How to Follow the Ravens During the Season: Broadcast, Streaming, and Live Options in Baltimore
Watching the Baltimore Ravens means choosing between broadcast television, cable, streaming services, and stadium attendance. Each option has different costs, availability windows, and viewing quality. This guide covers what's actually available in Baltimore and the practical trade-offs that matter to fans who want reliable access to games.
Broadcast Television
CBS broadcasts most Ravens games during the regular season on Sunday afternoons. In Baltimore, CBS is available over the air on WUSA (Channel 9), which means no subscription is required if you have an antenna. This is the most economical option and reaches the broadest audience in the region. All you need is a television and an antenna capable of receiving UHF signals; the quality is typically excellent on modern televisions.
The catch: CBS holds exclusive rights only to AFC games, so you'll miss any Ravens matchups that fall on other networks. This happens roughly half the time in a typical season.
Fox (WBFF, Channel 45 in Baltimore) carries additional games, primarily on Sunday nights and occasional Thursday matchups. Fox games require the same antenna setup as CBS if you have a digital television. Over-the-air broadcast remains free, though the schedule is less predictable than CBS slots.
Both networks post their full schedule weeks in advance on their websites. Baltimore's broadcast maps (which show what game reaches which region) are posted by the NFL on its official site, updated weekly. The maps matter because local blackout rules can prevent regional broadcasts of certain games. The Ravens are rarely blacked out in Baltimore itself, but understanding the map prevents confusion on Sunday morning.
Cable and Streaming
ESPN and NFL Network broadcast selected Thursday night and Monday night games. These require cable or streaming subscriptions. ESPN+ (a direct subscription service) carries some games exclusively, while others appear on cable's ESPN channel. The distinction is important: an ESPN+ subscription alone ($11.99 per month as of 2024) does not guarantee access to all ESPN-broadcast games. Games shown on the cable ESPN channel require either a cable package or a cable authentication log-in through a provider.
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV offer cable-like packages that include both CBS and Fox, which covers the bulk of Ravens Sunday broadcasts. YouTube TV costs $76.99 per month (as of 2024); Hulu + Live TV runs $76.99; Sling TV's Blue package is $45 per month but does not include CBS. These services let you stream on phone, tablet, or smart television. The trade-off is cost versus convenience: you're paying for live television of many sports and networks, not just Ravens games.
The official NFL+ app ($6.99 per month) streams out-of-market games and replays but does not stream Sunday afternoon games shown on CBS or Fox in your home market. It's useful for catching games if you travel outside Baltimore or want to rewatch previous seasons, but it's not a primary option for live local broadcasts.
Direct Stadium Access
M&T Bank Stadium sits at 1101 Russell Street in downtown Baltimore, near the Inner Harbor. The stadium holds roughly 71,000 people. Season ticket prices range from approximately $600 to $3,500 per seat depending on location and seat quality, with individual game tickets running from $50 to $400 or higher for premium matchups. The team's official website posts available inventory by game; popular opponents (Pittsburgh Steelers, division rivals) sell out faster.
Parking near M&T Bank Stadium costs $25 to $40 depending on lot selection. The stadium is accessible via the Light Rail (Green Line stops directly at Camden Yards; the stadium is a short walk). Light Rail passes cost $2 for a single trip and operate on a frequent schedule on game days.
The Ravens' home schedule typically includes eight games from September through December, with a possible playoff game in January if the team advances. Weather matters in December and January; dress accordingly.
Comparison Framework
Choose CBS or Fox broadcast if you want no cost and don't mind waiting for the weekly schedule to confirm which network carries which game. Choose YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV if you want guaranteed access to every Sunday broadcast and don't object to paying for the broader television package. Choose M&T Bank Stadium if you have the budget and want the full gameday experience, including tailgating, halftime shows, and the physical energy of a crowd. Choose streaming apps only if you travel frequently or specifically need out-of-market access.
Practical Constraints
The Ravens play 17 games in the regular season, split between home and away. This means eight or nine home games in Baltimore each year. Blackout rules apply: if a game doesn't sell out 72 hours before kickoff, it may not air on local broadcast television. Ravens games are rarely blacked out, but it's worth checking the NFL's official blackout map before game day if you're relying solely on broadcast television.
Kickoff times change based on network scheduling. Sunday games can start at 1 p.m. (typically CBS) or 4:25 p.m. (typically Fox), and these times are not confirmed until the league releases the full schedule in spring and again with prime-time flexing in fall. If you plan your Sunday around a Ravens game, verify the start time a few days before, not the morning of.
International viewers have additional options through NFL Game Pass, a global subscription service, but it primarily serves non-U.S. markets; U.S. residents are directed to domestic options.
The simplest approach for most Baltimore residents: use free over-the-air CBS or Fox for Sunday afternoon games, and subscribe to YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV if you want guaranteed coverage of Thursday or Monday night games. This combination covers the full schedule for under $80 per month total, minus months when you pause the streaming service during NFL offseason.
