You’re staring at the TV, remote in hand, and the game isn’t on. It’s a familiar frustration for anyone trying to figure out where to watch Washington Commanders games in a season where the broadcast rights feel like they were shuffled by a deck of cards. Honestly, the old days of just "turning on Channel 5" are basically dead.
Between the move to Netflix for Christmas Day and the exclusive streaming windows on Amazon, keeping up with Jayden Daniels and the squad requires a bit of a roadmap. You've got local blackouts, national "exclusives," and that one random game in Madrid to account for.
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The Local Fan’s Dilemma: FOX, CBS, and the Digital Antenna
If you live in the DMV—D.C., Maryland, or Virginia—your life is a little easier, but only a little. Most Sunday afternoon games still land on FOX (WTTG-5) or CBS (WUSA-9). This is where most people get it wrong: they think they need a massive cable bill just to see the local team.
You don't.
A high-quality over-the-air (OTA) antenna, like a Mohu Leaf, pulls these in for free in crystal-clear 4K-adjacent quality. But here’s the kicker: if the Commanders are playing on CBS, you can stream it on Paramount+. If they’re on FOX, you’re usually stuck using a cable login on the FOX Sports app unless you have a live TV streamer.
- FOX: Carries the bulk of NFC matchups (think New York Giants or Philly).
- CBS: Usually gets the AFC crossovers or the big late-afternoon window.
- WUSA-9: This is your home base for local D.C. coverage and preseason specials.
Streaming is No Longer "Optional"
We have to talk about the Christmas Day situation. In 2025, the Commanders’ massive holiday clash against the Dallas Cowboys isn't on traditional TV. It’s on Netflix. If you don’t have a subscription, you’re essentially locked out unless you’re in the immediate D.C. market where a local station might pick up the simulcast.
Then there’s Amazon Prime Video. They own Thursday Night Football exclusively. When Washington headed to Lambeau to face the Packers earlier this season, Prime was the only way to watch. If you’re a student or have a basic Prime membership, you’re covered. Otherwise, you’re looking at $14.99 a month just for a few hours of football.
What About Out-of-Market Fans?
If you’re a Washington fan living in, say, Denver or Los Angeles, the struggle is real. You are at the mercy of the "coverage map." Unless the Commanders are the "Game of the Week," your local FOX affiliate is probably showing the Cowboys or the 49ers instead.
This is where NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV comes in. It’s the only way to guarantee you see every single Sunday afternoon snap. It’s pricey—often north of $350 a season—but it’s the only legal "kill switch" for regional blackouts.
Expert Tip: If you only care about watching on your phone or tablet, NFL+ is a sneaky good deal. It costs about $7 per month and lets you stream every local and primetime game. The catch? You can’t "cast" it to your TV. It’s mobile-only.
The Madrid Factor and National Windows
Remember that Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins? That was in Madrid. International games often end up on NFL Network or have weird 9:30 AM ET kickoff times. For primetime junkies, Peacock handles Sunday Night Football (NBC), and ESPN/ABC handles Monday Night Football.
The 2025-2026 season saw Washington get five primetime slots, the most in years. That means you need a rotating door of apps:
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- Peacock for the NBC games.
- ESPN+ or the ESPN app for Monday nights.
- Amazon Prime for Thursdays.
- Netflix for the Christmas special.
Radio: The Reliable Backup
When the Wi-Fi dies or you’re stuck in traffic on I-495, BIG 100 (WBIG-FM) is the flagship station for the Commanders Radio Network. They’ve got the local call, which, let’s be honest, is usually more passionate than the national TV announcers anyway. For Spanish speakers, Tico Sports (WREY 94.9 FM) handles the broadcast with incredible energy.
How to Save Money While Watching
Don't just subscribe to everything. Most people overpay because they forget to cancel.
If you want the "all-in" experience without a contract, Fubo or YouTube TV are the best bets. They carry almost all the "linear" channels (FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN). You’ll still need Amazon and Netflix for those specific exclusive weeks, but a Live TV streaming service covers 90% of the season.
Your Actionable Game Plan:
- Check the schedule weekly: The NFL flexes games constantly. A Sunday afternoon game on FOX can jump to Sunday night on NBC with only twelve days' notice.
- Buy a Digital Antenna: It pays for itself in two months compared to a streaming bundle.
- Use Free Trials: If Washington has a one-off game on Peacock or Paramount+, time your free trial for that week. Just remember to set a calendar reminder to cancel it the next morning.
- The "Bar" Strategy: If a game is on a service you don’t own (like the Netflix Christmas game), head to a local sports bar. It's cheaper than a month's subscription and the atmosphere is better.
The landscape is messy, but once you have your "big three" (Antenna, Prime, and a rotating Peacock/Netflix sub), you’re set for every touchdown.