The NFL Today

The maps are notable because they determine which game millions of fans can watch on local broadcast television without a special subscription service. They are crucial for fans whose local team is not playing or who wish to follow a specific out-of-market matchup. The distribution is based on complex factors including team popularity, regional interest, and the perceived national appeal of the game.

This term has been in the news recently due to the weekly publication of coverage maps for the current NFL season. As evidenced by recent headlines, Week 12 of the 2025 season saw multiple sports outlets publishing and analyzing the maps for games broadcast on CBS and FOX. These articles typically detail which regions will see high-profile matchups, such as the Chiefs versus Colts game, and list the scheduled announcers for each broadcast.