You’re sitting there, wings ready, blue and red jersey on, and suddenly you realize you have no idea if the local station is actually showing the game or if it’s blacked out. It happens every August. Watching the Buffalo Bills during the preseason isn't quite as straightforward as the regular season where you just flip to CBS and call it a day. Since preseason TV rights are a weird patchwork of local affiliates, national broadcasts, and streaming-only deals, you sort of have to hunt for the right feed depending on where you're sitting.
The struggle is real.
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If you're in Western New York, you've usually got it easy with the local Buffalo ABC affiliate, WKBW-TV, handling the heavy lifting. But what if you're a member of the Bills Mafia living in Austin, or Seattle, or somewhere that definitely doesn't consider "Beef on Weck" a food group? That’s where things get tricky. You need a plan so you aren't stuck staring at a "This program is unavailable in your area" screen while Josh Allen is out there taking three snaps before hitting the bench.
The Local Buffalo Strategy
For those of you living within the actual broadcast range of Orchard Park, the answer to how to watch Bills preseason game matchups is almost always the "rabbit ears" approach. High-definition antennas are cheap. They work. Honestly, it’s the most reliable way to get the local feed without worrying about a streaming delay that makes your neighbor cheer thirty seconds before you see the touchdown.
WKBW (Channel 7) is the long-standing home for these exhibition games. They usually bring in a specific broadcast team just for the preseason—think Andrew Catalon or Steve Tasker—giving it a more "hometown" feel than the national Jim Nantz broadcasts you get in October. If you aren't in Buffalo but you're in the "extended" home market—places like Rochester, Syracuse, or even Erie, PA—check your local listings for ABC or CBS affiliates. They often pick up the Bills feed because, well, the fan base is massive.
But let's be real: most of us have cut the cord. If you're using a digital antenna, make sure you do a channel scan the morning of the game. Frequencies shift, and the last thing you want is a "No Signal" message at kickoff.
Streaming for the Out-of-Market Fan
If you aren't in the 716 or 585 area codes, you're basically at the mercy of the NFL’s digital ecosystem. This is where NFL+ comes into play. It’s the league's own subscription service, and it's basically designed for the preseason.
Here is the catch: NFL+ lets you watch out-of-market preseason games live on your phone, tablet, or even your smart TV. However, if the Bills happen to be playing a nationally televised game—say, a Thursday night spot on Amazon Prime or a Monday night game on ESPN—the local blackout rules might still apply if you're trying to use the app in a specific way. It’s a bit of a maze.
- NFL+ (The Standard Version): This usually gets you the live out-of-market preseason games. It’s great for seeing the rookies in the fourth quarter.
- NFL+ Premium: This is for the true nerds who want the "All-22" coaches film or full game replays right after the whistle blows.
- FuboTV: This is a heavy hitter because it carries local channels and NFL Network. If the Bills game is being re-aired on NFL Network (which they do constantly), Fubo is your best bet.
- Hulu + Live TV / YouTube TV: These work just like cable. If you’re in the Buffalo market, you get the game. If you aren't, you only get it if it’s a national broadcast.
One thing people always forget? The NFL Network often airs preseason games on a delay. If you can stay off social media for three hours, you can usually catch the full game later that night or the next morning without paying for an extra tier of service.
Why Preseason TV Rights are So Messy
You ever wonder why you can't just buy one "Bills Pass" and be done with it? It's because the NFL sells the preseason differently than the regular season.
During the regular season, the NFL controls everything. They sell the whole package to CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. But in the preseason, the individual teams—the Bills themselves—actually own the rights to their games. They then turn around and sell those rights to local stations like WKBW. This is why the commercials are different, the graphics look a little "local news" style, and the announcers are clearly biased toward Buffalo. It’s basically a Bills-produced show that happens to be an NFL game.
This is also why your friend in New Jersey can't find the game on their local ABC station. Their local station didn't buy the rights from the Bills; they probably bought the Giants or Jets rights instead.
The VPN "Gray Area" and International Fans
For fans outside the United States, NFL Game Pass International (usually through DAZN these days) is the gold standard. It’s honestly better than what we have in the States. You get every game, live, no blackouts.
Some tech-savvy fans in the US use a VPN to make it look like they are in London or Toronto to access this version of the service. While it works, it’s technically against the terms of service of most providers. If you go this route, you’re basically on your own if the stream cuts out because your "location" hopped from Buffalo to Berlin in the middle of a drive. It’s a lot of effort just to see the backup quarterback run a draw play on 3rd and 15.
What to Look for While You’re Watching
Once you've actually figured out how to watch Bills preseason game streams, don't just stare at the score. Preseason isn't about winning; it's about not getting the starters hurt and finding out which undrafted free agent is going to become a special teams demon.
- The Offensive Line Depth: Watch the second unit. If Josh Allen’s backup is getting hit every two seconds, that’s a bad sign for the season’s longevity.
- Rookie Snap Counts: The Bills coaching staff, led by Sean McDermott, is notorious for making rookies earn their keep. If a first-round pick is playing deep into the third quarter, they’re still "learning the system."
- Special Teams Speed: This is where roster spots are won. Watch the gunners on punt coverage. That’s who will be on the final 53-man roster.
Honestly, the fourth quarter of the second preseason game is usually pretty rough football. But for a Bills fan, seeing that charging buffalo on the helmet after a long winter is enough.
Practical Checklist for Game Day
Don't wait until five minutes before kickoff to test your setup.
First, check the official Buffalo Bills website or their Twitter (X) account. They always post a "How to Watch" graphic 24 hours before the game. This will tell you specifically which local stations are carrying it.
Second, if you're using a streaming service like YouTube TV, make sure your "Area" is set correctly in the settings. Sometimes if you traveled recently, it thinks you're still in a different city, and you'll get the wrong local channels.
Third, have a backup plan. If your stream dies, the Bills Radio Network is elite. Chris Brown and Eric Wood call a great game, and you can usually stream the audio through the Bills app or WGR 550’s website if you’re within the geographic boundary.
Final Steps for the Best Experience
To make sure you don't miss a single snap of the upcoming preseason, take these three actions right now:
- Download the Buffalo Bills Official App: It’s free, and if you’re in the local market, they sometimes offer a free live stream of the preseason games directly in the app (though this varies year to year based on mobile rights).
- Check the NFL Network Schedule: They often "simulcast" games live if there isn't a conflicting national game. Mark your DVR if you can't watch it live.
- Verify your Local Affiliate: If you're in upstate New York, go to the WKBW website and confirm they are the designated carrier for that specific week.
Stop stressing about the technicalities and get the charcoal started. Whether you're watching a crystal-clear 4K stream or a slightly grainy antenna feed, preseason is the first step toward a potential Super Bowl run. Just make sure the remote has fresh batteries.