TV, APPS, Socials: What’s the Perfect Way to Watch the Super Bowl in the UK?
Madison Genthry 
The upcoming Super Bowl, which will take place on Sunday, 8 February, will be beamed to a global audience, with viewing figures expected to be in the region of 200 million to 250 million. It is a momentous event, sometimes more cultural than sporting, especially when you factor in aspects like the Halftime Show.
In the United States, NBC has the main broadcast rights to the game. It actually works on a kind of rotation system in the US, flipping between the big network broadcasters (FOX, CBS, NBC, etc.), so it’s NBC’s turn this year. There are other options, including Spanish-language broadcasts, but the lion’s share of viewership will go to the network television channel that holds the rights to that season’s Super Bowl.
In the UK, there are a plethora of options, and they aren’t limited to television. But which are the best options? And where exactly can you watch?
Channel 5 – Free to Air Broadcasting
It’s commendable to see that Channel 5 has pulled out the stops to show live NFL games in the UK, and that includes full live coverage of Super Bowl LX. The broadcaster struck a deal with CBS Sports and the NFL to provide multi-year coverage. Channel 5 has made a big push to highlight its broadcasting credentials, bringing in presenters like Dermot O’Leary to front the coverage. It’s been well-received, and there is absolutely no reason to shell out for a subscription to watch the Super Bowl if you have a working television set at home.
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Sky – The Home of the NFL
Sky Sports has arguably placed its NFL coverage second only to the Premier League. It’s a huge deal for the network to have the lion’s share of the coverage across the NFL season, and its commitment to comprehensive coverage, including a dedicated channel, is impressive. You might say that its coverage is ‘bigger’ than Channel 5’s, with more expert analysis taking you through the Super Bowl game. Yet, we’d say Sky Sports is better for committed NFL fans, i.e., those who know the ins and outs of American football; Channel 5 is the better option if you are new to it, as its coverage does not assume you are an expert.
Socials – Changing the Way We Consume Sports
Like it or not, a vast amount of American football fans will be simply tuning into platforms like X to engage with the Super Bowl.
The NFL, perhaps more than most sports leagues, sits easy with the rise of socials, dropping content very quickly, knowing that it funnels back into their main product. It allows fans to get less reserved analysis on everything from live Super Bowl betting odds to controversial plays. X, despite its issues, remains the best place to engage.
NFL Game Pass – DAZN’s All Access Application
You can access just about every NFL game, including the Super Bowl, via the NFL Game Pass, which is hosted by DAZN in the UK. It might seem a bit pointless signing up for a subscription as the season nears its end, but you can actually find some decent deals for the app. Its coverage is a little bit more Americanized compared to what is on offer from Channel 5 and Sky.
Talksport – The Right Option for Audio
Not everyone can sit and watch the game, so there are local radio broadcasters who provide comprehensive coverage. The BBC (Radio 5 Live) will be covering the Super Bowl, but the best option for play-by-play coverage is arguably on Talksport. The adverts can be a little bit annoying, though.
