How to Watch College Basketball Live in 2026
Compare 7 streaming services with College Basketball coverage. Prices start at $8.99/month.
Quick Answer: Best Ways to Watch College Basketball
Where to Stream College Basketball in the United States
College basketball's regular season and March Madness tournament are spread across CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV. Streaming options include Paramount+ (CBS games), HBO Max (TNT, TBS and truTV games), Peacock (Big Ten) and various conference networks.
| Service | Monthly Price | Coverage | Free Trial | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paramount+
|
$8.99/mo | Partial March Madness CBS games | No | Visit Site |
Peacock
|
$12.99/mo | Partial 75+ Big Ten games exclusive to Peacock | No | Visit Site |
ESPN+ (ESPN Select)
|
$13.99/mo | Partial ESPN+ exclusive games | No | Visit Site |
|
HBO Max
|
$18.49/mo | Partial March Madness games on TBS, TNT and truTV (Standard or Premium plan) | No | Visit Site |
Sling TV
|
$45.99/mo | Partial ESPN networks only | No | Visit Site |
YouTube TV
|
$82.99/mo | Full March Madness, ESPN, CBS coverage | 7 days | Visit Site |
Hulu + Live TV
|
$99.99/mo | Full March Madness included | 7 days | Visit Site |
College Basketball Streaming Options Explained
Paramount+
Paramount+ is the exclusive US home of UFC from 2026 and is essential for Champions League fans; it also streams NFL on CBS games.
Pros
- UFC with no pay-per-view
- NFL on CBS
- Champions League
- Affordable tiers
Cons
- No live TV package
- Streaming delays possible
Peacock
Peacock offers significant sports value with Premier League, NFL, NBA, MLB and WWE coverage. It's an excellent complement to other services.
Pros
- Premier League coverage
- NFL Sunday Night Football
- NBA and MLB Sunday Night Baseball
- WWE content
Cons
- No local channels
- Limited DVR features
- Some content is premium-only
ESPN+ (ESPN Select)
ESPN+ (sold as ESPN Select since August 2025) provides access to thousands of live events not available on traditional ESPN channels; ESPN Unlimited adds the full ESPN linear networks.
Pros
- Affordable monthly price
- NHL and MLB out-of-market games
- Exclusive content
- No commitment
Cons
- Limited live event coverage
- No ESPN linear channels
- Supplementary service only
HBO Max
HBO Max offers coverage of College Basketball.
Sling TV
Sling TV offers the most affordable entry into live TV streaming, with Orange and Blue packages that can be combined or kept separate.
Pros
- Lowest base price
- Flexible packages
- No contract
- A la carte add-ons
Cons
- Limited DVR storage
- No local channels in most markets
- Split packages confusing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to watch College Basketball?
The most affordable option to watch College Basketball is Peacock at $12.99/month.
Can I watch College Basketball without cable?
Yes! You can stream College Basketball without a traditional cable subscription through services like Paramount+, Peacock, ESPN+ (ESPN Select). These streaming services offer live coverage that works on smart TVs, phones, tablets, and computers.
Which streaming service has the best College Basketball coverage?
The best service depends on your needs. For comprehensive coverage, we recommend comparing the services above based on game availability, price, and additional features like DVR and simultaneous streams.
Are there any free ways to watch College Basketball?
Some College Basketball games may be available on free broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) which you can access with a digital antenna. Additionally, most streaming services offer free trials for new subscribers.
Can I watch College Basketball on my phone or tablet?
Yes, all the streaming services listed above have mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. You can watch College Basketball games live on your phone or tablet with any of these services.
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