Look, I get it. You just want to sit down, crack a drink, and see some high-stakes sports without playing "where's Waldo" with your remote. But the reality is that the 2026 sports landscape is a bit of a mess. Gone are the days when you just flicked on ESPN and called it a night. Now, you’ve got games scattered across five different apps, three broadcast networks, and some "exclusive" deals that frankly feel like they're trying to test our patience.
If you're asking where can i watch the playoffs, the answer depends entirely on which ball (or puck) is currently in play. Right now, we are smack in the middle of the NFL Divisional round, and the rules for January aren't the same as the rules for June.
NFL Playoffs: The January Gauntlet
If you’re trying to catch the divisional games happening right now (specifically today, Saturday, January 17, 2026), you need to be quick. The Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos game is kicking off at 4:30 PM ET on CBS. If you’ve cut the cord, your savior is Paramount+. It’s the easiest way to get the CBS feed without a box.
Later tonight, at 8:00 PM ET, the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are clashing on FOX. For streamers, this one is slightly trickier. You’ll want the Fox One app or a live TV service like YouTube TV.
The NFL is weirdly loyal to the "big four" networks, but they've started flirting with tech giants. You likely saw the Packers vs. Bears game on Prime Video last week. For the rest of this month:
- Sunday, Jan 18: Texans vs. Patriots at 3 PM (ABC/ESPN) and Rams vs. Bears at 6:30 PM (NBC/Peacock).
- Conference Championships (Jan 25): The AFC is on CBS/Paramount+ and the NFC is on FOX/Fox One.
- Super Bowl LX (Feb 8): This one belongs to NBC and Peacock.
Basically, if you don't have Peacock and Paramount+ installed on your smart TV by now, you're going to miss half the action. Honestly, just grab the monthly subs and cancel them once the trophy is hoisted.
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NBA and the New Media Deal Shakeup
The NBA is in a state of flux. If you’re looking ahead to the 2026 NBA playoffs, throw out everything you knew about TNT. The "Inside the NBA" crew might be legendary, but the rights have shifted.
The new heavy hitters are NBC and Amazon Prime Video.
When the playoffs roll around this spring, you’re going to see a lot of "Sunday Night Basketball" on NBC. For the streaming-only crowd, Peacock is going to be your best friend. Amazon Prime has also carved out a massive chunk of the postseason. You'll likely see a "game of the week" vibe there.
Wait, what about ESPN? They’re still in the mix. They kept the NBA Finals, so if you want to see the ring ceremony, you still need a way to access ABC or ESPN Unlimited. It’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, but the core takeaway is: NBC is back, and TNT is out.
Major League Baseball: Diamonds and Apps
Baseball fans have it arguably the toughest. MLB has deals with everyone from Apple to Netflix. Yes, you heard that right. Netflix is now the exclusive home of the Home Run Derby.
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For the actual 2026 postseason:
- FOX and FS1 still handle a huge chunk of the NLCS/ALCS.
- TBS (via Max) usually carries the other half.
- Peacock has taken over "Sunday Leadoff," and they’ll have a presence in the Wild Card rounds.
- Apple TV+ keeps their "Friday Night Baseball" slot, though playoff exclusivity there is usually limited.
If you're wondering where can i watch the playoffs for baseball, your best bet is a "Live TV" streamer like Fubo or Hulu + Live TV. They tend to carry the RSNs (Regional Sports Networks) and the big national channels in one package, saving you from having six different logins.
NHL and the Ice Problem
Hockey is surprisingly stable compared to the others. The ESPN+ and Max (TNT Sports) duo is still the way to go.
If you want the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
- ESPN/ABC: They alternate years for the Finals. In 2026, check the schedule, but usually, if it's on ABC, you can stream it on the ESPN app.
- TNT/TBS: These games stream on the Max app via the B/R Sports Add-on.
For the out-of-market enthusiasts, NHL Power Play on ESPN+ is basically mandatory. It carries almost everything that isn't a national broadcast.
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Soccer: The Apple Monopoly
If you’re a fan of MLS, stop looking at your cable guide. It’s not there. Well, maybe one or two games are on FOX, but for the MLS Cup Playoffs, you need the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
It doesn't matter if you have an iPhone or an Android; you just need the app. There are no blackouts, which is a rare win for fans. One subscription gets you every single playoff game. It’s the most straightforward "where to watch" answer in all of sports.
Actionable Tips for the Budget-Conscious Fan
Don't go out and buy five annual subscriptions. That's a waste of money. Instead, do this:
- Rotate your subs: Only pay for Paramount+ in January for the NFL. Cancel it and move to Peacock for the Super Bowl and NBA.
- Check your cell plan: T-Mobile often gives away MLS Season Pass. Verizon sometimes bundles the Disney/Hulu/ESPN+ trio.
- Digital Antennas: If you live in a city, a $20 antenna gets you FOX, NBC, CBS, and ABC for free. Forever. It’s the ultimate "life hack" for the playoffs.
- Free Trials: Most services like YouTube TV offer a 7-to-21-day trial. Save those for the week of the championship to watch for free.
The landscape is fragmented, and it's annoying, but with a little planning, you can catch every buzzer-beater and touchdown without going broke. Keep a close eye on the specific kickoff times for the divisional round this weekend, as those Saturday and Sunday slots are split strictly between CBS, FOX, and NBC.