If you’re a Green Bay Packers fan living in the Twin Cities, it’s good to know which games will not be aired on local TV so you can plan ahead. This season there are 6 Packer game blackouts in the Twin Cities and northwestern Wisconsin on local TV channels (not counting games on NFL network and ESPN).
Technically these games are not being “blacked out” as this is not due to the Packers being able to sell out their home games, but instead are caused by conflicts in schedule with the Minnesota Vikings and TV network schedules. That said, this region is an unofficial secondary market for the Packers and the networks do show all the Packer games on TV they are allowed. To see the full schedule of all games which networks they will be on, check out 506sports.com/nfl.
Packer games usually get TV priority if there’s no conflict with the Vikings. The only time I remember another game other than a Vikings game getting priority was Week 17 of 2009 Season when Eagles @ Cowboys aired over Packers @ Cardinals when Eagles-Cowboys had direct impact on the Vikings.
Blackout weeks are bolded below. You can also refer to the Packernet 2017 Packer Game Schedule for a schedule that includes Packer game blackouts in the twin cities and also the Chicago region.
Week 1-vs. Seattle; Sunday, Sept 10, 3:25 pm (Fox)
Twin Cities TV? Yes, Vikings on Monday Night so no conflict. 2nd Game of Fox Doubleheader that Sunday.
Week 2-@ Atlanta; Sunday, September 17, 7:30 pm (NBC)
Twin Cities TV? Yes, Full National
Week 3-vs. Cincinnati; Sunday, September 24, 3:25 pm (CBS)
Twin Cities TV? Yes, Vikings Home at Noon on Fox so no conflict. Should be main CBS Doubleheader Game.
Week 4-vs. Chicago; Thursday, September 28, 7:25 pm(CBS/NFL Network/Amazon)
Twin Cities TV? Yes, Full National
Week 5-@ Dallas; Sunday, October 8, 3:25 pm (Fox)
Twin Cities TV? Yes, Vikings on Monday Night so no conflict. Standalone Game on Doubleheader Day as well.
Week 6-@ Minnesota; Sunday, October 15, 12:00 pm (Fox)
Twin Cities TV? Yes, obviously if they’re playing the Vikings.
Week 7-vs. New Orleans; Sunday, October 22, 12:00 pm (Fox)
Twin Cities TV? No, even though Vikings are on CBS, it’s against NFL rules to air another game at the same time as a local team’s home game.
Week 8-Bye
Week 9-vs. Detroit; Monday, November 6, 7:30 pm (ESPN)
Twin Cities TV? Yes, for those who are Cable/Satellite subcsribers
Week 10-@ Chicago; Sunday, November 12, 12:00 pm (Fox)
Twin Cities TV? No, same time & network as Vikings
Week 11-vs. Baltimore; Sunday, November 19, 12:00 pm (CBS)
Twin Cities TV? No, even though Vikings are on Fox, it’s against NFL rules to air another game at the same time as a local team’s home game
Week 12-@ Pittsburgh; Sunday, November 26, 7:30 pm (NBC)
Twin Cities TV? Yes, Full National
Week 13-vs. Tampa Bay; Sunday, December 3, 12:00 pm (Fox)
Twin Cities TV? No, same time & network as Vikings
Week 14-@ Cleveland; Sunday, December 10, 12:00 pm (Fox)
Twin Cities TV? Yes, even with Vikings also at Noon. Vikings on CBS, on the road & Fox has the Doubleheader that Sunday so both games should be able to air at the same time.
Week 15-@ Carolina; Sunday, December 17, 12:00 pm (Fox)
Twin Cities TV? No, see Week 7 & Week 11 for explanation.
Week 16-vs. Minnesota; Saturday, December 23, 7:30 pm(NBC)
Twin Cities TV? Yes, Full National
Week 17-@ Detroit; Sunday, December 31, 12:00 pm (Fox)
Twin Cities TV? No, as of now.
Week 17 Note:
All games in Week 17 in the Eastern/Central Time Zones scheduled for Early, Mountain/Pacific Time Zone games scheduled late, Sunday Night Game TBD likely won’t be announced until after all Christmas Eve Games are completed at the earliest.
Just like Sunday Night Football for Week 17, all other changes will be announced either during or after Week 16 games are complete.
Both CBS & Fox have Week 17 Doubleheader rights & the rule prohibiting other games from airing during a local team’s home game is waived for that week so all markets get a Doubleheader on both networks. Games can also be cross-flexed from Fox to CBS or CBS to Fox.
As of right now you’re looking at 6 games possibly not on Local Television in the Twin Cities but things can change.
Many thanks to James Huss for contributing this article.