Indianapolis, IN

Two ways to watch Colts vs. 49ers FREE STREAM today | Philip Rivers

Published

3 months ago

December 22, 2025

Two ways to watch Colts vs. 49ers FREE STREAM today | Philip Rivers

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INDIANAPOLIS — Philip Rivers makes his second start since coming out of retirement to lead the Indianapolis Colts against San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night Football” today – Monday, Dec. 22 – at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. This game is available on multiple streaming services for free.

What channel is Colts vs. 49ers Monday Night Football?

Today’s game will broadcast live on ABC and ESPN with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Eastern.

Two ways to watch Colts vs. 49ers for free

DIRECTV (free trial and $40 off your first month)
FuboTV (free trial and $25 off your first month)

The most flexible non-free option is Sling TV, which now offers new users a Day Pass for $4.99, Weekend Pass for $9.99, Week Pass for $14.99, Monthly for $45.99 and Season Pass for $199.99 for five months and $45.99 per month thereafter

This game is also available on the ESPN app streaming service, which now offers an Unlimited Plan for $29.99 per month (or $299.99 for entire year) and the Select Plan for $12.99 per month (or $129.99 for entire year). The ESPN app replicates its previous coverage of select games and broadcasts on ESPN Plus.

Who is announcing Colts vs. 49ers?

Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst) will be the announcers while Laura Rutledge and Tom Rinaldi report from the sidelines.

What are the latest odds for Colts vs. 49ers?

Spread: IND: (+5.5), SF: (-5.5)

Moneyline: IND: (+225), SF: (-280)

Point total: 46.5

Odds from DraftKings

How to Watch COLTS – 49ERS

What: NFL Week 16: Indianapolis Colts vs. San Francisco 49ers
When: Dec. 22, 2025
Time: 8:15p.m. Eastern
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.
Channel: ABC and ESPN
Best Streaming Options: DIRECTV (free trial and $40 off first month), FuboTV (free trial and $25 off first month) and Sling TV (half off first month and daily, weekend, weekly, monthly and season pass)

What is FuboTV?

FuboTV, which features a free trial and $25 off your first month if you sign up for the Pro or Elite plans, is a streaming service that offers over 200 channels. It offers sports, entertainment, news, business and more. The service also offers on-demand options, including full television shows. You may access this service on multiple devices, including computers, phones, tablets and more.

There are four plans which are Latino, Pro, Elite and Premier ranging from $32.99- $99.99.

What is DIRECTV?

DIRECTV, which offers a free trial and $40 off your first month, lets you enjoy live TV and on-demand services without a contract through multiple packages. These include the entertainment package, the choice package + sports pack, the ultimate package + sports pack. The prices range from $79.99-$109.99.

What is Sling TV?

Sling TV users can now get a Day Pass for $4.99, Weekend Pass for $9.99, Week Pass for $14.99, Monthly Pass for $45.99 and Season Pass for $199.99 for the first five months and $45.99 per month thereafter. You can also subscribe to either the Blue package or the Orange package depending on your viewing preferences. Sling Blue allows up to three streams at a time and Sling Orange allows one stream at a time. Both the Blue and Orange packages are $23 for the first month, then increase to $45.99 per month thereafter.

Here is more information on this matchup from the AP:

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The last time Philip Rivers suited up inside Lucas Oil Stadium, he and his Indianapolis Colts teammates clinched a playoff spot.

A lot has changed in those five years.

Rivers left the NFL, started coaching high school football in Alabama, became a grandfather and shocked the world by coming out of retirement and nearly leading the Colts to a victory last week in Seattle.

He returned to his former team with old friend Shane Steichen calling the plays for a franchise under new ownership. And on Monday night, he’ll be playing in front of a near capacity home crowd — something he didn’t get to do during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic year.

Still, two things have not changed: Rivers remains stuck on 134 career wins and the Colts haven’t reached the playoffs since he was Indy’s starter the last time. The 44-year-old quarterback believes he can achieve both over the next three weeks or he wouldn’t be playing.

“I know the NFL is a big deal and this, and it can be whatever it can be,” Rivers said after rejoining the Colts. “But to me, it’s like ‘Hey, you get to play football, potentially, for four more weeks and maybe then some.’ And as long as I can live with the results, both good or bad, and go back home and move on, then I was willing to go for it, and I was able to get to that place mentally.”

While many around the league — from Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Tennessee defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons — lauded Rivers’ effort to make a comeback, most were intrigued to see how Rivers would play.

Yes, he does have some physical limitations, and, yes, concerns about his mobility, his ability to throw deep and the long layoff prompted Steichen to take a safer approach in last week’s 18-16 loss at Seattle.

While Indy leaned heavily on its ground game and a short passing game to protect Rivers from taking needless hits, he still went 18 of 27 with 120 yards and threw an interception on Indy’s final offensive play.

The Colts (8-6) lost their fourth straight game to remain one spot outside the AFC’s seven-team playoff field, and Rivers acknowledged this week he must be better over the final three games to save Indy’s fading playoff hopes.

Still, the 49ers (10-4) know what they’re up against. Three years ago, when San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan was looking for stability at quarterback, he reached out to Rivers. Because the need didn’t actually arise until the NFC championship game, Rivers never signed.

But after studying last week’s tape, Shanahan believes Rivers still has what it takes.

“I see a guy who knows how to play the position as good as anyone,” Shanahan said. “I think he had 27 throws in that game and every ball goes right to the exact spot. He attacked their coverages great. He played against a very good pass rush and was able to get rid of the ball. He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever watched, and he definitely helped that team.”

Can Rivers get it done at his age? Only time will tell.

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Indianapolis, IN

Final Four Fan Fest, concerts in Indy feature some big names

Published

2 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

Final Four Fan Fest, concerts in Indy feature some big names

Heading to Indianapolis for the 2026 Final Four?

There’s plenty beyond basketball to keep you busy with fan events and concerts popping up across downtown Indy to mark the April 4 and 6 games at Lucas Oil Stadium — plus the Division II, Division III and NIT championships taking place back-to-back-to-back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse April 5.

Concerts featuring Twenty One Pilots, Zac Brown Band, Post Malone and Megan Moroney are the headliners. There will be an additional music festival, a dribbling contest through the city and what the NCAA is dubbing a multi-day “sports wonderland” at the Indiana Convention Center are on tap for the extended Final Four weekend. Here’s your guide to everything downtown will have to offer.

Swish 2026

April 3-6. Around downtown. Live music, art and giveaways. Free. indyarts.org/swish-2026

More than 200 local artists, performers, vendors and chefs will be part of the family-friendly festival, where visitors can grab free commemorative posters and postcards by Herron School of Art and Design students. The Indy Arts Council, Indiana Sports Corp, Forty5 Presents, Ganggang, Epicurean Indy, and the Local Organizing Committee for the 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four are putting on the celebrations. Events include:

Noon-6 p.m. each day: Live music performances by central Indiana musicians, dancers and spoken-word poets at Monument Circle, 1 Virginia Ave., PNC Plaza, Starbucks at 30 S. Meridian St. and sites to be announced
Sidewalk Galleries: Vinyl-wrapped storefront murals and poems as well as mural-wrapped traffic signal boxes and art installations at the Indianapolis International Airport
11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 4: Epicurean Market and MOKAO, with more than 50 vendors an international market with food, artisan coffee and chocolate. At the Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave. epicureanindy.com
Sampson Levingston will lead walk and talk tours about college basketball history in downtown’s Mile Square. Reserve free tickets at tinyurl.com/3sdknyc9
March 27-April 4: The Asante Art Institute will present the play “A Touch of Glory” about the 1955 Crispus Attucks Tigers, the first all-black school in the country to win a high school basketball state championship. At the Basile Theatre at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St. $30-$45.

Final Four Fan Fest

April 3-6. Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave. $10 tickets until March 29, $15 during event week. Tickets here and more info here.

The Indiana Convention Center will host games, activations, music, celebrity appearances and more throughout the Final Four extended weekend. Free entry for kids under 12 (with accompanying purchase of adult ticket), Final Four game ticketholders, military personnel, college students with valid school ID and Capital One cardholders.

April 3: noon-6 p.m.
April 4: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
April 5: noon-6 p.m.
April 6: noon-8 p.m.

Final Four Friday

April 3, 10 a.m.-3:35 p.m. Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave. Free entry. More info here.

Lucas Oil Stadium will open its doors for a USA Basketball 3×3 exhibition game Friday morning, followed by open practices from the Final Four teams. Final Four Friday will conclude with the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star Game, featuring the top seniors in Division I basketball. All-Star players will also sign autographs at the South End of Lucas Oil near section 138.

March Madness Music Festival

April 3-5. American Legion Mall, 700 N. Pennsylvania St. Free entry. More info here.

Downtown’s American Legion Mall will host a three-day music festival with a lineup of major artists and performers. The festival will kick off April 3 with the AT&T Block Party, followed by Coca Cola Live April 4 and the Capital One JamFest finale April 5. Alternative duo Twenty One Pilots, country group Zac Brown Band and a double bill of country hip-hop superstar Post Malone and surging pop country star Megan Moroney will headline April 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

Check out the schedule below:

April 3: 4:30-10 p.m.
April 4: 3:30-10 p.m.
April 5: 2-10 p.m.

The NCAA has also announced a Madness After Dark event, which will feature a DJ set from EDM duo The Chainsmokers, to take place after the April 4 performances. The event will run from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Indiana Rooftop Ballroom, located at 140 W. Washington St.

Men’s Final Four Dribble

April 5 at 1 p.m. Carroll Stadium (1001 W. New York St.) to Victory Field (501 W. Maryland St.). Free registration. Registration here and more info here.

Participants 18 and under will dribble a basketball along a one-mile course from IU Indianapolis’ Carroll Stadium to Victory Field. The first 3,000 to register will receive a t-shirt, basketball and free entry to the Final Four Fan Fest.

Men’s Final Four Tip-Off Tailgate

April 3-6. 126 E. Georgia St. Free entry. More info here.

Downtown Indianapolis will offer free watch parties for both the Men’s and Women’s Final Four along Georgia Street. The festivities will also include games, activations and giveaways.

April 3: 4-11 p.m.
April 4: 1-11 p.m.
April 5: noon-6 p.m.
April 6: 4-11 p.m.

Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.

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Indianapolis, IN

WRTV’s new owner promised more news. It fired the staff. | Opinion

Published

14 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

WRTV’s new owner promised more news. It fired the staff. | Opinion

Circle City Broadcasting promised to serve the public, then gutted a newsroom after the federal government gave it a pass to violate an antimonopoly law.

Circle City Broadcasting, the parent company of WISH-TV and WNDY-TV, closed on a deal to buy WRTV for $83 million earlier this week. The deal went through after the federal government gave it a pass to violate an antimonopoly rule, claiming it would serve the public interest.

Mass layoffs at WRTV immediately followed. That’s bad for local journalism and is not in the public interest of Indianapolis viewers.

Circle City can’t blame finances for the layoffs

Immediately after Circle City Broadcasting purchased WRTV, former staff members reported on social media that they were fired along with a large portion of the WRTV staff.

Kyle Mounce, a meteorologist, said “the staff at WRTV was shown the door today.” Chief Meteorologist Todd Klaassen confirmed “essentially the entire staff was let go.” Nico Pennisi, a downtown Indianapolis community reporter, and Nicole Griffin, an anchor, both confirmed on social media it was their last day at WRTV.

There’s no doubt that broadcast media is facing a crisis of shrinking ratings. That has led to financial issues, consolidation and layoffs in the past.

However, Circle City Broadcasting made it very clear in FCC filings one of its main reasons for purchasing WRTV was to use the ABC affiliate to access advertising revenue. WRTV is also a higher-ranked station in the Indianapolis media market than Circle City Broadcasting’s own WISH-TV or WNDY-TV.

If the station has higher ratings and more access to advertising revenue, there’s no legitimate financial reason for laying off staff.

If around a dozen physical and digital print media publications can find ways to innovate and sustain themselves in Indianapolis, despite technological advancements and without treating their employees like indentured servants, so can broadcast media.

Circle City Broadcasting’s anticompetitive behavior

In Circle City Broadcasting’s case, the consolidation and mass layoffs reflect a troubling pattern.

The company has forced WISH-TV employees to sign wildly restrictive non-compete clauses, banning them from working in nearly any form of media — including social media and podcasts — for a year after leaving the station.

While such clauses are legal for now, they aren’t moral or consistent with free-market economics. The Indiana General Assembly recently invalidated similar types of agreements between hospitals and physicians.

The exchange between Circle City Broadcasting and E.W. Scripps, the former owner of WRTV, furthered both companies’ efforts to secure local media monopolies.

E.W. Scripps sold WRTV to help fund the reacquisition of 23 ION-affiliated stations it divested in 2021 to comply with FCC ownership rules. The company said it will “seek waivers from the FCC to the extent such rules are still in effect.”

Local news monopolies aren’t in the public interest

Circle City Broadcasting said it is committed “to investing the resulting increased revenue into the Stations to deliver even greater local news, sports, and public affairs programming.”

The company’s actions contradict that commitment. Circle City Broadcasting may as well have just bought the naming rights to the station or secured an affiliation agreement with another large media company.

That could have helped grow local journalism. Instead, a part of it was destroyed.

Dujuan McCoy, owner of Circle City Broadcasting, in a statement responding to a post I made on X claimed “following our initial transition, WRTV-ABC will increase to more than 30 hours of live local news and entertainment programming per week — distinct and separate from the 90 hours of WISH-TV’s content that we currently air.”

That would be seven more hours per week than WRTV was broadcasting before, according to McCoy — but it’s not consistent with immediately laying off the station’s staff, and it’s unclear how he plans to deliver on that promise with a decimated newsroom. More newscasting doesn’t equate to more original local journalism.

The work of journalists — discovering new information, elevating community voices and bringing attention to hyperlocal issues that would otherwise not be heard — cannot be replaced.

Contact Jacob Stewart at 317-444-4683 or jacob.stewart@indystar.com. Follow him on X, Instagram and TikTok.

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Indianapolis, IN

IU to play Syracuse at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Published

1 day ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

IU to play Syracuse at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — IU is set to play Syracuse at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 9, a source confirmed to WISH-TV Sports Director Anthony Calhoun.

Darian DeVries is heading into his second season as IU’s head coach. The Hoosiers went 18-14 in his first season at the helm.

IU and Syracuse last played in 2021, a game Syracuse won in double overtime.

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