There’s a particular time of year when TV sellers know you’ll be glued to the screen and looking for the top television bargains.
Super Bowl Sunday — this year Feb. 13 — is the unofficial major holiday that draws about 100 million viewers annually, making it an ideal moment to hunt for TV discounts unless you’re lucky enough to have a ticket to see the game live.
Your television is more crucial on Super Bowl Sunday than at almost any other moment, which is why sitcoms have often used the game as plot material. Think of the King of Queens episode where Doug tried to ingratiate himself with Carrie’s boss just so they could watch the game in hi-def on his large-screen set.
Retailers aim to supply you with the best possible display so your football-watching experience is top-notch. That’s why January is prime time for buying a new TV — merchants mark down screens to their lowest prices of the year because they know shoppers are looking now.
Most modern televisions are smart TVs, meaning they connect to streaming platforms — the way many viewers now watch live NFL action if they’ve cut the cord.
As you browse TV deals, remember to consider: How will the new television get to your home? Do you have a vehicle capable of transporting it, or must you pay for delivery? Factor that into your total savings. Also consider whether you’ll want professional setup.
How Many People Tune In for Football’s Showcase?
Super Bowl LVI (that’s Roman numeral 56 for the numerically challenged) will take place on Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. SoFi Stadium is the modern, striking venue shared by the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams.
Last year’s game drew about 96.4 million viewers, the smallest TV audience for an NFL title game since 2007. That figure includes those watching in bars and restaurants, where pandemic-related lower attendance likely played a role. Streaming viewership, however, did see growth.
The NFL says nationally televised regular-season games average roughly 17 million viewers. So why the big jump for the championship? The Super Bowl is tied to large gatherings and memorable commercials that pull in many viewers who might not watch football any other time of the season.
Top Super Bowl TV Offers
A new large-screen set will also be useful for the Winter Olympics from Beijing, Feb. 4–20, which are also airing on NBC. There are other ways to watch the Winter Games.
Ready to shop? Below are several standout deals we located on large-screen TVs, plus a few smaller options if you’ll be watching from a bedroom or the kitchen.
Walmart
According to Popular Mechanics, the Sony X85J 4K UHD Roku Smart TV is a top 4K LED pick. A 65” model at Walmart is listed for $1,098, down from $2,237.
UHD represents the step up from high definition — improving resolution from 1,920 pixels to 2,160 pixels.
“4K” denotes the premium tier for cinematic viewing. While many high-end TVs offer either 4K for movies or UHD for live-action, this Samsung model includes both capabilities.
Walmart has a 55” Samsung Class 4K Crystal UHD LED Smart TV with HDR for $478 plus tax, reduced from $569.
HDR stands for high dynamic range, the leading technology today for improved color, contrast and clarity.
Want something larger? Check the Samsung 65” 4K Curved Crystal UHD LED Smart TV with HDR for $727 plus tax, down from $900.
Yes, curved crystal — the display is curved, which can be a notable enhancement for live-action viewing.
Best Buy
Best Buy has discounted the LG 65” Class UP7000 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV from $620 to $500, making it a solid option for a big-game screen.
WebOS is LG’s smart TV operating system, enabling advanced features and remote control of connected devices.
If you prefer LG, Best Buy lists the LG 48” Class Ai Series OLED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV for $850, down $350 from $1,200. Or save $300 and go massive with the 77” LG Class C1 OLED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV for $3,000.
If you’re loyal to Sony and want a top-tier set, Sony offers the 65” Class Bravia XR A80J Series OLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV for $2,200, a $100 markdown. It’s rated as a premium 4K choice by Popular Mechanics, though you might find better bargains elsewhere.
Amazon
Searching TVs on Amazon reveals several “limited time” deals, though the exact duration is often unspecified.
One limited-time offer cut nearly $200 off the Vizio 58” M7 Series Premium 4K UHD Quantum Color LED HDR Smart TV with Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in — down from $770 to $590, a $180 discount.
You can also save $200 on the Sony X80J 65” 4K UHD LED Smart Google TV with Dolby Vision HDR and Alexa compatibility, marked down from $950 to $750.
Target
At Target, a large set — the 75” Westinghouse UHD Smart Roku TV — is priced at $660, reduced from $850. Westinghouse is a less familiar name in TV manufacturing, and this model isn’t LED or UHD.
A TV that does match the 4K UHD standard is the 65” Element 4K UHD Roku TV, available for $500, down from $630. Element is another lesser-known TV brand.
Watching the Game from the Kitchen
If you plan to watch the game while cooking, a 24-inch tabletop TV is ideal. Expect to spend under $200 for models like the Vizio 24” D-Series Full HD 1080p Smart TV with Apple AirPlay and Chromecast built-in for $158 on Amazon.
Best Buy lists the LG 24” Class LED HD TV for $160, and the step-up LG 24” Class LED HD Smart webOS for $180.
If there’s ever a time to comparison-shop for TV deals for the big game — or to set your best online bargain hunter loose — this is it. Also check ideas for cheap super bowl snacks and advice on budget super bowl party planning to make your game day both affordable and fun.
Kent Marshall is a seasoned reporter who’s covered personal finance topics since 2013. He contributes to Savinly.
