The New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams are set to collide in the Super Bowl LII, but we all where it’s really at—and we’re not talking about the commercials. We’re taking, of course, about the Super Bowl halftime show, the most-watched musical events of the year.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch the Super Bowl 2019 halftime show online for free.
What time is the Super Bowl halftime show?
Super Bowl LII kicks off at 6:30pm ET on Feb. 3, but realistically, the kickoff probably won’t be until another 15 minutes or so after that. Factor in two 15-minute quarters and boatload of commercials, and you can expect the Super Bowl halftime show probably around 7:45pm or 8pm ET.
Super Bowl 2019 halftime show lineup
This year, the Super Bowl 2019 halftime show headliners will be pop-rock band Maroon 5, led by The Voice judge Adam Levine. The show will also feature rappers Travis Scott and Outkast’s Big Boi.
Late last year a popular petition floated around social media asking the Super Bowl to pay tribute to the recently deceased Spongebob Squarepants creator Stephen Hillenburg. The petition rallied to have Spongebob’s classic “Sweet Victory” rock anthem played during the show. There’s no news on the petition’s front, but a teaser for the Super Bowl 2019 halftime show flashed a frame of Spongebob, plucked right from the episode that made “Sweet Victory” popular with cartoon fans. If something came of it, it wouldn’t be the first time the Super Bowl halftime show came with a few surprises.
How long is the Super Bowl halftime show?
The Super Bowl halftime show is typically somewhere between 12 and 14 minutes. Expect a medly of hits and at least one surprise cameo.
How to watch the Super Bowl 2019 halftime show online for free
To watch the Super Bowl 2019 halftime show, you’ll need to first be able to watch Super Bowl LII. For that, you’ll need access to CBS. Luckily, there are a handful of live TV streaming service options that come with a one-week free trial, so you can try out the service before committing. Depending on which service you choose, the availability of CBS in your area might vary. The links below will offer a quick primer on what channels you’ll get with each service.
1) CBS All Access
- Cost: $5.99 per month for streaming with ads, $9.99 per month for the ad-free version (after a one-week free trial)
- Devices: Roku, Apple TV, Android and Android TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, select smart TVs, Xbox, PS4, and the CBS app.
CBS All Access is CBS’s answer to Netflix and Hulu. With it, you’ll be able to live stream CBS and the Super Bowl halftime show. Plus, there are 10,000 episodes of CBS television to binge, including hit shows The Big Bang Theory, Big Brother, and NCIS. You’ll also be able to stream CBS All Access exclusives like Star Trek: Discovery.
2) Hulu with Live TV
- Cost: $40 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- Hulu devices: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, and iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, the CW (check your local availability here)
Hulu with Live TV not only gives you access to on-demand content, but you’ll also be able to stream live TV, including local networks like CBS. Along with access to live TV events like the Super Bowl 2019 halftime show is the massive library of on-demand movies, classic programs, and of course, original series available exclusively on Hulu. You’ll also get access to almost 60 channels, including Lifetime, ESPN, USA, and plenty more. (Here’s the complete list of Hulu Live TV channels.)
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3) FuboTV
- Cost: $39.99 for your first month and $44.99 per month thereafter (after a 7-day free trial)
- FuboTV devices: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS (check local availability here)
If you’re a sports fanatic, FuboTV is a streaming service built just for you. In addition to football, there are packages tailor-made for fans of basketball, international soccer, golf, and even rock climbing. For the rest of the family, there’s a suite of great channels including Food Network, IFC, TBS, Cartoon Network, and more. (Here’s the complete FuboTV channels list.)
4) PlayStation Vue
- Cost: $44.99-$79.99 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- PlayStation Vue devices: PlayStation 3 and 4, Roku, Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast, Kodi, iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
Depending on your location, Sony’s PlayStation Vue likely includes CBS, among other local channels. While you don’t need a PlayStation console to use PlayStation Vue streaming service, it certainly wouldn’t hurt. It looks fantastic on a PS4 and lets you jump from gaming to streaming on one device. One subscription lets you stream on up to five devices, all with unlimited cloud DVR storage. (Here are all of PlayStation Vue channels.)
5) YouTube TV
- Cost: $49.99 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- YouTube TV devices: Google Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One, iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, the CW (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
The original destination for videos online has rolled out a streaming package of its own. YouTube TV offers a streaming suite of more than 60 popular cable networks, including local channels. Among them are sports channels including ESPN and FS1, entertainment destinations like FXX and TBS, and even a handful of Spanish language channels like Telemundo and NBC Universo. One YouTube TV subscription lets you add up to six accounts, each with unlimited cloud DVR. (You can find the full list of YouTube TV channels here.)
6) DirecTV Now
- Cost: $40-$75 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- DirecTV Now devices: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Amazon Fire Stick
- Local channels: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, the CW (enter your ZIP code here to check local availability)
DirecTV Now is DirecTV’s answer to online streaming. If you simply must have the most channels, DirecTV Now offers upwards of 125 channels in its most expensive package. Of course, its basic $40-a-month Live a Little plan will get you access to CBS, where you can stream the Super Bowl halftime show. (You can find the full list of DirecTV Now channels here.)
7) Locast
- Cost: Free
- Devices: Most web browsers
If you’re lucky enough to live in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, Denver, Boston, or Dallas, non-profit streaming service Locast will let you stream the halftime show free. It will scratch the itch, the only downside is you’ll be relegated to watching in a web browser, instead of a fancy flat-screen, unless you use Chromecast or a similar device.
New to cord-cutting? Here are our picks for the best movie streaming sites of 2018 and free live TV apps and channels. If you’re looking for a specific channel, here’s how to watch HBO, Showtime, Starz, Sundance TV, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, Willow, AMC, FX, Fox News, Freeform, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, FS1, TBS, TNT, Tennis Channel, Golf Channel, Syfy, HGTV, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Bravo, Lifetime, Discovery, PBS, the CW, BBC, CSPAN, NBA TV, MTV, Comedy Central, Food Network, TLC, HLN, A&E, Animal Planet, National Geographic, the Weather Channel, the History Channel, and NFL RedZone without cable, as well as free movies on YouTube. If you’re on the move, here’s how to watch Fox Sports Go and live stream NBC Sports.
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