How to Watch the Super Bowl From Your RV

The match-up for Super Bowl LVIII (that’s 58 for us non-Romans) is set, with the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 11. The game kicks off at 6:30 PM Eastern, and is sure to be one of the biggest sporting events of the year. While 70,000 fans will be at Allegiant Stadium to witness the showdown firsthand, most of us will have to settle for watching it remotely. And if you just so happen to be in your RV that weekend, here’s how you can catch every play.

Which Network is Airing the Super Bowl?

Because the Super Bowl is the most watched television broadcast each year, the NFL rotates it between its network partners on an annual basis. This year, the game will air on CBS, with long-time broadcaster Jim Nance and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo providing play-by-play and color commentary, respectively.

In order to watch the game, fans will have to tune into the CBS broadcast using one of several methods. These are your options to do just that:

Photo Credit: Welcomia/Getty

Over the Air

In football terms, an “OTA” is an “organized team activity,” but for us regular folks, OTA is a term used to describe a common method for broadcasting television shows. In this context, OTA stands for “over the air,” which is how local TV stations around the country send out their signal without requiring a cable or satellite subscription.

All you need to receive that signal is a regular TV antenna connected to your television. Most modern smart TVs can scan the airwaves to find the proper signals being broadcasted nearby. If you’re staying at a campground that you’ve been to before, there is a chance that you’ll already have the networks programmed into your TV. If not, you’ll need to run the scan to find the local CBS station before the game gets underway.

An OTA television signal has a number of advantages over other methods for watching the game. For starters, it is completely free—just tune in and watch. This type of broadcast usually doesn’t compress the signal either, providing excellent image quality to viewers. But if the transmission isn’t particularly strong, performance can suffer, causing image quality to degrade or the game to cut out at unexpected times. Properly aligning your antenna or connecting to a stronger RV antenna can help alleviate those issues.

Photo Credit: Google

Streaming

Streaming the Super Bowl over the internet is another option, provided you can access a fast connection at your campsite. The game will stream on Paramount+, which requires a subscription starting at $6/month. The game will also be available on internet television services like YouTube TV or Hulu+Live TV.

These services are an excellent way to catch all of the action, but as mentioned, a reliable internet connection is required. If other RVers are streaming over Wi-Fi at the campground, it may be challenging to maintain a strong enough signal to reliably watch the 49ers and Chiefs play. You may have better luck if you have your own connection—via Starlink or 4G/5G cellular service. Installing a wireless signal booster can also improve performance.

Photo Credit: DirecTV/Winegard

Satellite TV

The final alternative for watching the game from your RV is through a satellite TV provider. DirecTV and Dish Network are both great options for tuning into the Super Bowl. If this is your preferred option for watching television in your motorhome or trailer, chances are you already subscribe to one of those services. In which case, all you’ll need is a clear view of the sky from your campsite.

If you’re not already a satellite TV subscriber, there is still time to get signed up. But you’ll want to hurry, as depending on your RV, you may need to install a satellite dish and receiver before the game starts.

These are your best options for watching Super Bowl LVIII from your RV. Whichever method you choose, be sure to test the connection early to ensure you don’t miss a single play. And, of course, remember to stock up on your favorite food and drinks before kickoff.

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