You’ve probably been scrolling through your TV guide, or maybe you've just been shouting at your remote, wondering why you can't find the game. Honestly, the way playoff broadcasting rights are carved up these days is a total headache. If you're looking for football games on ABC today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, here’s the cold, hard truth: ABC is actually dark today.
Nothing. Zilch.
While today marks the start of the high-stakes NFL Divisional Round, ABC is sitting this one out. Instead, the Saturday double-header belongs to CBS and FOX. If you’re a die-hard ABC viewer or someone who relies on an antenna for those crisp over-the-air signals, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the network back in the rotation.
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The Saturday Playoff Slate You’re Actually Looking For
Since ABC isn't carrying any live action today, you need to pivot. The NFL has split the Divisional Round across four different networks this weekend. Today’s schedule is all about the AFC top seed and an NFC West grudge match.
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET. You’ll find it on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: The nightcap starts at 8:00 p.m. ET. This one is on FOX.
It’s kinda wild that we’re seeing Sam Darnold lead a Seahawks team into a Divisional home game, but that’s the 2026 reality. Seattle earned that first-round bye and home-field advantage, and they’re looking to defend Lumen Field against a 49ers squad that just scraped past the Eagles.
Why ABC Is Taking the Day Off
It’s basically a licensing thing. For years, ABC and ESPN (both under the Disney umbrella) have shared a specific slice of the playoff pie. Usually, they get one Wild Card game and one Divisional game. This year, their Divisional game is scheduled for Sunday.
If you were hoping for college football, you’re also out of luck today. We are in that weird "dead zone" right before the National Championship. The Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes are currently down in Florida, getting ready for their Monday night showdown at Hard Rock Stadium. ABC will be doing a lot of the heavy lifting for that coverage on Monday, but for this Saturday? The network is sticking to its regular programming like Wheel of Fortune or local news.
When to Tune Back Into ABC for Football
You don't have to wait forever. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, is the big day for Disney’s sports department.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
This is the one. The Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots game kicks off tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.
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Watching C.J. Stroud go into Foxborough against a resurgent Patriots defense is going to be the highlight of the weekend for many. It’s a classic matchup of the young, explosive quarterback against the disciplined, "do your job" system that the Patriots have revived. This game will be simulcast, meaning you can watch the traditional broadcast on ABC or catch the more "ESPN-style" production on the cable side.
How to Stream Tomorrow’s ABC Game
If you don’t have a cable box or a digital antenna, you've got options. Since ABC is a broadcast network, it's generally easier to find than some of the exclusive streaming-only games we saw earlier in the season.
- Hulu + Live TV: Since Disney owns both, it’s a seamless experience.
- FuboTV: Always a safe bet for sports junkies.
- YouTube TV: Great for recording the game if you’re stuck at a family dinner.
- ESPN+: They usually stream the ABC/ESPN simulcast games here as well.
Actionable Tips for This Weekend
Don't let the lack of ABC games today ruin your Saturday. If you’re planning your viewing party, make sure you have the CBS and FOX apps updated on your smart TV.
Check your local listings for "Path to the College Football Playoff" specials. ABC is actually airing a preview show featuring Miami and Indiana at 2:30 p.m. ET today. It isn't a live game, but if you're craving some football-related content on that specific channel, that's your best bet.
Set your DVR for the Texans-Patriots game now so you don't forget when the Sunday festivities start. Tomorrow is the only day you'll need ABC for football this week, so make it count.