Look, we’ve all been there. It’s ten minutes before kickoff, you’ve got your jersey on, the wings are hot, and you’re frantically scrolling through a digital TV guide that seems designed by someone who hates football fans. You just want to know what is the ravens game on, and instead, you’re getting ads for local news or "Paid Programming." It’s frustrating. It’s annoying. And honestly, in the era of fragmented streaming rights, it's becoming a part-time job just to track down Lamar Jackson and the flock.
The Baltimore Ravens aren't just any team; they are ratings gold. Because they play such a high-stakes, highlight-reel style of football, their broadcast schedule is a chaotic mess of local CBS affiliates, national primetime slots on ESPN or NBC, and the occasional "exclusive" streaming headache on Amazon Prime or Netflix. If you aren't paying attention to the weekly flex scheduling, you might find yourself staring at a blank screen while your group chat is already exploding over a 40-yard scramble.
Why Finding the Ravens Game Is So Complicated Right Now
Blame the money. Seriously. The NFL signed massive media rights deals that kicked into high gear over the last couple of seasons, and the result is a jigsaw puzzle of coverage. Gone are the days when you just turned on Channel 13 in Baltimore and called it a day.
If it's a Sunday afternoon game and the Ravens are playing an AFC opponent (which is most of the time), you’re usually looking at CBS. But wait. If they are playing an NFC team at home, it might jump over to FOX. Then you have the "National Window." If the NFL decides the Ravens vs. Bengals is the game of the week, they might move it to 4:25 PM ET, meaning you’re watching it on whatever national station has the "A-Team" announcers that week.
Then there is the streaming situation. We have to talk about it. It’s the elephant in the room.
The Streaming Shakedown
Remember when you only needed cable? Those days are dead. If the Ravens are playing on Thursday Night Football, you aren’t finding that on traditional TV unless you live in the immediate Baltimore metro area (where local stations are legally required to carry it). Everyone else? You’re logging into Amazon Prime Video.
And don't even get me started on the holiday games. The NFL has started selling off individual "event" games to the highest bidder. We've seen games land on Peacock and, more recently, the massive Netflix deal for Christmas Day games. If you’re asking what is the ravens game on during a holiday, the answer might actually be an app you usually use to binge-watch Stranger Things.
How to Check the Schedule Like a Pro
Don't trust the generic "sports" apps that haven't updated since Tuesday. The best way to be certain is to check the official Ravens website or the NFL’s own digital media hub.
- Check the "Flex" Status: The NFL can "flex" Sunday night games starting as early as Week 5. If the Ravens are underperforming (unlikely) or their opponent is a dumpster fire, NBC might swap them out for a better matchup. Conversely, if they are on a hot streak, a boring 1 PM game can suddenly become a 8:20 PM Sunday Night Football extravaganza.
- The Local Rule: If you live in Baltimore or the surrounding counties, you have it easier. Under NFL rules, even if a game is sold to a streaming service like Amazon or ESPN+, a local over-the-air station (usually WJZ-TV or WBAL) will broadcast it for free.
- Out-of-Market Woes: If you’re a Ravens fan living in, say, Austin, Texas, you are at the mercy of the "coverage map."
Understanding Coverage Maps
Every Wednesday, sites like 506 Sports release color-coded maps. They are the holy grail for fans. They show exactly which parts of the country will see which games on their local CBS and FOX stations. If you’re in a "green zone" but the Ravens are in the "red zone," you’re out of luck unless you have NFL Sunday Ticket via YouTube TV.
It’s a weird system. You’d think in 2026 we’d just be able to pay $5 to watch one game, but the league still loves those billion-dollar broadcast packages that force us into these weird geographical boxes.
What Is the Ravens Game On for Primetime?
Primetime is where the Ravens live. Because Lamar Jackson is a human highlight reel, the league loves putting Baltimore in the spotlight.
- Monday Night Football: This is strictly ESPN and sometimes ABC. If it’s a "doubleheader" night, pay close attention. One game might be on the main cable channel while the other is tucked away on ESPN+.
- Sunday Night Football: This is NBC. It’s the easiest one to find. It’s also available on Peacock.
- Thursday Night Football: As mentioned, this is almost exclusively Amazon Prime.
The "ManningCast" is another factor. Sometimes the game is on ESPN, but the fun version of the game—with Peyton and Eli Manning—is on ESPN2. If you want analysis and humor instead of standard play-by-play, that’s where you go.
The Radio Alternative
Sometimes the TV situation is just too much. Maybe you’re driving. Maybe you’re blacked out.
In Baltimore, the flagship stations are 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (1090 AM). The legendary Gerry Sandusky (no relation to the Penn State guy) handles the play-by-play. Honestly, listening to a Ravens game on the radio while sitting on your deck is a top-tier experience. There’s a grit to it that matches the team’s "Play Like a Raven" mantra.
If you’re outside of Maryland, you can stream the radio broadcast through the Ravens mobile app or SiriusXM. The "Home" feed will always give you the Baltimore announcers, while the "Away" feed gives you the other guys. Choose wisely.
The NFL+ Factor
If you are okay with watching on a phone or tablet, NFL+ is a sneaky good deal. You can’t cast it to your 75-inch TV (the NFL is very protective of their TV partners), but for a few bucks a month, you can watch any local or primetime game live on your mobile device. It’s the ultimate "I’m stuck at a wedding" workaround. Just keep the cheering to a minimum during the vows.
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Common Misconceptions About Ravens Broadcasts
People often think that if they have a "sports package" on cable, they get every game. Nope. "Sports packages" usually just give you things like the Outdoor Channel or regional networks like MASN (which handles Orioles games). They do almost nothing for NFL fans.
Another myth? That "The game is blacked out."
The NFL actually suspended its blackout policy years ago. If a game isn't on your TV, it's not because the stadium didn't sell out; it's because another game was chosen for your specific market. It’s a subtle difference, but it means the "fix" is usually a different subscription, not a ticket sale.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for the Season
Since the schedule shifts, you need a mental framework.
- Early Sunday (1 PM): Usually CBS.
- Late Sunday (4:25 PM): Either CBS or FOX.
- Sunday Night: NBC/Peacock.
- Monday Night: ESPN/ABC.
- Thursday Night: Amazon Prime.
- International Games: If the Ravens head to London or Germany, get ready for a 9:30 AM ET kickoff on NFL Network or Disney+. Yes, they’ve even put games on Disney+ with Toy Story-themed graphics. It’s a weird world.
Actionable Steps to Never Miss a Kickoff
To stop asking what is the ravens game on every single week, do these three things right now:
- Download the Baltimore Ravens App: Enable "Game Start" notifications. They will send a push alert 15 minutes before kickoff telling you exactly which channel is carrying the broadcast in your area.
- Bookmark 506 Sports: Check it every Wednesday afternoon. It is the only way to see those geographical coverage maps that determine if your local affiliate is showing the Ravens or some random NFC South game nobody cares about.
- Check Your Logins: If it’s a Thursday or a holiday, make sure your Amazon or Netflix password actually works before the game starts. There is nothing worse than missing a first-quarter touchdown because you’re doing a password reset.