Spring is in the air, but for basketball fans nationwide, tulips and pastels are taking a backseat to brackets and buzzer-beaters — March Madness is almost here. As the excitement builds up, everyone is eager to learn whether their team will make the tourney, and, if so, which seed, as well as how to watch March Madness. While the tournament is must-see TV, it’s not worth resorting to illegal streaming sites that can steal your data and compromise your device. StreamSafely is here to guide you through the legal streaming options available for each round of the year’s premier college basketball tournament.
Channels and Schedule
All 67 March Madness games will be broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Each channel will cover specific rounds to ensure comprehensive coverage throughout the event. Though the NCAA has not yet released the official broadcast schedule, you can view it at NCAA.com as soon as it goes live.
So while you can’t make your bracket just yet, be sure to mark your calendar with the date of each game to be certain you don’t miss a moment.
March Madness Schedule
- Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 17
- First Four: March 19-20
- First Round: March 21-22
- Second Round: March 23-24
- Sweet 16: March 28-29
- Elite Eight: March 30-31
- Final Four: Saturday, April 6
- NCAA Championship Game: Monday, April 8
March Madness Venues
- First Four
- UD Arena, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
- First/Second Rounds
- Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
- CHI Health Center, Omaha, NE
- PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
- Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
- Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
- Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
- FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
- Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, Spokane, WA
- Regionals
- East: TD Garden, Boston, MA
- South: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
- Midwest: Little Ceasars Arena, Detroit, MI
- West: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- Semifinals and National Championship
- State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Cable Providers and Streaming Services
Now that you know when to tune in, let’s explore the TV providers and streaming services that offer legal access to March Madness.
Cable
Since March Madness is broadcast across four channels you may already be good to go with your existing cable package. If you are looking to start a new cable service, make sure your package includes CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV so you don’t miss a single game. Your provider options will vary depending on your zip code, and price preferences will help you determine the best package for your needs.
Streaming Services
- NCAA March Madness Live: As the official streaming option of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA March Madness Live offers real-time coverage of all NCAA tournament games. While the content requires authentication through a cable or satellite provider, the platform gives you unlimited access on the device of your choice.
- DIRECTV STREAM: DIRECTV’s streaming option is the company’s most flexible offering when compared to their satellite and Internet services. It includes all the necessary channels and cuts out all the fillers — and all the contracts.
- Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: Paramount’s streaming service provides comprehensive coverage of the tournament via local CBS affiliate. While it’s a paid option, the service often offers a free, 7-day trial, allowing you to enjoy some of the games without committing to a long-term subscription. It’s important to note a subscription to the premium tier with SHOWTIME is required to access this live stream.
- TBS, TNT and truTV Apps: These channels also offer standalone streaming apps that allow you to catch the games live. Check if your cable or streaming subscription includes these channels, and if it does, you can access the content through the respective apps.
- Hulu + Live TV: With a “cancel anytime” policy, Hulu + Live TV hails itself as the best way to watch college basketball. The bundle now includes Disney+ and ESPN+ (both with ads), but bear in mind the service only offers a free trial for on-demand content through Hulu, not live sports via Hulu + Live TV.
- YouTube TV: No March Madness tournament is complete without interviews with the players, press conferences, and expert analysis. YouTube TV offers its subscribers access to NCAA March Madness 360 and its panelists along with all the channels necessary to enjoy the full schedule of games. With no contracts or hidden fees and a free, 7-day trial, YouTube TV makes March Madness hassle-free.
- Sling TV: If you want to stream March Madness, Sling offers live TV streaming that includes all the necessary channels to keep up with the action. While Sling does not offer a free trial, it does offer half off the first month.
Several of these options include free trials so you can test the waters and decide which provider is right for you.
| NCAA March Madness Live | DIRECTV STREAM | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV | Sling TV | |
| Does It Offer a Free Trial? | No and it requires cable subscription | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
What Happened in the 2023 Men’s Tournament?
The 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness tournament concluded with the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies winning the national championship over the San Diego State Aztecs. This win added to UConn’s illustrious history in NCAA basketball, further cementing its legacy as one of the premier programs for both men’s and women’s basketball.
Stay Safe and Informed
As March Madness unfolds, be sure to only use safe, legal streaming options — free or paid. StreamSafely is your go-to source for all things related to safe streaming. We’ll make sure you can enjoy the tournament, and all your favorite shows and movies, responsibly!
