Chargers vs. Texans Kicks Off NFL Playoffs with Nickelodeon Broadcast

The NFL playoffs began Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, with a unique twist as the Los Angeles Chargers faced the Houston Texans in a wild-card game broadcast on Nickelodeon. The game, which aired at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+, also featured a kid-friendly Nickelodeon simulcast, complete with animated characters and slime-filled graphics.

The Chargers, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, entered the game with an 11-6 record, while the Texans, under rookie sensation C.J. Stroud, finished the regular season 10-7 to clinch the AFC South. The matchup marked the sixth NFL game broadcast on Nickelodeon since the network’s debut in 2021, a collaboration aimed at engaging younger audiences with football.

Nickelodeon’s broadcast included animated versions of SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star, voiced by Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke, respectively. Nate Burleson hosted the coverage, with sideline reporting from NFL Slimetime’s Dylan Schefter and SpongeBob’s Sandy Cheeks, voiced by Carolyn Lawrence. Dora the Explorer, voiced by Diana Zermeño, explained rules and penalties throughout the game.

The Chargers vs. Texans game was available to stream on Paramount+, Fubo, DirecTV, and YouTube TV. Paramount+ offered a one-week free trial for new subscribers, while Fubo provided access to over 100 live channels, including CBS, ESPN, and NFL Network, for $80 per month.

Nickelodeon’s NFL broadcasts have become a postseason tradition, blending football with the network’s signature humor and creativity. Previous games included the 2021 wild-card matchup between the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints and Super Bowl 58 in 2024. The network also airs a weekly show, ‘NFL Slimetime,’ to further engage young fans.

The winner of the Chargers vs. Texans game advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs, continuing their quest for a Super Bowl berth. The NFL playoffs will conclude on Feb. 9, 2025, with Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.