Super Bowl 52 is happening on Sunday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. EST. But if you, like many of our readers, have recently decided to cut the cable cord, you might be wondering how you’re going to watch the big game live. The good news? It’s going to be really, really easy.
Last year, FOX Sports offered a free live stream of the game at FOXSportsGo.com. The year before, CBS Sports streamed the game on CBSSports.com. You didn’t need a TV, a special app, or a cable subscription. All you needed was an internet connection and laptop, tablet or smartphone.
While this year’s Super Bowl will be broadcast on NBC, cord-cutters will be happy to hear the network change isn’t going to affect the ease of streaming the game online. According to a press release from NBC Sports:
“Not only is Super Bowl Sunday the biggest day in television, but it’s also become one of the most-streamed days of the year,” said Rick Cordella, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Digital Media, NBC Sports Group. “As a result, we’re excited to take this opportunity to provide special one-day-only access to consumers, many of whom will be introduced to NBCUniversal’s and NBC Sports Group’s best-in-class streaming environment for the first time.”
The press release also notes that NBC was the first network ever to stream a Super Bowl, way back in ye olden days of 2012.
You can watch 11 continuous hours of Super Bowl coverage beginning at noon ET on supported streaming platforms including:
- Mobile: NFL Mobile, Yahoo Sports app
- Tablet: NBCSports app (iOS, Android), NBCSports.com
- Connected: NBC Sports app (AppleTV, Amazon Fire, Roku, Xbox, Samsung, Smart TVs)
- Desktop: NBCSports.com (click here for details about supported browsers)
Super Bowl video streamers will not be required to log in with their cable or satellite credentials to watch.
This is possibly the best news I’ve heard all month. Although the picture quality is better when you can watch it on the free over-the-air HD signal, and I live in a major city where the over-the-air HD signal should be plenty strong, my flimsy cheapo rabbit ears sometimes flake out if someone walks or stands in the wrong spot in my apartment.
Of course, Tech Editor David pointed out that we routinely see good quality HD antennas that cost less than $20, like this one from ViewTV with a 50 mile range for $19.00. (There was also a 10% off coupon available the last time we checked!) I know, shame on me for not investing in something better, but I really just don’t watch live TV often enough for it to inspire me to do something about it. So hooray for streaming options! I’ll buy a better antenna someday.