For the first time this year, "Hey, Siri, watch the Super Bowl," is something you can say to Apple's personal digital assistant and actually expect her to show you the big game.
There's a big asterisk, though: you'll need to be a subscriber of one of the handful of TV providers that are compatible with the single sign-on service that debuted with iOS 10.2 in December. Assuming you have one and an Apple TV with the latest software update, you can ask Siri to cue up the big game on Sunday and she'll automatically tune in using your TV provider's login information.
Apple has long touted Siri's usefulness as an Apple TV companion, especially after announcing the single sign-on service at WWDC 16. The idea is that Apple's tvOS—and iOS, too, if you want to watch TV on your phone or tablet—will store your login info for your cable TV service and a select handful of additional apps, so you don't need to look up on which channel your TV show, movie, or event is airing.
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But Cupertino has been slow to deliver on its promise, and it was only until the rollout of iOS 10.2 that the single sign-on feature became available. It currently supports DirecTV, Sling, and a handful of other regional providers like Hawaiian Telcom. AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, and Time Warner Cable are conspicuously absent.
Apple has faced similar challenges in getting app manufacturers to support the sign-on feature. As of last week, HBO GO was added to the compatibility list, alongside Hulu, Showtime, Starz, and others. But Netflix, Amazon Video, and many others aren't supported. Several apps, like the History Channel and ESPN, are only supported on iOS devices, not tvOS; you can view the full list of supported apps and services on Apple's website.
As for watching the Super Bowl, don't forget that anyone with an antenna in broadcasting range of their local station can cheer for the Patriots or the Falcons on their big-screen HDTVs for free—no app, cable company, or Siri required.