What Channel Is Detroit Lions Football On?

By Sarah Miller · August 3, 2030

The Detroit Lions football games are primarily broadcast on FOX and CBS during the regular NFL season, with select games airing on NBC's Sunday Night Football, ESPN's Monday Night Football, and Amazon Prime Video for Thursday Night Football. National broadcasts ensure wide availability across major networks and streaming platforms.

How to Watch Detroit Lions Games in 2025

Fans looking to catch every snap of the Detroit Lions' 2025 season have multiple viewing options. The team's games are distributed across national networks due to NFL broadcasting agreements. Local fans in the Detroit area typically see most games on FOX or CBS, depending on the opponent and scheduling.

National Broadcast Networks

The Lions' schedule includes a mix of regional and national games. Key matchups are often featured on primetime slots:

FOX: Primary broadcaster for NFC home games
CBS: AFC opponent games and select interconference matchups
NBC Sunday Night Football: High-profile weekly games
ESPN Monday Night Football: Occasional national appearances
Amazon Prime Video: Exclusive Thursday Night Football games

Local and Regional Viewing Options

In the Detroit metropolitan area, over-the-air viewers can access games via local affiliates:

FOX 2 (WJBK) for NFC matchups
CBS 62 (WWJ-TV) for AFC road games
Comcast SportsNet Detroit may provide pre-game and post-game coverage

Streaming Services for Live Coverage

For cord-cutters, several live TV streaming platforms carry the necessary channels:

fuboTV: Carries FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and offers cloud DVR
YouTube TV: Includes all major networks with unlimited DVR
Hulu + Live TV: Offers FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and Disney-owned content
Sling TV: Blue package includes ESPN and NFL Network; add local FOX via AirTV
Amazon Prime Video: Required for Thursday Night Football exclusives

Network	Game Type	Average Viewers (2024 Season)	Lions Appearances (2024)
FOX	Regular Season (NFC Home)	18.2 million	8
CBS	Regular Season (AFC Road)	16.7 million	4
NBC Sunday Night Football	Primetime	21.5 million	3
ESPN Monday Night Football	Primetime	10.1 million	1
Amazon Prime Video	Thursday Night	9.8 million	1

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that FOX aired the majority of Lions games in 2024, aligning with their NFC conference affiliation. Sunday Night Football had the highest average viewership, indicating the Lions' growing national appeal. Amazon Prime Video's TNF audience was lower but reflects younger, streaming-first demographics.

Common Questions About Watching Detroit Lions Games

What channel is Detroit Lions football on today?

The channel depends on the specific game. Check the official NFL schedule or your local TV listings. Most Lions games air on FOX or CBS, while primetime games appear on NBC, ESPN, or Amazon Prime Video.

Can I watch Detroit Lions games on Amazon Prime?

Yes, select Thursday Night Football games featuring the Lions are exclusively streamed on Amazon Prime Video. A Prime subscription is required to access these live broadcasts.

Are Detroit Lions games on ESPN or ABC?

Lions games occasionally appear on ESPN's Monday Night Football. Rarely, select MNF games are simulcast on ABC, especially during playoff contention periods or holiday weeks.

Do I need cable to watch Detroit Lions games?

No, you don't need traditional cable. Streaming services like fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV offer live access to FOX, CBS, NBC, and ESPN, allowing fans to watch without a cable subscription.

Why are some Detroit Lions games not available locally?

Due to NFL broadcast rules, games may be blacked out locally if not sold out. However, this is rare today. More commonly, national games override local broadcasts, requiring fans to switch to the designated national network.