How to Watch the 2024 AFC Championship

My rundown covers all five ways you can stream the 2024 AFC Championship on CBS. You can also use my favorite method — a TV antenna — to watch the Chiefs face off against the Ravens.

2024 AFC Championship
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The 2024 AFC Championship game is set for Sunday, at 3 p.m. ET on CBS, and will showcase the formidable prowess of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, two teams that have consistently proven their mettle throughout the season.

If you don’t subscribe to a cable TV provider, there are a variety of ways to watch every pass and play on your Smart TV or screen of choice. 

The two cheapest ways for cord-cutters to get CBS live is through Paramount+ or a TV antenna. But there are a number of other live TV streaming services such as DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo, which offer a free trial. 

The Kansas City Chiefs have demonstrated a remarkable transformation this season, especially on the defensive front. 

The synergy between their pass rush, led by the likes of Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, and their secondary, with standouts like L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie, has been a cornerstone of their success. However, the team’s Achilles’ heel has been the inconsistency of their wide receivers, an aspect that could play a pivotal role in high-stakes games.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens have been synonymous with defensive excellence, and this season is no exception. Leading the NFL in points allowed per game, turnovers, and sacks, their pass rush is a force to be reckoned with. 

Players like Justin Madubuike and Jadeveon Clowney have been an intimidating force against any and all quarterbacks. However, their run defense has shown vulnerabilities.

CBS is not only airing the AFC Championship game this year, but it will also broadcast Super Bowl LVIII.

How to Watch the AFC Championship without cable

Most of the NFL Playoffs this year have been available to watch for free on local broadcast channels if you can get decent reception with a TV antenna. However, live streaming services have been a more popular way to get local channels such as CBS and NBC along with cable TV networks like ESPN.

The AFC Championship game is on CBS. But if you are planning on watching some or all of the NFC Championship game, you will need a service that also carries local FOX stations.

These live TV streaming services work on Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox One and PlayStation consoles.

Smart TVs made by Sony, Samsung, and LG, Roku TVs and Amazon Fire TV Edition televisions also support streaming apps.

Paramount Plus

  • Popular new movies and TV shows
  • CBS live stream (Premium Plus)
  • Live sports
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Essential$5.99/mo.On-demand
With Showtime$11.99/moCBS Live & Showtime
Device support: Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Android TV, Android phone, Android tablet, Chromecast, Fire TV, Portal TV, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PCs, Samsung TV, Vizio TV, LG TV, Roku, Xbox, Xfinity, Xumo, Cox Contour box, VIDAA TV, Google TV.

Paramount+ is the cheapest way to watch the AFC Championship without cable TV or satellite service.

The Essential plan costs $5.99 per month. You will not get a local live CBS station, but you can watch live NFL games, including the AFC Championship game.

There are a number of Paramount+ Originals such as “Special Ops: Lioness,” “Tulsa King” and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.”

The Paramount Plus with Showtime plan cost $11.99 per month. Subscribers get access to a live, local CBS station, and all live sports including the PGA Tour and college basketball that airs on CBS.

Paramount+ carries hit shows such as the Yellowstone-prequel “1923” and blockbusters like “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning.” There are popular programs from Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, MTV and Smithsonian Channel.

Subscribers can stream up two shows at once on different screens.

Fubo

  • Free trial
  • 1,000 hours Cloud DVR
  • 10 simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Pro$79.99/month189
Elite $89.99/month255
Premier$99.99/month264 & Showtime
Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox One, along with Smart TVs by Hisense, Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast TV. Android, iPhones and iPads with current iOS.

Fubo (formerly fuboTV) has about 189 live TV channels, including CBS, FOX, ESPN, and entertainment channels such as HGTV.

A subscription costs $79.99 per month. Subscribers get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR. The Pro plan includes a variety of sports networks, including FS1Big Ten Network and ACC Network are included in the Pro channel bundle.

The Elite plan is $89.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Ultimate plan has 231 channels, including Showtime and NFL RedZone, for $99.99 per month

fubo has a library of on-demand content, including movies and TV shows. Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and Smart TVs all carry the fubo app.

Subscribers can watch live TV on 10 screens at once, so not everyone has to watch the game.

You can look over the channel lineup in your area before deciding whether to sign up.

A fuboTV subscription allows you to activate more than 40 apps for channels that are included in your channel package.

You can watch fuboTV on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Smart TVs, Google Chromecast with Google TV and web browsers.

fuboTV lets you try its service free for 7 days. Just be sure to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to be billed.

Hulu + Live TV

  • Sign up & get Disney+ and ESPN+ included
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR (9 mos.)
  • Two simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Hulu + Live TV$76.99/month90+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV.

Hulu Live TV is the best option for someone who wants to bundle their streaming services.

Subscribers get more than 90 live TV channels, unlimited Cloud DVR space and access to Disney+ and ESPN+. 

You will get local CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX stations with the TV plan. A subscription includes regional sports channels such as NBC Sports.

The channel lineup also includes ESPN, ESPN2, FOX News, History Channel, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, FOX Business, SyFy, Telemundo and USA Network.

A subscription costs $76.99 per month. Subscribers can stream live TV on up to two screens at once.

You can look over Hulu’s channel lineup in your area before deciding whether to sign up. Hulu works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, Apple TV and Smart TVs.

DIRECTV STREAM

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Entertainment$79.99/month75+
Choice$108.99/month105+
Ultimate$119.99/month140+
Premier$164.99/month150+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) carries local channels such as CBS, FOX and NBC along with entertainment channels and sports networks.

The Entertainment plan has more than 75 TV channels for $79.99 per month.

DIRECTV STREAM has ESPN, ESPN2, HGTV, FS1 and TNT. There are other local channels, including NBC, ABC and FOX. Discovery, Lifetime, MSNBC and Paramount Network are among the entertainment channels. 

You can sign up for a 5-day free trial. Subscribers can watch live TV on an unlimited number of screens within your home. You get unlimited Cloud DVR for recording sports and TV shows. There are more than 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.

DIRECTV STREAM works on Smart TVs, Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV and smartphones and tablets. Subscriptions run month to month and so you can cancel whenever you want.

You can look over the different channel lineups before deciding whether to sign up.

YouTube TV

  • Free trial
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Three simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
YouTube TV$72.99/month128
Device support: Android TV, Google TV, Smart TVs by Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Hisense, Sharp and Sony; Chromecast, Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation and Google Nest Hub; Android and iOS devices.

YouTube TV carries 128 live TV channels, including local CBS stations across the U.S.

A subscription costs $72.99 per month, YouTube TV subscribers unlimited Cloud DVR and up to six profiles for family members or people in your household.

You can watch live TV on up to three screens at once.

YouTube TV supports Amazon Fire TV, Roku Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Smart TVs, and viewing on a PC. Subscriptions run month to month, and there are no contracts or other obligations.

You can try out YouTube TV with a free 7-day trial.

How to Watch the AFC Championship for free

Let’s quickly cover how to watch CBS for free using a TV antenna

With a TV antenna, football fans can get local broadcast channels such as NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX and PBS for free.

People living within 30 to 40 miles of local broadcast towers have an excellent chance at getting local broadcast channels with a quality TV antenna. You can use the free tool at AntennasDirect to see whether CBS is available in your area. Local channels broadcast digital signals in 1080i or 720p, which is High Definition.

How to Watch AFC Championship FAQ

These are questions NFL fans ask when researching ways to watch the AFC Championship game without a TV provider.

Can I watch the AFC Championship game on the CBS Sports app?

You can watch the 2024 AFC Championship game live on the CBS Sports app by activating the app with a pay TV subscription. You can use fuboTV, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV to activate the CBS Sports app.

Can I watch the AFC Championship on Amazon Prime?

No. The 2024 AFC Championship game is airing on the broadcast channel CBS. Amazon Prime only had streaming rights to Thursday Night Football.

Is the AFC Championship game on Peacock?

No. The 2024 AFC Championship game is on CBS. You can watch the AFC Championship game on Paramount+, which is Paramount’s competitor to NBCUniversal’s Peacock.

Methodology

I spend hundreds of hours throughout the year conducting hands-on testing of streaming services, including Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV. I do the same rigorous testing for TV antennas and TV-related hardware. Check out the review policy to see how I compare products and services.The Cord Cutting Report is a reader-supported publication, and may earn affiliate commissions when you pick a streaming service through a recommendation. Read our affiliate policy for more information.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.