Finding out is the Cowboys game on TV used to be a simple matter of turning to Channel 4 or 11 and cracking a drink. Not anymore. Now, you’ve basically got to have a PhD in streaming services and broadcast rights just to see Dak Prescott take a snap. It’s frustrating. One week they’re on CBS, the next they’re behind a Peacock paywall, and then suddenly they’re the only thing on Amazon Prime on a Thursday night.
Look, the Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise on the planet. Because of that, the NFL and the networks treat their schedule like a game of high-stakes Tetris. They want the most eyeballs, which means the Cowboys get flexed into primetime more than almost any other team. If you’re staring at your remote wondering where the game went, you aren't alone.
The broadcast maze: Where to look first
Most of the time, the Cowboys live on FOX. That’s been the "home" of the NFC for decades. If it’s a Sunday afternoon and they’re playing another NFC powerhouse like the Eagles or the 49ers, start your search there. But here is the kicker: the NFL’s "cross-flexing" rules mean CBS can now snatch up Cowboys games that would have traditionally been on FOX.
It’s about the money.
When the Cowboys play an AFC opponent—say, the Chiefs or the Ravens—it usually defaults to CBS. However, the league keeps these rights fluid to ensure the "biggest" game reaches the most homes. If you are in the Dallas-Fort Worth "home" market, you’re usually safe with local affiliates like KDFW (FOX 4) or CBS 11. But if you're a fan living in New York, Florida, or out in Cali, you’re at the mercy of the "map."
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The dreaded regional blackout
Ever heard of 506 Sports? You should bookmark it. Every Wednesday, they drop color-coded maps showing which parts of the country get which games. If the Cowboys are playing at the same time as the regional team in your area, and it’s on the same network, you’re probably out of luck on standard cable.
This is where the NFL Sunday Ticket comes in. Now hosted on YouTube TV, it’s the only way to bypass those regional maps. It’s expensive. Honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch to the wallet, but if you’re a die-hard fan outside of Texas, it’s the only way to ensure the answer to is the Cowboys game on TV is always "yes."
Primetime and the streaming shift
Thursday Night Football is now an Amazon Prime exclusive. If the Cowboys are playing on a Thursday, don't go looking for them on cable unless you're in the local Dallas market, where a local station is legally required to simulcast it. For everyone else, you need that Prime subscription.
Then there’s Monday Night Football on ESPN. Sometimes they’ll simulcast it on ABC, but not always. And don't forget NBC’s Sunday Night Football—the "crown jewel" of the week. Al Michaels might be gone, but the production value is still the gold standard.
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What about those "exclusive" streaming games?
We saw it with the Dolphins-Chiefs playoff game and a few regular-season matchups recently—games moving exclusively to Peacock or Netflix. The NFL is testing us. They want to see how many people will sub to a new service just for 60 minutes of football. If the Cowboys end up on a platform like Netflix (which is handling the Christmas Day games now), you’ll need a login. No way around it.
Getting the game for free (The legal way)
You don't always have to pay. If you live within range of a broadcast tower, a simple $20 digital antenna from a big-box store can pull in FOX, CBS, NBC, and ABC in high definition. No monthly fee. No lag. It’s actually a higher quality signal than what you get through most cable boxes because the data isn't as compressed.
If you're on the move, the NFL+ app is an option, though it’s limited. You can watch "local and primetime" games on your phone or tablet. The catch? You can’t cast it to your TV. It’s a "small screen" experience only. For some people, that’s fine. For a Thanksgiving Day showdown? You probably want the 65-inch screen.
Why the schedule keeps changing
The NFL uses "Flexible Scheduling." This allows them to move a lackluster Sunday afternoon game into the Sunday Night Football slot on NBC. They usually do this later in the season (starting around Week 5, but becoming more common after Week 12).
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If the Cowboys are winning, expect them to get moved into primetime. If they’re struggling, they might actually get bumped out of a national slot. The league has to give at least 12 days' notice for these changes (or 6 days in the final week of the season). So, the schedule you printed out in August? It’s probably wrong by November.
Final checklist for kickoff
Before the clock hits zero and the ball is on the tee, run through this mental list to find the game:
- Check the local listings: Use a site like Zap2It or your TV’s built-in guide.
- Identify the network: Is it a "National" window (4:25 PM ET) or the early slot (1:00 PM ET)?
- Confirm the platform: Sunday is usually FOX/CBS; Monday is ESPN/ABC; Thursday is Amazon; Saturday/Holiday games could be anywhere.
- Check your location: If you’re out of market, verify if the game is being "protected" in your area or if you need a streaming workaround.
The best way to stay ahead is to follow the official Cowboys social media accounts or the NFL’s "Ways to Watch" page about 24 hours before kickoff. They usually post a direct graphic showing exactly where the game is airing. Once you have the channel, you're set to watch the drama unfold.
Actionable next steps for fans
To make sure you never miss a kickoff, download the NFL app and set the Cowboys as your favorite team; it sends a "Game Starting" notification with the broadcast channel included. If you’re a "cord-cutter," consider a trial of FuboTV or YouTube TV during the heavy-use months of November and December, as these services carry almost all the local and sports channels you'll need. Lastly, if you are relying on an antenna, do a "channel scan" the morning of the game to ensure your signal strength is peaked for the local affiliate.