LOS ANGELES (AP) - Whether you’re on a beer run, a bathroom break or just can’t find a good seat at a packed party, there will be ways to keep tabs on the upcoming Super Bowl.
Just to make sure you’re covered, let’s examine each scenario so you don’t miss a second of the action. You might need a credit card. But what’s a few more bucks since you just bought that six-pack of beer?
Depending on your setup there’s a different playbook. Like Peyton Manning, sometimes you have to call an audible and change plans quickly. But preparation is everything.
Ready, set, hut hut!
BEER RUN
Before you get off the couch, grab your smartphone or tablet.
FIRST LOOK: If you are one of those power tablet users with a cellular data plan, you’re in luck. You can download the Fox Sports Go app and watch a live stream of the game and halftime show for free. Broadcaster Fox, which will host Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, will for the first time not require you to prove you are a pay TV subscriber to access the game through the tablet app. The promotion is only for the Super Bowl. Most of the time, proof of a pay TV package is required.
This is the best option for full video of the game, other than your regular TV, which will have the Super Bowl on the free-to-air Fox channel with hosts Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
SECOND LOOK: If you’re a Verizon customer, you’re also in luck. You can download the NFL Mobile app and pay $5 a month to get live video streams of every Monday night, Thursday night and Sunday night game. For the last two years, the app has also carried the Super Bowl and the halftime show.
If you’re outside of Wi-Fi coverage, reception may be spotty for the first two options.
CHECK DOWN: SiriusXM customers can download the mobile app and listen to live coverage of the game on channel SiriusXM NFL Radio as long as they’re paying the extra $3.50 per month for Internet access. If you’re not a customer yet, you’ll need to get at least a Sirius Select package for $14.49 per month plus $3.50 a month for Internet access. This requires that you have the satellite radio hardware.
You won’t be seeing the action, but the audio will be reliable even on cellular coverage.
SCRAMBLE: What if you don’t have a smartphone, satellite receiver or don’t want to pay? Wait for a commercial break and make a dash for your car. Tune to longtime Super Bowl host WestwoodOne, which has AM radio stations across the nation. If you’re smart, you’ll tune to the station beforehand. Drive to a liquor store that you know has a TV.
Both Sirius and the AM stations will carry the play-by-play with Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason.
BATHROOM BREAK
Grab the nearest laptop or tablet computer.
FIRST LOOK: Presuming you’ll be sitting down, surf to FoxSports.com on a Web browser or download the Fox Sports Go app on your tablet. While plans are still in flux, there’s a good chance that Fox will also host on-demand playback of the game’s commercials, which are usually a source of Monday morning chatter. That’s what CBS did last year, along with providing ways to comment on Twitter and Facebook about everything to do with the game.
Don’t forget to wash your hands.
SECOND LOOK: Turn the TV up really loud before heading to the head.
BAD SEAT
Grab the nearest laptop or tablet computer.
FIRST LOOK: Along with having a screen all to yourself, you will likely be able to toggle between different camera angles online. Last year, CBS offered several different ones including an “All-22” view that showed a top-down look at every player on the field so you can study formations as well as a “Fan Choice” camera view chosen by votes.
The computer option is also good even if you’re in front of your TV as you can participate in the online buzz around the nation’s biggest TV event of the year.
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Online:
Fox Sports Go, https://foxs.pt/1idhTH3
NFL Mobile, https://on.nfl.com/IgnGeH
Sirius XM, https://bit.ly/Im6tRO
WestwoodOne station finder, https://bit.ly/1fGv81c
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