Look, trying to find exactly what channel the Ravens game is on today has become a total chore. It used to be simple—turn on CBS or FOX at 1:00 PM and you’re set. Now? You’ve got to juggle three different streaming apps, a local broadcast schedule that changes if you’re five miles over the state line, and the ever-present threat of a "regional blackout." It’s annoying. I get it. Honestly, if you’re sitting on your couch right now wondering why some random infomercial is playing instead of Lamar Jackson breaking ankles, you aren't alone.
The Baltimore Ravens have become a primetime staple because, let's be real, they're electric. But that popularity means their games are scattered across the broadcast universe. Depending on the week, you might need a digital antenna, a Peacock login, or even an Amazon Prime account just to see the opening kickoff.
The Ravens Game Channel Today: The Quick Breakdown
If it's Sunday afternoon, you’re almost certainly looking for CBS or FOX. Since Baltimore is an AFC team, CBS (WJZ-TV locally) is their "home" station. They handle the vast majority of the 1:00 PM and 4:25 PM slots. However, the NFL changed the rules a few years back to "cross-flex" games, meaning FOX (WBFF-TV) grabs a handful of Ravens matchups every season to balance out their ratings.
You should check your local listings for Channel 13 (CBS) or Channel 45 (FOX) if you’re in the Baltimore metro area. If you are in the D.C. market, it gets trickier because the Commanders often take priority on the local affiliates. If the Ravens and Commanders play at the same time on the same network, the D.C. station will almost always show the Commanders. It's a regional nightmare that drives fans in Montgomery County and Prince George's County absolutely wild every single season.
What About Primetime?
Monday Night Football is exclusively on ESPN, though sometimes they simulcast on ABC. If it’s a Thursday night game, don't even bother looking for a TV channel unless you live in the immediate Baltimore market; those games are strictly on Amazon Prime Video. For the Sunday Night Football crowd, it's NBC all the way.
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Then there are the "exclusive" streaming games. We saw this with the playoffs and some international games—Peacock or Netflix occasionally snagging a window. It feels like a cash grab. It probably is. But if you want to see the game, you have to play by their rules.
Why Your Location Changes Everything
Regional broadcasts are determined by "coverage maps." Sites like 506 Sports are a godsend for this. They publish color-coded maps every Wednesday showing which parts of the country get which games. If you live in, say, California, you’re only getting the Ravens game on your local CBS station if it’s the "Game of the Week" or if they’re playing a West Coast team like the Chargers or Raiders.
Otherwise, you are stuck with NFL Sunday Ticket.
YouTube TV took over Sunday Ticket from DirecTV, and while the interface is way better, the price tag is still a tough pill to swallow. It’s the only legal way to watch every out-of-market game. If you’re a Ravens fan living in "enemy territory" (looking at you, Pittsburgh or Cleveland), this is basically your only option unless you want to spend four hours at a noisy sports bar.
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The "Local" Loophole
If you’re within the Baltimore broadcast radius but don't have cable, buy a $20 digital antenna. Seriously. It’s high-definition, it’s free after the initial cost, and it doesn't have the 30-second delay that streaming services have. Nothing ruins a game like hearing your neighbor scream because of a touchdown while your stream is still showing a third-down huddle.
Streaming the Ravens Without Cable
If you’ve cut the cord, you have a few reliable paths:
- Hulu + Live TV or FuboTV: These carry your local CBS, FOX, and NBC stations. Fubo is great for sports fans, but it lacks the TNT/TBS package which doesn't matter for NFL but might for other sports.
- Paramount+: If the game is on CBS, you can stream it live here as long as you have the "Essential" or "Premium" plan.
- NFL+: This is the league's own app. It’s relatively cheap, but there’s a massive catch: you can only watch live games on a phone or tablet. You cannot cast it to your TV. It’s fine if you’re stuck at a wedding or working a shift, but it’s not a "home theater" solution.
- YouTube TV: Probably the most robust option, especially with the multiview feature that lets you watch four games at once.
Common Misconceptions About NFL Broadcasts
A lot of people think that if they have the NFL app, they can watch any game. That’s just not true. The NFL’s media rights are a tangled web of contracts worth billions of dollars. They protect the local affiliates.
Another big one? "I have ESPN+ so I can watch Monday Night Football." Nope. ESPN+ usually only carries the "ManningCast" or specific secondary broadcasts. To get the main Monday Night Football feed, you usually need a cable login or a live TV streaming subscription. It’s confusing on purpose. They want you to subscribe to multiple things.
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How to Prepare for Kickoff
Don't wait until 1:00 PM to figure this out. The "Ravens game channel today" can change based on weather delays or earlier games running long. If a 1:00 PM game on CBS goes into overtime, the Ravens kickoff might be moved to a secondary channel like SportsGrid or kept off the air until the first game ends.
Pro Tip: Follow the official Ravens Twitter (X) account or check the Baltimore Sun’s sports section about two hours before kickoff. They always post a "How to Watch" graphic that clarifies the exact channel, the announcers, and even the radio frequency (98 Rock / WBAL).
Final Checklist for Today's Game
- Check the Network: Is it a CBS (AFC) or FOX (NFC/Interconference) day?
- Verify Your Market: Are you in the Baltimore/Maryland area? If not, do you have Sunday Ticket?
- Test Your App: If you're streaming, log in 15 minutes early. Updates always seem to happen right at kickoff.
- Sync Your Audio: If you hate the TV announcers, try to sync the local radio broadcast with your TV. It’s hard to do because of the delay, but hearing Gerry Sandusky call a "Touchdown, Baltimore!" is worth the effort.
Go get your snacks ready. Check your local CBS or FOX affiliate first, and if all else fails, look toward the streaming giants. The game is out there; you just have to know which hoop to jump through today.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download the 506 Sports app or visit their site to see the weekly coverage map; this confirms if your local zip code is actually getting the game.
- Verify your login credentials for Paramount+ or Amazon Prime now, rather than five minutes after kickoff when the servers are slammed.
- Check the "NFL+ Update" if you are traveling; it’s the most reliable way to get the local radio feed if you’re driving during the fourth quarter.