Puppy Bowl XV start time; a sloth, a capybara, & a Kitty Halftime Show

Today, Animal Planet is delivering the good with the annual Puppy Bowl — and yes, it’s absolutely bonkers that it’s in its fifteenth year. This is a longstanding tradition for the network, and one of the biggest ratings draws that they get on an annual basis.

So when can you check out the annual festivities? Think 3:00 p.m. Eastern time, a few hours before the start of the game. You can watch, get your fill of assorted cuteness, and then get back to CBS in time to watch most of the Super Bowl pre-game show. If you’re looking to live stream the show, remember that the only way you can do that is via an authorized cable provider — there’s a lot of false advertising out there when it comes to people promising free streams.

Just in case you are wondering precisely what makes this Puppy Bowl special — beyond of course the puppies — we’ve got a sense of that below. In the video (one of many that Animal Planet has put out there in preparation for the big game), you are introduced to some of the animals who are a part of the show other than your canine friends. Think in terms of a sloth serving as a referee, kangaroo cheerleaders, and a capybara (the world’s largest rodent, serving as the mascot), and a sloth — which, fittingly, will be the referee. Odds are, the probably wouldn’t have called pass interference in the NFC Championship Game, either. There are also going to be some porcupine for one reason or another — we’re going to imagine them serving as the security for the stadium. (There is also going to be a Kitty Halftime Show, though that’s not really featured in the video.)

Anyhow, one of the interesting things about this particular broadcast that is always great is the heavy push towards animal adoption that you get during the game.  While it’s a fun way to spend part of Super Bowl afternoon, there is a larger message at the center of this that is very much worth remembering.

Watch the full pre-game show

Animal Planet has a free, hour-long special leading up to the big game, which you can watch by heading over to the link here.

Want all of CarterMatt’s Super Bowl coverage?

We suggest that you visit the link here! Throughout the day, we’re going to be sharing some of the latest updates of all of the day’s festivities — whether it be the National Anthem, the Puppy Bowl, the Halftime Show with Maroon 5, or even a number of the commercials that you have a chance to see along the way. We’re glad to be your source for TV news at every turn.

What are you the most excited to see about the Puppy Bowl this year? Be sure to share right now in the comments. (Photo: Animal Planet.)