College basketball season runs from November through the thrill of March Madness in the spring. Games are spread across dozens of channels and apps, but with the right setup you can follow your team — and your bracket — without cable.
Rights and schedules change. Check your team's schedule for each game's channel.
Where regular-season games air
- ESPN networks — ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network and ESPN's streaming service
- FOX and FS1 — including many Big East and Big Ten games
- CBS and CBS Sports Network
- NBC and Peacock — including Big Ten and Big East games
- TNT Sports — TNT, TBS and truTV
- Conference networks — such as the Big Ten Network
- ABC — select big games
March Madness
The NCAA men's tournament is shared by CBS and TNT Sports (TBS, TNT and truTV):
- CBS games are free with an HD antenna, and stream on Paramount+ plans that include live CBS
- TNT Sports games stream through TNT's streaming home and live TV services that carry TBS, TNT and truTV
- The Final Four and championship alternate between CBS and TBS by year
The cheapest way to watch
- Start with an antenna for games on CBS, FOX, ABC and NBC.
- Add one service that matches your conference: - SEC or ACC team → a service with the ESPN networks (Sling Orange, the ESPN app or a live TV service) - Big Ten team → a service with FOX Sports, the Big Ten Network and Peacock - Big East team → FOX Sports and Peacock
- For March Madness: antenna + a month of a service with TBS, TNT and truTV.
Everything is month to month, so subscribe from November to April and cancel in the summer. Save even more with our streaming money-saving habits.
Filling out a bracket?
Watch several games at once with multiview features on live TV services, or put a second screen next to your TV. A phone or tablet can also cast games — handy when every game is on at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch college basketball for free?
Games on CBS, FOX, ABC and NBC are free with an HD antenna. Games on cable sports channels need a subscription.
Where can I stream March Madness?
CBS games are on CBS (antenna) and Paramount+ plans with live CBS. TBS, TNT and truTV games stream on TNT's streaming service and live TV services that carry those channels.
Which service has the most college basketball?
Live TV services with ESPN networks, FOX Sports, TNT Sports and conference networks cover the most games. Check the channel list for your team's conference.
Do I need cable for the Final Four?
No. The Final Four airs on CBS or TBS depending on the year, both available without cable through an antenna or streaming.
