You're sitting there, wings are getting cold, and you’re frantically scrolling through your guide. It happens every year. The NFL loves to move the goalposts on us, making it feel like you need a PhD in media rights just to catch a kickoff. If you're asking what network is SNF on, the short answer is NBC. But honestly, it's gotten a little more complicated than just flipping to channel 4.
Basically, NBC is the primary home, but the digital age has invited Peacock to the party, and sometimes they even lock the door and keep a game all to themselves.
The Main Hub: NBC and the "Primary" Home
For the 2025-2026 season, NBC remains the king of Sunday night. They’ve held these rights since 2006, and they aren’t letting go anytime soon. If you have a set of "rabbit ears" or a basic cable package, you’ve got the game. It’s that simple. Most of the time.
The broadcast typically starts with Football Night in America around 7:00 PM ET. It’s the highest-rated show on TV for a reason. They spend a solid 80 minutes breaking down the afternoon's chaos before Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth take over the booth at 8:20 PM ET.
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Wait, didn't it used to be Al Michaels? Yeah, but he’s over at Amazon now calling the Thursday night games. Tirico has been the main voice for a few seasons now, bringing a slightly more "buttoned-up" vibe compared to Al’s legendary snark. Melissa Stark is still the one patrolling the sidelines, dodging Gatorade showers and getting the scoop on high-ankle sprains.
Peacock: The Plus One That Won’t Leave
Peacock is no longer just a "bonus" feature. It is a requirement for many fans. Every single game that airs on NBC is simultaneously streamed on Peacock. If your cable goes out during a thunderstorm, or if you’re one of the millions who’ve officially cut the cord, Peacock is your life raft.
But there’s a catch.
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Last season, we saw the NFL experiment with "exclusive" streaming games. For 2025, Peacock grabbed a massive Saturday night exclusive in Week 17 (December 27). If you were looking for that game on regular TV, you were out of luck unless you lived in the local markets of the teams playing. It’s a polarizing move, but it’s the way the wind is blowing.
What Network is SNF On for Spanish Speakers?
If you prefer your "touchdowns" shouted with about twenty extra O’s, you’re looking for Telemundo or Universo. These are the Spanish-language homes for the SNF package. They usually mirror the NBC schedule, providing the same high-stakes production but with a completely different energy in the booth.
How to Watch SNF Without Cable
If you’ve ditched the traditional cable box, you've actually got more options than you might think. You don't have to miss out just because you aren't paying $150 a month to a giant telecom company.
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- The Digital Antenna: This is the "old school" hack that still works. NBC is a broadcast network. If you live within range of a local affiliate, a one-time $30 purchase of an HD antenna gets you Sunday Night Football for free. Forever. No subscriptions, no logins.
- Peacock Premium: At $7.99 a month (prices tend to creep up, so check your app), it’s the cheapest way to stream the game legally.
- Live TV Streamers: Services like YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV all carry NBC. These are great, but they’re basically "cable through the internet" and will cost you upwards of $75 a month.
- NFL+: This is the league's own app. It’s great for watching on your phone or tablet, but be warned: the base tier often restricts you from casting the game to your big-screen TV. It’s meant for the fan on the go, not the fan on the couch.
The "Flex" Factor: Why the Schedule Changes
One of the most annoying—but secretly great—parts of Sunday Night Football is flexible scheduling. The NFL has a "no bad games" policy for their primetime slot.
Starting around Week 5, the league can "flex" a boring matchup out of the Sunday night spot and replace it with a high-stakes divisional battle. They usually have to give 12 days' notice, so you won't wake up Sunday morning with a different game on your TV, but it can definitely mess up your travel plans if you were heading to the stadium.
Actionable Steps for the Season
Don't wait until 8:15 PM on Sunday to figure out your setup. Here is exactly what you should do to ensure you never miss a snap:
- Check your local NBC signal: If you have an antenna, do a channel scan today. Signal strength can change based on the season or even new construction in your neighborhood.
- Audit your streaming subs: If you're relying on Peacock, make sure your subscription is active. They often run $1.99/month promos right before the season starts.
- Download the NBC Sports App: Even if you have cable, this app is a great backup. You can log in with your provider credentials and watch on your laptop if the living room TV is occupied by someone watching reality shows.
- Mark the "Exclusives": Look at the schedule for those Peacock-only or Saturday-special games. These are the ones that catch people off guard every single year.
Knowing what network is SNF on is really about knowing which app to open. Stick with NBC for the tradition, Peacock for the convenience, and keep that antenna handy for the ultimate backup plan.
To get the most out of your viewing experience, you should now verify which Week 17 games are designated as "streaming only" in your specific region to avoid a last-minute scramble.