The NFL postseason action kicks off on Saturday, January 4, 2026, with Wild Card Weekend. DirecTV subscribers can catch every moment through a mix of national and regional broadcasts. The Divisional Round follows on January 11–12, leading into the Conference Championship games slated for January 19. The postseason then culminates with Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 1, 2026, broadcast live from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
DIRECTV delivers full coverage of all nationally televised playoff games, including prime-time matchups on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. ESPN and ESPN2 will also simulcast select Wild Card games. In-market games are aired on local network affiliates, while out-of-market coverage depends on national scheduling. Live airing times follow network patterns: afternoon games starting at 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT, and evening games typically kicking off around 8:15 PM ET/5:15 PM PT.
Need a plan for watching every snap? Here’s how DIRECTV keeps you connected from Wild Card Weekend through Super Bowl Sunday.
DIRECTV continues to deliver extensive NFL coverage through active agreements with national broadcast networks that hold playoff rights. These include CBS, FOX, and NBC, which collectively air the bulk of the postseason lineup. Under the current NFL television contract—renewed in 2021 and effective through the 2033 season—CBS and FOX alternate hosting the AFC and NFC Championship Games, while NBC holds rights to Wild Card Weekend and Sunday Night Football playoff broadcasts. DIRECTV’s carriage deals with these networks ensure subscribers receive every nationally televised playoff matchup aired on these channels.
DIRECTV maintains access to NFL playoff games through standard coverage agreements, not dependent on premium add-ons or stand-alone sports packages for broadcast network content. Playoff games aired on CBS and FOX are accessible on local affiliate channels included in all DIRECTV residential packages. NBC, which airs postseason matchups including the Wild Card round and one Divisional game, is also universally included.
Every DIRECTV TV plan—from the entry-level Entertainment package upward—includes the necessary national broadcast channels to watch the majority of postseason action. Here’s what each provides for playoff viewing:
This structure keeps playoff access consistent nationwide, as long as the subscriber's location permits reception of these network affiliates through DIRECTV’s satellite or streaming platforms. Interested in finding out which channel each playoff game is on? That part comes next.
Subscribing to NFL Sunday Ticket on DIRECTV gives access to out-of-market Sunday afternoon games—but that access ends when the regular season does. The package does not include any playoff content, including Wild Card Weekend, Divisional Round, Conference Championships, or the Super Bowl.
Once Week 18 concludes, NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers must switch to other viewing methods. DIRECTV continues to carry playoff games, but those are handled through national broadcast networks and DIRECTV's standard channel lineup. The NFL playoffs air on a mix of networks, typically including CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and ABC.
If you already have DIRECTV's base packages such as ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE, ULTIMATE, or PREMIER, you’ll receive access to the major national sports networks carrying playoff games. No additional fees are required beyond your existing package—unless you choose to add supplementary sports content.
While NFL Sunday Ticket ends its coverage, DIRECTV offers other packages that can increase your access to playoff-related content:
By shifting from NFL Sunday Ticket to DIRECTV's standard sports offerings, fans can maintain continuous NFL access through the playoff season and into the offseason coverage provided by NFL Network and other analyst platforms.
DIRECTV’s NFL playoff coverage depends heavily on your geographic market. If you're in a local market of one of the teams playing—say, you're in Philadelphia and the Eagles are in the divisional round—then the game automatically qualifies as a regional broadcast. DIRECTV will air that matchup through your local CBS, FOX, or NBC affiliate.
However, fans in other regions won’t always see the same game. For those not in the local market, game access hinges on which network holds national rights to that round and matchup. The NFL prioritizes broadcasting at least one game per time slot nationally, but some matchups remain regional based on expected viewership.
DIRECTV makes all nationally televised playoff games accessible through multiple channels. When a game appears on CBS, viewers can catch it on channel 221 (or their local CBS affiliate). NBC matches stream through channel 12 or 396 (NBC East and NBC West), while FOX games show up on channel 360. For any games exclusive to Peacock, DIRECTV subscribers must switch to streaming mode using an integrated Peacock subscription via their connected device.
You don’t need NFL Sunday Ticket for playoff games—national networks hold exclusive broadcasting rights during the postseason. DIRECTV includes these networks with its base packages, so depending on your tier, you can tune in without any add-ons or upgrades.
To confirm what game airs in your region, use DIRECTV's on-screen guide 24–48 hours before kickoff, or check the Game Finder tool on DIRECTV.com for specifics by ZIP code.
The 2025–2026 NFL Playoffs span several networks, each carrying specific rounds and games across dates and weekends. DIRECTV users can tune in using a precise channel lineup to avoid missing any Wild Card upsets, Divisional round thrillers, Conference Championship clashes, or the Super Bowl itself.
CBS continues airing pivotal AFC matchups, including at least one Wild Card game, select Divisional round contests, and alternating years for the AFC Championship. For the 2025–2026 season, CBS will broadcast the AFC Championship Game.
FOX holds broadcast rights for NFC playoff games, covering Wild Card and Divisional matchups. In the 2025–2026 rotation, FOX is not scheduled to carry the NFC Championship; that rotation goes to another broadcaster this year.
NBC carries Wild Card weekend prime-time games, with a focus on marquee matchups. The network also streams one exclusive game via Peacock. NBC may not host a Conference Championship this cycle but will take an active role in early rounds.
NBC has granted Peacock exclusive rights to stream one Wild Card game again for the 2025–2026 playoffs. This game will not air on traditional TV and requires a standalone Peacock subscription. Expect a Saturday night kickoff.
ESPN airs one Wild Card game on Monday night, simulcast on ABC. This game often features high-profile teams and generates strong viewership as a standalone finale to the opening weekend.
NFL Network airs select Wild Card games, often in partnership with another broadcaster for simulcast. These games are typically early-slot contests on Saturday or Sunday of Wild Card weekend.
Diversifying across multiple networks ensures broader access but requires viewers to be dialed in to which broadcaster handles each round. Consider pre-setting favorite channels or programming your DVR to lock in your playoff viewing schedule.
DIRECTV Stream delivers live access to every nationally broadcast NFL playoff game without the need for satellite equipment. Whether you're on the go or at home, the platform enables streaming across smart TVs, mobile devices, and streaming sticks with a high-speed internet connection. Expect high-definition video quality, minimal buffering, and interface integration that makes flipping between games effortless.
DIRECTV Stream includes key national networks—CBS, NBC, FOX, and ABC—all of which carry playoff matchups. To gain full access to playoff broadcasts, subscribers should choose from these package tiers:
DIRECTV Stream supports single-login integration with various network apps. After authentication through DIRECTV credentials, users can launch the CBS Sports app or stream live playoff coverage on Peacock, which carries select NBC broadcasts. By aggregating live feeds from these apps within the DIRECTV Stream interface or through supported devices, playoff coverage becomes consolidated and instantaneous.
No need to juggle device logins or switch platforms—once authorized, these apps sync directly into your DIRECTV Stream dashboard. This setup is especially useful once the Divisional Round and Conference Championships intensify across multiple broadcast networks.
Looking for multilingual audio feeds, alternate camera angles, or halftime analyst segments? These features often unlock through native network apps, offering control over how each game is experienced. Combined with DIRECTV Stream’s cloud DVR functionality, fans can pause live games, restart from kickoff, or rewatch every critical fourth-down attempt.
Accessing the NFL Playoffs with DIRECTV goes far beyond the traditional satellite receiver. Whether you're in the living room, commuting across town, or sitting at your desk, a wide range of supported devices ensures seamless game-day coverage. Here’s how to make DIRECTV work with the gear you already own.
DIRECTV Stream runs directly on many popular smart TV platforms, removing the need for an external streaming device. The app can be downloaded and installed on these manufacturers’ models:
With direct compatibility, these smart TVs simplify your setup—no HDMI cables or secondary remotes required.
If your television lacks native support, a standalone streaming device can bridge the gap. DIRECTV Stream performs reliably on all major streaming platforms, delivering consistent video quality up to 4K when available. Supported options include:
These options make it easy to bring DIRECTV’s full NFL Playoffs slate even to non-smart TVs while maintaining high-definition clarity and smooth playback.
Game day doesn't wait—neither should your access. DIRECTV extends full NFL Playoff streaming functionality through its unified DIRECTV App, available on:
The mobile-first experience allows users to switch screens on the fly, enabling live viewing, DVR controls, and simultaneous multitasking while following real-time scores and highlights.
DIRECTV’s mobile app gives direct access to live NFL playoff coverage, streaming on the go, and playback features. To get started, follow these setup steps:
Once set up, the app dashboard displays navigation tabs: Live TV, Guide, Browse by Sport, My Library, and Settings. NFL Playoff matchups will appear under “Live TV” and “Sports.”
Live access to NFL playoff games through the DIRECTV app hinges on your subscription package. Once authenticated, here's how to begin watching:
All national broadcasts on CBS, FOX, NBC, or ESPN are available on the app, provided your package includes those channels. Regional games appear based on location or by selecting your home market team's broadcast rights.
The DIRECTV app isn’t just a streaming platform; it enhances the experience of watching NFL playoff games through powerful features:
Whether commuting or away from home, the DIRECTV app delivers full NFL playoff coverage with broadcast quality and interactive features tailored for mobile viewing and control.
With DIRECTV’s Genie HD DVR, scheduling recordings before kickoff takes seconds and ensures none of the postseason excitement is missed. Once the NFL releases the official playoff schedule, browse through the on-screen guide using your remote. Locate the game you want, press the “Record” button, and confirm. For multi-round coverage, select “Record Series” to capture every game involving a specific team.
If you’re away from your TV, the DIRECTV app enables remote scheduling. Open the app, select the game under the Sports section, and tap “Record to DVR”. Your DVR at home will queue it instantly, even if you’re halfway across the country.
After the games are recorded, all content appears under the “Playlist” section on your TV interface. Here, episodes are grouped by title, date, and matchups played. On the app, tap “My Library” and head into “DVR Recordings” to browse and manage your saved games.
Watching a recorded playoff game hours after it aired? Then defeating spoilers becomes part of the strategy. Start by muting application notifications on sports apps like ESPN, Yahoo Sports, or Twitter. To prevent accidental channel switches, don’t surf live TV; instead, go straight into your Playlist and hit play from there.
Another practical safeguard is creating a “spoiler-free zone” at home: no phones, no texting, and no score alerts. Use DIRECTV’s customizable parental controls to temporarily black out live sports channels during your scheduled watch period. No leaks, no ruined outcomes — just pure, uninterrupted football.
NFL RedZone runs exclusively during the regular season. The channel operates every Sunday from 1:00 PM to approximately 8:00 PM ET, delivering live look-ins, key moments, and every touchdown from Sunday games. When the regular season concludes, NFL RedZone goes dark. It does not carry coverage during the NFL playoffs, including Wild Card Weekend, Divisional Round, Conference Championships, or the Super Bowl.
For fans hoping to use RedZone to track multiple playoff games, that option won’t be available. Playoff games follow a staggered schedule, airing one at a time with national coverage, so RedZone’s multi-game format becomes irrelevant during postseason play.
While it doesn’t apply to playoff coverage, adding NFL RedZone to your DIRECTV service enhances the regular season experience. DIRECTV offers RedZone as part of the Sports Pack or as an add-on to the NFL Sunday Ticket Max package during the regular season.
Subscribers can activate RedZone via the DIRECTV website, through the app, or by calling customer support. Charges for the add-on are applied monthly during the NFL season. Activation typically begins in early September and ends after Week 18 of the regular season.
RedZone transforms game day into an efficient, high-impact viewing session, especially for fans tracking fantasy football or simply looking to stay on top of all the action without flipping through multiple channels. Key use cases include:
For regular season Sundays, RedZone delivers immersive, high-momentum coverage. For the playoffs, DIRECTV subscribers will shift to CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN for national broadcasts, as RedZone sits out until next September.
Blackout rules affect TV availability when a game doesn't meet specific broadcast criteria. While the NFL lifted the local home-game blackout policy back in 2015, affiliate networks and local stations still enforce market-based restrictions. This happens when a game is shown on a local channel but isn't carried by a particular satellite or streaming provider in that region due to broadcasting rights.
For playoff games, this usually involves CBS, FOX, or NBC holding exclusive national rights for specific matchups. Despite that, your local affiliate must still have carriage agreements in place with DIRECTV or any provider to legally broadcast the game.
Encountering a blackout on your DIRECTV lineup doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll miss the game. Several alternatives exist to regain access through authorized channels. Here’s how to get around market-based restrictions without violating any terms of service:
Live TV streaming platforms offer broader flexibility in terms of market access. FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV frequently provide workarounds to blackouts because their agreements with broadcasters often differ from satellite providers. While DIRECTV Stream is the most seamless transition for satellite subscribers, other services can also unlock access legally — often without blackout limitations thanks to national content licenses.
Curious if a particular app includes your game? Check the official playoff broadcast schedule, then verify the availability of those national channels in your streaming package.
DIRECTV and DIRECTV Stream give subscribers multiple consistent paths to watch the complete 2025–2026 NFL playoffs without missing a single snap. With coverage spanning CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN, every playoff game is within reach—whether you’re watching on satellite or streaming on-the-go.
Start by confirming that your DIRECTV service tier includes access to all nationally televised networks. Not every market broadcasts the same matchup, so double check your local listings to align with the official NFL game schedule. Wild Card through Conference Championship weekends often feature regionalized airings across these channels.
Want comprehensive coverage without flipping inputs? Combine DIRECTV or DIRECTV Stream with digital platforms like Peacock (for NBC broadcasts) and the CBS Sports app. These off-channel options will fill any gaps and give you control over how you watch—from the 70" TV in your living room to mobile streaming on your commute.
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