You’re sitting on the couch, jersey on, chips ready, and you flip to the usual channel. Nothing. Just a local news broadcast or some random sitcom. If you’ve ever felt that spike of panic while frantically scrolling through a guide as kickoff looms, you aren't alone. Figuring out what channel are the kc chiefs on has become surprisingly complicated lately. It’s not just a "flip to CBS" world anymore.
Honestly, the days of a simple Sunday routine are gone. Between the NFL’s massive streaming deals and "flexible scheduling," the Chiefs are basically the league's favorite team to move around. They’re a ratings magnet. That means they get yanked from afternoon slots and dropped into primetime or exclusive streaming platforms more than almost any other team.
💡 You might also like: When are the nfl games on this weekend: The Divisional Round drama explained
The 2025-2026 Reality: Why the TV Guide is Lying to You
This season was a perfect example of the chaos. If you were looking for the Chiefs this past year, you had to jump between five different networks and at least three streaming apps. One week you’re on CBS, the next you’re watching a historic Friday night game in Brazil on YouTube. Yeah, YouTube.
The Chiefs' regular season wrapped up with a disappointing 6-11 record, a far cry from the dynasty years. Their final game against the Raiders on January 4, 2026, aired on CBS. But because they missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, if you're looking for them today, Sunday, January 18, 2026—during the Divisional Round—you won't find them. They're out. The "Chiefs-sized void," as some analysts are calling it, is being filled by the Bills, Broncos, and Jaguars this time around.
Where the Games Usually Live
When the 2026 season kicks off in September, you'll need a mental map of the broadcast landscape. It basically breaks down like this:
- CBS: Still the primary "home" for the Chiefs because they're in the AFC. Most Sunday afternoon games (noon or 3:25 PM CT) will be here.
- NBC: Reserved for Sunday Night Football. If Mahomes is playing a high-stakes game against a team like the Ravens or Lions, expect to see it on NBC or Peacock.
- FOX: Occasionally, the Chiefs will play an NFC opponent (like the Eagles or 49ers) at home, and the game will migrate to FOX.
- ESPN/ABC: Monday Night Football territory. These are often "simulcast," meaning you can find them on both channels, but not always.
- Amazon Prime Video: Thursday Night Football is strictly for streamers. If the Chiefs play on a Thursday, you aren't finding it on cable unless you're in the local Kansas City market.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Local" Games
There is a huge misconception that if you live in Kansas City, you don't need streaming apps. That's kinda true, but also kinda not.
The NFL has a "local broadcast rule." This means if a game is exclusive to a streaming service—like Amazon Prime or even that Netflix Christmas game we saw recently—the local TV stations in the Kansas City and opposing team markets are required to air it on over-the-air television. Usually, this ends up being KSHB 41 (NBC) or KCTV 5 (CBS) in the KC area.
But! If you live in Wichita, Omaha, or even just outside the immediate KC metro area, you aren't "local" enough. You'll still need the app. It's a frustrating gray area that catches fans off guard every single year.
Streaming vs. Cable: The Best Way to Watch
If you’re a cord-cutter, the question of what channel are the kc chiefs on becomes a question of "which subscription do I need this month?"
- YouTube TV: This is arguably the easiest "one-stop" shop. It carries CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. Plus, it’s the only way to get NFL Sunday Ticket if you live outside of the Kansas City region and want to see every single snap.
- Paramount+: Since CBS carries the bulk of AFC games, this is a cheaper way to get your local CBS feed without a full cable package.
- Peacock: You'll need this for any exclusive NBC streaming games, which the NFL is doing more frequently now.
- NFL+: This is great for mobile users. You can watch local and primetime games on your phone or tablet, but you can't officially "cast" it to your TV for live regular-season games.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since the Chiefs' 2025 campaign ended early, the focus has already shifted to the 2026 schedule. We won't know the exact dates or channels until the NFL does its big schedule release in May. However, we already know the opponents.
The Chiefs are set to host the 49ers, Colts, Patriots, Cardinals, and Jets at GEHA Field at Arrowhead, alongside their usual AFC West rivals (Broncos, Raiders, Chargers). Because of the Mahomes effect, expect at least five of these to be primetime games. That means you'll be bouncing between NBC, ESPN, and Amazon again.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the Map: Every Wednesday during the season, check 506 Sports. they post color-coded maps showing which parts of the country get which games on CBS and FOX.
- Audit Your Apps: Before September hits, see if your Paramount+ or Peacock subscriptions are active. There's nothing worse than trying to reset a password two minutes before kickoff.
- Get an Antenna: If you live in the KC area, a high-quality digital antenna is a lifesaver. It’s a one-time $40 investment that gives you the local broadcast of every game for free, even the ones "exclusive" to Amazon or ESPN.
- Set Alerts: Use the official Chiefs app to set "Game Start" notifications. They usually include the broadcast channel in the alert so you don't have to go searching.
The broadcast landscape is only going to get more fragmented as we head toward the next decade. Keeping a list of these providers is basically a requirement for being a modern fan. Stay tuned for the May schedule release, as that will be the moment we officially find out which games are stuck behind which paywalls for the next year.