what channel is patriots game on

The New England Patriots’ playoff game today (vs. the Houston Texans on Sunday, January 18, 2026) is on ESPN and ABC , with local coverage in the Boston area on WCVB Channel 5.

Main TV channels

• Nationally, the game is being shown on ESPN as part of the NFL divisional round coverage.

• It is also simulcast on ABC across most markets.

• In the Boston / New England local market , the broadcast is carried on WCVB-TV Channel 5 , in addition to ESPN.

Exact channel numbers depend on your cable, satellite, or streaming provider, so you may need to check your on‑screen guide or provider app.

Streaming options

If you are not watching on traditional cable/satellite, the same Patriots game feed is available on several streaming services:

• ESPN app / ESPN+ (depending on your subscription and region)
• NFL+ for in‑market and primetime/postseason games on mobile and some connected devices
• Live TV streaming bundles that carry ESPN and ABC (for example, services comparable to Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, or DirecTV-type bundles in your area)

If you’re in New England

For viewers in Massachusetts and nearby regions:

• Tune to ESPN on your cable/satellite/streaming lineup for the national telecast.
• Or use your local over‑the‑air antenna or provider’s local channel for WCVB Channel 5 to watch on broadcast TV.

If the question is “what channel is the Patriots game on?” today, the short practical answer is:
ESPN or ABC nationally, and WCVB Channel 5 in the Boston market.

TL;DR: The Patriots game is on ESPN and ABC everywhere, plus WCVB Channel 5 around Boston; check your provider’s guide for the exact channel number.

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