: If you don't mind watching on a phone or tablet, you can subscribe to NFL+. It’s relatively cheap and lets you watch live local and prime-time games. The catch? You can't cast it to your TV. It has to be on the mobile device.
The landscape of NFL broadcasting is shifting toward digital platforms, but for now, the Detroit Lions remain a fixture of traditional television. Whether it's the grit of a 1:00 PM divisional battle on FOX or the electricity of a Monday Night Football clash on ESPN, knowing where to look is half the battle. Just remember: Sunday afternoon is FOX/CBS, Thursday is Amazon, and the big nights belong to NBC and ESPN.