The NFL’s TV policies are leaving much of Western Mass. and New England in the lunch once again ahead of the NFL Germany game between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.
Fans who live in the Greater Boston area or Central Massachusetts will have the option of watching the early game on local television, those who live elsewhere will have to rely on national options.
The Patriots are set to play the Colts at 9:30 a.m. EST as part of their latest participation in the NFL International Series. Sunday’s game will take place in Frankfurt, Germany and will be featured as a national broadcast on NFL Network. That means fans across the country can watch it. However, it also means that the game won’t be only local network TV for many.
In addition to the NFL Network broadcast, Sunday’s game is set to air on WCVB Channel 5 in the Boston TV market. For many fans, there won’t be any changes. Just turn it to CBS and the game will be on. But for those who live west of Worcester County and the rest of New England (outside Southern New Hampshire), the game will not be on local TV. Instead, fans will have to track down the national broadcast on NFL Network.
The “Boston” TV market stretches through and outside greater Boston and includes Worcester County in Massachusetts as well as some counties in southern New Hampshire (Belknap, Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford) and one county in Vermont (Windham). It also includes the North Shore, South Shore and the Cape.
In short: The game will not air on CBS or any local channels in Western Mass. Residents in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin or Berkshire county may have to find a different way to watch the game — as will other residents through the rest of New England.
If you’re stuck outside of the normal market, here are a few ways to watch the game, including some free options:
On TV – If you get NFL Network through your cable or TV provider, you can watch it there.
Live stream options: Sling | fuboTV – If you don’t get NFL Network through your TV provider, you can sign up for streaming options that you can watch on a smart TV or streaming apps. Options include Sling and fuboTV, which has a free seven-day trial if you just want the service to watch Saturday’s game.
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub | SiriusXM: 226 (NE), 225 (IND) | SiriusXM App: 821 (NE), 813 (IND) – Saturday’s game will also be available to listen via radio. If you’re looking to listen to Bob Socci and Scott Zolak on the call, you can tune in to 98.5 or check out the full broadcast network to find the game where you are.
