So how can you watch March Madness online in 2022 if you don’t have cable? In this article, we’ll cover the best places you can watch the NCAA tournament online.
Where to Stream March Madness Online
Four different channels host the games for March Madness online live: CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV. To watch every game, you will need a service (or multiple services) that provides access to these streams. CBS access is dependent on your geographic location, so from the list below, double-check that the streaming service offers CBS for you. If CBS isn’t available where you live, your only option is to subscribe to Paramount+ and another service that offers the remaining three live streams.
1. YouTube TV
A YouTube TV plan includes all four channels you need to watch every game in the national championship. It also provides over 85 other live channels with unlimited recording storage.
2. Hulu + Live TV
The Hulu + Live TV plan covers each required live TV channel (as well as additional bonuses like Disney+ and ESPN+ for additional shows and live sports). Hulu + Live TV offers a 7-day free trial which will cover at least one weekend’s worth of March Madness games. After that, it costs $69.99 per month. It’s also available on Xbox One, PlayStation, Android, and iOS.
3. DirectTV Stream
DirectTV Stream covers every NCAA March Madness men’s basketball game. DirectTV provides over 65 live TV channels and over 40,000 on-demand titles. They offer a 5-day free trial and then charge $69.99 per month for a subscription. DirectTV is also supported by most streaming devices. Note: AT&T TV has now switched to DirectTV Stream for new users.
Other Streaming Options
There are other commonly recommended streaming services, including Paramount+, fuboTV, and Sling TV, but if you’re looking to watch every game in the NCAA March Madness Live, these are worth avoiding since they don’t offer all of the required channels. To save being upset on the day of a match when you find out your service isn’t streaming it, you’re better off going with one of the three options listed above. However, depending on your location, it may be cheaper to combine a Paramount+ subscription with one of the services that cover TNT, TBS, and truTV (such as Sling TV, which is the most affordable service in this list at $35 per month and offers a 3-day free trial). Paramount+ (previously CBS All Access) gives access to CBS for only $4.99 per month. It’s also possible to alter your location with a VPN to access geo-blocked services. All you have to do is get a 30-day free trial on your chosen VPN and access the streaming service from your location. Just keep in mind that not all VPNs will fix a geo-block issue.
Watch March Madness Online for Free
If you’re on a budget, it’s also possible to string together each of the free trials and cover almost all of the tournament games. Here’s the March Madness schedule so you can work out how to watch the tournament for free:
Selection – March 13 on CBSFirst Four – March 15 and 16 on TBS and truTVRound 1/2 – March 17-20 on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTVSweet 16 – March 24 and 25 on CBS and TBSElite Eight – March 26 and 27 on CBS and TBSFinal Four – April 2 on TBSNational championship game – April 4 on TBS
Back to the Dance
If you’re a cord-cutter, don’t worry; there are plenty of ways that you can still watch each NCAA Division I matchup without a cable TV provider. While each of the streaming services will set you back, if you plan to take each free trial at key points, you’ll be able to watch the tournament for free, starting with the first round.
