> The biggest TV draw has always been the 10-day marathon for the best team ropers in the world—the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Like last year, each NFR performance comes to you via CBS Sports Network, Dec. 5 to 14.
Each broadcast begins with a 30-minute Wrangler NFR Pre-Show, and then expect almost-live NFR action nightly at 10 p.m. EST. The network will re-air every show at 1 a.m. that next morning, if you need another DVR reset. CBS Sports is found at channel 158 on Dish Network and channel 221 on DirecTV. You can also watch by streaming with CBS All Access, fuboTV, and Hulu with Live TV.
> A brand-new highlight this year will be to watch the Gold Buckle Open to the World roping, broadcast on RidePass from the South Point Hotel and Casino on Saturday, Dec. 7, as part of the Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale XIV. Watch some of the best team ropers in the world compete over five rounds for a big chunk of money.
Here are your options: you can pay $29.99 for the WSTR Finale XIV package, meaning you can watch every roping live Dec. 8 to Dec. 15, with access until Jan. 31, and bonus footage from the 2018 Finale. Or, you can pay $79.99 for the entire year and have unlimited access to the Finale, plus big events like the Calgary Stampede, WRCA rodeos, PBR World Finals and Live with Lucia every day at 3 p.m. EST during the NFR, too. You can download the mobile app and watch on your computer, smart phone, smart TV and other devices.
There are also plenty of televised talk shows around town that bring you news from rodeo’s Super Bowl and Finale XIV. You can watch those every afternoon into evening on the Cowboy Channel, RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM.
> On the Cowboy Channel, you can watch the previous night’s GOLD BUCKLE CEREMONY daily at 4 p.m. ET. Taking place in Las Vegas’ South Point Casino dance hall, The Cowboy Channel will be covering the NFR Buckle Go-Round Awards ceremony, presented by Montana Silversmiths.
> OUTSIDE THE BARREL will air daily at 5 p.m. ET. Host Flint Rasmussen will broadcast his special daily talk show which includes interviews with rodeo contestants and luminaries at one of the most popular NFR attractions taking place on the main stage of Cowboy Christmas.
>WESTERN SPORTS ROUNDUP, airing at 6 p.m. ET, will feature co-hosts Steve Kenyon and Amy Wilson breaking down all of the rodeo action and interview special guests, plus their exclusive Western Runway fashion segment live from the main stage inside Cowboy Christmas.
>The Cowboy Channel will also feature RODEO PROFILES daily at 7 p.m. ET., followed by NATIONAL FINALS TONIGHT at 7:30 ET. An award-winning show hosted by eight-time World Champion and Hall of Famer Don Gay, World Champion Tie-Down Roper Joe Beaver and TV Host Dan Miller, National Finals Tonight will provide a daily wrap-up of NFR events. Interviews with celebrities and legendary NFR rodeo announcers including Bob Tallman and Boyd Polhamus, audience Q&A segments and nightly prizes will take place during the show
>RODEO LAS VEGAS LIVE WITH JUSTIN MCKEE comes on at 8:30 every night. As part of THE COWBOY CHANNEL’S extensive WNFR coverage, Justin McKee will host a daily pre-show live onstage outside of the Thomas & Mack Center. The hour-long broadcast will highlight NFR performances from the previous night, previews of rounds to come, athlete standings, riders to watch and interviews with participating athletes. Tributes to rodeo heroes and hall of famers will additionally be featured on the show.
> Thanks to social media, you can also keep abreast of the handiest kiddos in the country under 17. Previously known as the Junior NFR, this year’s Junior World Finals, presented by Yeti, kicks off and runs each of the same 10 days of the NFR, at the new Wrangler Rodeo Arena in the South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Watch Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Las Vegas NFR and BoydGamingEvents) for action from the #10 on Dec. 10 to 12 and the Open on Dec. 13 to 14. Downloading the NFR app on your smart phone gives you handy access to the Junior World Finals, as well as schedules, stats, blogs and social news (Visit NFRExperience.com).
[READ MORE: All Things NFR: The Complete Guide to the NFR]
