Lions Thanksgiving Game Broadcast Details
The Detroit Lions typically appear on the annual Thanksgiving Day tripleheader, with their games scheduled primarily in the early afternoon or late afternoon window. The National Football League rotates the schedule each year, and the Lions have been featured in the 12:30 p.m. ET or 4:25 p.m. ET slot depending on the matchup. The primary broadcast partner for the early game is NFL.com, which lists the national television assignments. The game is carried nationally on CBS or Fox, with the specific network determined by the conference of the visiting team, while local coverage is available on the Detroit Lions Television Network, which includes flagship station WJBK-TV Fox 2 Detroit.
For viewers outside the local market, the game is available on the NFL's out-of-market streaming service, NFL+, which provides live local and primetime games on mobile devices and connected TVs. The league also streams the game internationally through NFL Game Pass International, which is managed by NFL Media and distributed by local partners in regions outside the United States. The broadcast team for the national telecast is announced by the network closer to kickoff, with CBS typically using its lead NFL on CBS crew for marquee matchups.
Streaming Options for the Lions Thanksgiving Game
Live streaming options include CBS Sports, which streams the game through its platform for subscribers with TV credentials, and Fox Sports, which provides a similar authenticated streaming experience for Fox-scheduled games. The NFL's official streaming service, NFL+, offers a direct-to-consumer tier that includes live local games, with pricing details available on the official NFL website. Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive streaming rights for one Thanksgiving game, but the Lions are not typically assigned to that slot, so Prime Video is not a primary option for the Lions.
Traditional cable and satellite providers such as DirecTV, Xfinity, and Spectrum carry the CBS and Fox feeds, and their streaming apps allow authenticated access on mobile devices and smart TVs. The NFL also partners with Forbes for promotional coverage of its broadcast distribution, and the league's media rights deals with CBS, Fox, NBC, Amazon, and ESPN define the annual Thanksgiving schedule. Viewers can confirm the Lions' Thanksgiving assignment by checking the official NFL schedule page, which is updated with broadcast details each season.
How to Find the Lions Thanksgiving Schedule and Channel
The NFL releases the full Thanksgiving schedule in the spring, and the exact channel assignment for the Lions game is confirmed weeks before kickoff. The schedule is published on NFL.com and through the league's official social media channels, and it lists the kickoff time, broadcast network, and streaming availability. The Lions' official website and mobile app provide a dedicated Thanksgiving hub with links to the live broadcast, pregame shows, and team coverage.
To ensure access, viewers should verify their cable or streaming subscription includes the assigned network, as blackouts can occur if the game is not carried in a specific market. The Detroit Lions Television Network provides local coverage on WJBK-TV Fox 2 Detroit, and the broadcast is also available on the NFL app with an NFL+ subscription. For international viewers, the NFL Game Pass International service, managed by the league's global media team, streams the game in supported regions, and details are listed on NFL.com under the international broadcast section.