Chances are that most TV viewers (try 100 million-plus) on Sunday night will be tuned to Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. In fact, TV options outside the Big Game are limited, since most networks opt to run repeats in the face of the colossal competition.
But, if pigskin’s not your thing — or if the game proves to be a blowout (or suffers another ill-timed power outage) — there are a few lone choices out there. Here are eight alternative programs to watch Feb. 2.
“Puppy Bowl X” 3-5 p.m. (repeats), Animal Planet
The original Super Bowl counter-programming of adorable puppies romping on the gridiron is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and is upping its game to mark the occasion. This year’s two-hour show will feature a new kitty halftime show, cheerleading penguins and celebrity felines Keyboard Cat and Lil Bub.
“Downton Abbey” 9 p.m., PBS
The British costume drama was the second-most-watched program on Super Bowl Sunday in 2013 with 8.8 million viewers. It’s back to claim the title with its fifth episode of Season Four, which sees Rose’s (Lily James) surprise party for Robert (Hugh Bonneville) risk scandal, Mary (Michelle Dockery) meet an old suitor and Edith (Laura Carmichael) get troubling news.
“Kitten Bowl” 12-3 p.m. (repeats), Hallmark Channel
After years of watching the dogs play, cat lovers get their due in this first-time special featuring four teams of kittens with names like Feline Manning, Tomcat Brady and Ferrell Owens. Beth Stern hosts with play-by-play from New York Yankees radio voice John Sterling and appearances from celebrities including Regis Philbin, Hoda Kotb and Rachael Ray.
“Shameless” 9 p.m., Showtime
After originally announcing it would sit out the night, Showtime reversed course and decided to air original episodes of all its Sunday series. In “Shameless,” Fiona (Emmy Rossum) continues a secret affair and Frank (William H. Macy) tries to claim an insurance payout. If the game runs long, there are also new episodes of “House of Lies” (10 p.m.) and “Episodes” (10:30 p.m.) on tap.
“Fish Bowl” 6-10 p.m., Nat Geo Wild
Not to be outdone by puppies and kittens, the network will train its cameras on a goldfish swimming in a fish bowl who encounters food, a scuba diver, crazy red crabs, erupting volcanoes and a visit from network stars Dr. Pol and Cesar Millan.
“Chopped” 9 p.m., Food Network
The chefs are challenged to make a pizza-perfect meal including entree pizzas with some unusual toppings and dessert pizzas with candied mushrooms and salted caramel sauce.
“Weather Bowl 2014” 8 p.m., The Weather Channel
The network devoted to all things weather-related is using the first cold-weather outdoor Super Bowl as an excuse to mount an alternative halftime show with the second-half outlook from meteorologists as well as forecasts for each team’s hometown.
“Sherlock” 10 p.m., PBS
In the Season 3 finale, Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and John Watson (Martin Freeman) face off with evil mastermind Charles Augustus Magnusson, a slippery businessman who owns the most powerful people in the Western world.