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how to watch bengals preseason

You can watch Cincinnati Bengals preseason games a few different ways, depending on where you live and what you’re willing to pay.

Quick Scoop: How to watch Bengals preseason

1. The basic options (most common)

  • Local TV affiliates (Cincy/region)
    • Preseason games are usually carried on local stations in the Cincinnati market (e.g., FOX19 or other local partners), and sometimes simulcast in nearby cities like Dayton or Lexington.
* If you’re in-market, just tune in over-the-air or via cable/satellite.
  • NFL+ (official streaming)
    • NFL+ offers live out-of-market preseason games and live local/primetime regular-season games on phones and tablets only.
* Fans on Reddit have confirmed specific Bengals preseason games showing up there even when they were hard to find on listings at first.
  • National broadcasts (ESPN, NFL Network, etc.)
    • Some preseason matchups get a national slot on ESPN, NFL Network, or other big channels; for example, a Bengals–Commanders preseason game was on ESPN, and another vs. the Packers ran on NFL Network.
* If the game is nationally televised, any standard cable/streaming TV package with that channel should work.

2. Step‑by‑step: finding your specific game

Use this each week of preseason:

  1. Check Bengals.com “Watch” page first
    • The Bengals site has a coverage/watch page that lists where to stream (NFL+, Paramount+, FOX Sports, NBC Sports, ESPN, etc.) and general viewing options.
 * On game week, Bengals.com usually posts a “How to watch vs. [Opponent]” article with exact TV channel list, streaming links, and radio options.
  1. Look up that week’s “how to watch” article
    • Search the matchup (e.g., “Bengals vs Eagles preseason how to watch”) and you’ll see breakdowns with:
      • Local TV channels in both markets
      • Streaming info (NFL+, team apps, ESPN+, etc.)
      • Kickoff time and blackout notes.
  1. Confirm if it’s national or local only
    • If articles mention ESPN/NFL Network, it’s nationally available.
 * If they say “not nationally televised, available on local stations in Philadelphia and Cincinnati,” then you’ll need to be in those markets or use a service that carries those local channels.
  1. If you’re out of market
    • Use NFL+ for live preseason games (phone/tablet) if it lists the Bengals game.
 * Otherwise, use a live TV streaming service (YouTube TV, Hulu Live, etc.) that carries the relevant local affiliate (FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC) if they’re in your virtual location; Bengals fans often check if stations like LEX18, FOX19, or others are carrying it.

3. Team apps, radio, and alternative angles

  • Team apps / websites
    • For some preseason matchups, the opponent’s media side (like the Eagles) publishes a full list of TV affiliates plus streaming via their mobile app and website, often with radio included.
* Bengals.com also points to audio options like local radio and sometimes streams via their app.
  • Radio if you can’t stream video
    • Local radio calls (e.g., BIG 100 for Commanders, Cincinnati stations like WCKY/WEBN/WLW for Bengals) often carry the full game audio.
* These feeds are sometimes accessible in team apps or via station sites.
  • Unofficial streaming chatter (be cautious)
    • Forum posts and Reddit threads frequently mention unofficial streaming sites when people can’t find the preseason broadcast, but these sites are often sketchy, unreliable, and may violate terms of service.
* Safer route: official options (NFL+, local TV, legit live TV services).

4. Mini forum‑style snapshot (what fans actually do)

“It is on FOX19. If you go to bengals.com they give you a rundown of how to watch, listen, etc.”

“Update: It turns out it IS available on NFL+, but it just wasn’t listed on any sites. I can confirm that it will indeed be streamed live on NFL+!”

“The game will be broadcast… on ESPN.” (for a preseason Bengals–Commanders game)

Fans typically:

  • Check Bengals.com’s guide for the week.
  • Use NFL+ for out-of-market, especially on mobile.
  • Fall back to ESPN/NFL Network if it’s a highlighted national preseason game.

5. Quick checklist for each preseason game

  • Is there a “how to watch” article for that matchup?
  • Does it say local only (FOX/NBC/CBS/ABC in Cincy + opponent city) or national (ESPN/NFL Network)?
  • Are you in-market? If yes, local TV; if no, try NFL+ or a live TV streaming service with the right local station.
  • Want audio only? Use team radio or apps.

TL;DR: For any given Bengals preseason game, check Bengals.com’s game preview/how‑to‑watch page, then use either local TV in the Cincinnati area, NFL+ for live preseason streaming, or any service that carries ESPN/NFL Network when those channels pick up a Bengals preseason matchup.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.