Whether you can watch the Super Bowl on Apple TV depends on which network is broadcasting it that year

Apple TV does not have its own sports channel or exclusive Super Bowl rights. Whether you can watch the game depends on which broadcaster has the rights that year — NBC, CBS, Fox, or ESPN — and whether you have access to that channel through Apple TV Channels, a cable subscription, or a free streaming app.

For 2024 and 2025, CBS has the Super Bowl. You can watch it through the CBS app on Apple TV if you have a cable login, through Paramount+ (which requires a paid subscription), or through the free CBS app if you are in a market where CBS offers free streaming. The method that works for you depends on what subscriptions and logins you already have.

Key Takeaways

  • The Super Bowl broadcast rights rotate between CBS, NBC, Fox, and ESPN, so the channel changes year to year.
  • You can watch through the network's app on Apple TV if you have a cable login or a paid streaming subscription to that network.
  • Some years the free CBS or NBC app offers free streaming in certain markets, but this varies by location and year.
  • Apple TV Channels can add premium subscriptions like Paramount+ or Peacock, which may carry the game depending on the year.
  • Check the network's website or the Apple TV app itself a few days before the game to confirm which streaming method is available.

How the Super Bowl broadcast rights work

The NFL sells Super Bowl broadcast rights to different networks on a rotating schedule. CBS, NBC, Fox, and ESPN each hold the rights for certain years. This means the Super Bowl does not appear on the same channel every year, and your path to watching it changes depending on which network has it.

CBS holds the rights through 2026. NBC will have it in 2027. Fox will have it in 2028. ESPN will have it in 2029. If you want to watch on Apple TV, you need to know which network is broadcasting and then find that network's app or service on your device.

Watching through the CBS app or Paramount+

Since CBS has the Super Bowl through 2026, the CBS app is your primary option on Apple TV. You have two ways to use it: sign in with a cable provider login, or subscribe to Paramount+ (the paid streaming service owned by CBS's parent company).

If you have cable or satellite TV through a provider like Comcast, Verizon, or Charter, open the CBS app on Apple TV, select "Sign In," and enter your cable credentials. The app will then let you stream the game live. If you do not have cable, you can subscribe to Paramount+ directly through Apple TV Channels or through the Paramount+ app itself. A standard Paramount+ subscription costs money each month, though the price and whether it includes ads varies.

Some cable providers also offer the CBS app for free to their subscribers even if you do not have a TV package — check your provider's website to see if you may have access to.

Free streaming options in your market

CBS sometimes offers free streaming of the Super Bowl through its website and app in certain markets, but this is not may provide every year and depends on your location. The best way to find out is to visit CBS.com a few days before the game and look for a "Watch Live" or "Super Bowl" section. If free streaming is available in your area, you will see it there.

Free streaming through the CBS app on Apple TV is less common than free streaming through a web browser, so if the website says free streaming is available, try that first. You may need to enter your zip code to confirm you are in an may be able to access market.

Using Apple TV Channels to add Paramount+

If you prefer to manage all your subscriptions in one place, you can add Paramount+ as an Apple TV Channel directly from the Apple TV app. Open the app, go to the Search tab, find Paramount+, and select "Get." You will be prompted to set up a subscription, and the charge will appear on your Apple ID bill each month.

This method works the same as subscribing to Paramount+ directly — you get the same service and the same price — but it keeps everything in the Apple TV app. You can cancel anytime through your Apple ID settings.

What to do if the Super Bowl is on a different network

In years when NBC, Fox, or ESPN has the Super Bowl, the same logic applies: find that network's app on Apple TV and either sign in with cable credentials or subscribe to that network's streaming service.

NBC's streaming service is Peacock. Fox does not have its own standalone streaming service, but you can watch through the Fox app with a cable login or through Hulu + Live TV (a paid service that includes live TV). ESPN is part of the Disney Bundle, which also includes Disney+ and Hulu. Check which network has the rights before the season starts so you are not surprised on game day.

Checking Apple TV a few days before the game

The easiest way to confirm your options is to open the Apple TV app a few days before the Super Bowl and search for "Super Bowl." The app will show you which services carry it and let you sign in or subscribe directly from there. This saves you from guessing which app to open or which credentials to use.

You can also check the NFL's official website or the network's website for confirmation of which streaming methods are available that year. Broadcast details sometimes change close to game day, so checking a few days ahead is safer than waiting until Sunday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a cable subscription to watch the Super Bowl on Apple TV?

Not always. If you have cable, you can sign in with your provider credentials. If you do not have cable, you can subscribe to Paramount+ (for CBS games), Peacock (for NBC games), or Hulu + Live TV (for Fox games). Some years CBS offers free streaming in certain markets, but this varies.

Can I watch the Super Bowl through the Apple TV+ subscription?

No. Apple TV+ is Apple's own streaming service and does not include sports or the Super Bowl. You need the network-specific app or subscription that holds the broadcast rights that year.

What if I do not have a cable login and do not want to pay for Paramount+?

Check CBS.com a few days before the game to see if free streaming is available in your market. If not, Paramount+ is the main paid option for CBS games. For other networks and years, check that network's website for free or low-cost options.

Can I watch the Super Bowl on Apple TV if I have it on my phone?

Yes, if you can stream it on your phone through the CBS app or Paramount+, you can use AirPlay to send it to an Apple TV device. Open the app on your phone, start the stream, tap the AirPlay icon, and select your Apple TV.

Will the Super Bowl stream in 4K on Apple TV?

It depends on the network and the app. CBS and NBC have offered 4K streams in past years, but availability varies. Check the app or the network's website closer to game day to see if 4K is available and what device or subscription tier you need.