The Cincinnati Bengals won three fewer games in 2025 compared to the previous season. That made watching the Bengals difficult and frustrating after four consecutive years of winning records.
But the Bengals had an aggressive offseason and are trying to return to a high-octane offense. It will be interesting to see if those changes translate to a turnaround for the franchise.
We’ve broken down everything you need to watch the Cincinnati Bengals live in 2026, from local channel listings to the best streaming setups.
What channel are the Cincinnati Bengals on?
Watching the Bengals in 2026 will take access to multiple channels — local, national, and streaming. Fans will need CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC, NFL Network, and Amazon Prime Video.
For the majority of those channels, you’ll need to be in the team’s broadcast market. If you’re not, you can always look into a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket.
2026 Cincinnati Bengals TV schedule
The Bengals season is highlighted by a national preseason game, an early bye week, and the team’s first international game since 2019. During Week 9, Cincinnati plays the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid.
Check out the full Bengals TV schedule in the table below.
NFL - Cincinnati Bengals Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | Thursday, Aug. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Friday, Aug. 28 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 6 | Bye Week | — | — | — |
Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 9:30 a.m. | ||
Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 11 | Monday, Nov. 23 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 12 | Sunday, Nov. 29 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 15 | Sunday, Dec. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 16 | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
Week 17 | Thursday, Dec. 31 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 18 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Which TV providers carry the Cincinnati Bengals?
If you have a TV subscription, you’ll be able to watch nearly every Bengals game, but the number of games you’ll get depends on your location because of the NFL’s TV blackout policies. Below is a breakdown of our favorite services that will allow fans to watch the Bengals throughout 2026.
Best Overall
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) carries all the local and national channels you’ll need to watch the Bengals in 2026, including NFL Network. The live TV service has a user-friendly interface, unlimited DVR, and plenty of other content to enjoy during the offseason.
Exclusive Games
The Week 17 game between the Bengals and Baltimore Ravens will stream on Prime Video ($8.99–$17.98/mo.). The streamer is also home to the NFL’s Thursday Night Football showcase. So even if the Bengals aren’t playing, a Prime Video subscription will get you more football during the week.
Out-of-Market Coverage
With most Bengals games on Sundays, fans who don’t live in the team’s broadcast territory will need a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket to watch games live or on demand. Fans of the sport can also watch most of the league with the service.
The table below outlines all the services that air NFL games, their prices, and other details.
| Provider | Price | CBS | FOX | ESPN | NBC | NFL Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$149.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What channel is the Bengals Preseason TV Network?
Two Bengals preseason games will air on one of the stations that comprise the Bengals Preseason TV Network, which spans portions of Ohio and Kentucky. Below is a list of the network’s channels, along with their affiliates.
| TV market | Channel # | Station | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 19 | WXIX | FOX |
| Columbus | 6 | WSYX | ABC |
| Dayton | 45 | DKEF | FOX |
| Lexington | 18 | WLEX | NBC |
| Louisville | 58 | WDRB | The CW |
How to watch Cincinnati Bengals FAQ
How can I watch the Cincinnati Bengals for free?
The most cost-effective way to watch the Bengals for free is with a digital antenna, which gives you access to channels like CBS, FOX, and NBC. The Amazon Prime Video game can be streamed using the service's 30-day free trial. A free trial to a live TV streaming service gets you the most channels, but those trials typically last a maximum of seven days.
When is the Bengals' bye week?
The Cincinnati Bengals take a break from their game schedule during Week 6.
How can I listen to the Cincinnati Bengals on the radio?
You can listen to the Bengals on Cincinnati's flagship stations 700WLW, ESPN 1530, and 102.7 WEBN. Other stations broadcast the Bengals in neighboring cities and states via the Bengals Radio Network. Sirius XM and NFL+ are other ways fans can listen.
Do the Bengals have any holiday games?
Yes. The Bengals play the Ravens on New Year's Eve this season during primetime. The Week 17 game will stream on Prime Video.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com senior writer, Eric Chiu, thoroughly reviewed this season’s Cincinnati Bengals TV schedule to create this viewing guide. He cross-referenced the broadcast details for each game with network providers to ensure accuracy at time of publication.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
