March Madness is one of the most exciting and highly anticipated sporting events of the year. Following the Super Bowl, there’s probably isn’t one event that brings in more eyeballs and generates more money. With 68 NCAA basketball teams battling it out in the March Madness bracket for the 2023 NCAA championship title, college hoop fans eagerly await the tourney to kick off on Thursday March 16th.
With more and more people turning away from traditional cable television in favor of more affordable (sometimes) and customizable streaming options. We’ve seen this with the growth of Netflix, HBO Max and Disney+. If you’re one of these cord cutters, don’t worry – you can still catch all the March Madness action without cable.
Choose a Streaming Service
There are several streaming services available that offer live sports channels, including those that will broadcast March Madness games. Some popular options include:
- Sling TV: Sling TV offers a variety of live TV channels, including ESPN, TBS, TNT, and truTV, which will all be broadcasting March Madness games. You can choose from two packages – Sling Orange or Sling Blue – or combine them for a discounted price.
- Hulu + Live TV: Hulu Live TV includes access to all four March Madness networks – CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV – along with over 75 other channels. You can also add on premium channels like HBO or Showtime for an additional fee.
- YouTube TV: YouTube TV offers over 85 channels, including all four March Madness networks that will be officially broadcasting the games. You can also record games to watch later with unlimited DVR storage. If you’ve been looking to sign up for YouTube TV so you can watch March Madness, this is a good time: you can can save up to $45 if you’re a new user.
Do you have Roku? if you do, you have a couple more options to stream the March Madness tournament.
Consider Antenna Options
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you can also try using an antenna to access March Madness games. CBS will be broadcasting several of the games, including the Final Four and championship game, so if you live in an area with strong CBS reception, you may be able to catch those games for free.
Purchase an Antenna
To use an antenna, you’ll need to purchase one that’s compatible with your television. There are several options available, including indoor antennas that can be mounted on a wall or placed near a window, and outdoor antennas that can be mounted on your roof. Prices can vary widely depending on the type and brand of antenna you choose, so do some research before making a purchase.
Find the Right Spot for Your Antenna
Once you have your antenna, you’ll need to find the right spot for it. This may take some trial and error, as different locations can affect the strength of your signal. Try placing your antenna in different spots around your home to see where you get the best reception.
Watch on March Madness Live
Officially, you can also watch March Madness games through the NCAA’s March Madness Live app or through NCAA.com’s official website (https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/watch). This app is available on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and streaming devices like Apple TV and Roku. While not all games will be available on the app, you’ll still be able to catch several of them, including the Final Four and championship game.
Download the March Madness Live App
To use the March Madness Live app, you’ll need to download it to your device. The app is available for free on both the App Store and Google Play.
Sign Up for a Subscription
While the app itself is free, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription to access all of the games. Prices can vary depending on the package you choose, but you can expect to pay around $20 for a month-long subscription.
As you can see there are several options available for watching March Madness games without signing up for cable. If you’re looking to cut the cord or transition away from Comcast or Charter or Spectrum, this is the good time to test it out without suffering.
Whether you choose a streaming service like Sling TV, Roku, or YouTube TV, go old school with an antenna, or keep it official with the March Madness Live app, you can catch all the action and follow your favorite March Madness teams. With these several different streaming options, you can cut the cord and still enjoy all the excitement of March Madness.
