How to Watch March Madness Online Without Cable (2023 Streaming Guide)
Selection Sunday kicks off on March 12, 2023. From there, March Madness will be in full swing. Whether you plan to watch the men’s or women’s games, you can watch them all without cable. Find the full details below on how to watch March Madness online without cable.
March Madness is consistently one of the most watched sporting events of the year. Depending on the year, this college competition sometimes draws more viewers than the NBA Finals. Of course, to many basketball fans, both events are worth watching.
March Madness consists of over 70 games for both the men’s and women’s teams. There are multiple channels needed to keep up with March Madness. The good news is that you can watch March Madness online without cable. You can watch both the men’s and women’s events from Selection Sunday all the way to the NCAA Basketball Championship!
If you’re new to streaming, there is nothing to worry about. It’s easier than ever to find a streaming service that offers the top sports channels. In fact, in the following sections you’ll find everything you need to watch March Madness online.
You’ll find the channels both the men’s and women’s games will air on. You’ll also find full details about which streaming services offer those channels and how to sign up. Streaming services allow you to cancel at any time, so if you sign up and aren’t satisfied, you can cancel and try another service.
Keep reading for more information on how to watch March Madness online without cable.
What Channels Air March Madness?
You’ll need four networks to watch the entire March Madness event from start to finish. As long as you have these four networks you can watch every game of the men’s tournament. If you want to watch the women’s tournament, you’ll need a few more channels.
Thanks to streaming services it’s easy to replace cable and get a similar lineup for less. It’s possible to find a service that offers all the channels needed to watch both the women’s and men’s March Madness without cable.
You’ll need the following networks to watch the men’s tournament online:
- CBS
- TBS
- TNT
- truTV
If you want to watch the women’s tournament, you’ll need:
All the streaming services that offer ways to watch March Madness online are up next.
The Best Streaming Services to Watch March Madness Online without Cable
One of the main reasons that people stick with cable is convenience. If you’re not familiar with streaming, you might worry about finding the channels you want. This is especially true when it comes to sports. Even if you’re brand new to streaming though, you’ll soon discover just how easy it is.
In the following sections, you will learn about the best sports streaming services available. These services will give you a chance to watch March Madness, NFL, soccer, NHL, MLB, and many other sports. Some services even offer international sports options. With the right service, you won’t even miss cable.
The trick is finding the right service for you. Luckily, this guide offers all your best options when it comes to watching March Madness without cable. From there, you just pick a service and start streaming. If you find you don’t like a service, you can cancel (hassle-free) and move onto the next service. It won’t take long for you to find the service that suits all your needs.
It’s also worth noting that many streaming services offer free trials. This gives you a chance to get a sample before your subscription kicks in. During the trial, if you know that you aren’t fond of a service, just cancel and you won’t be charged. Just make sure to cancel prior to the end of the trial window, otherwise you might end up paying for a month of service.
Streaming services only charge you for what you get. So, if you cancel your service prior to the end of your billing cycle, the service will continue to work until you would be charged again, when it will end.
Here’s where you can watch March Madness online without cable!
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is a great choice for watching sports. Packages start at $75 per month. Several ESPN networks, local channels, TBS, TNT, truTV, and many other popular channels are included. You’ll even find several regional sports networks in some packages.
The DIRECTV STREAM channel lineup is available to give you a clear look at what each package has to offer. You can visit the site and put in your zip code to find the exact channels you’d receive in your area. More channels can be added to your package for an extra fee. Remember, if you sign up and find that your package wasn’t what you wanted, you can cancel at any point.
With DIRECTV STREAM your package will include a cloud-DVR and an on-demand library. You’ll be able to stream on multiple devices at the same time. You can also watch some networks through TV Everywhere apps.
You can stream DIRECTV STREAM on most common streaming devices. Options include Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, computers, iOS and Android phones and tablets, Roku, and other devices.
Our DIRECTV STREAM review can tell you more.
You might also want to try the free 5-day trial of DIRECTV STREAM.
fuboTV
fuboTV offers some of the channels you’d need to watch March Madness online, but not all of them. Despite offering multiple packages, channels like TBS and TNT are not available. Local channels are available in most homes. Multiple ESPN networks are also included. Packages start at $75 per month.
Depending on your package, you’ll have access to local channels (based on location), regional sports networks like Bally Sports, BTN, ACCN, USA, FX, FS1, FS2, fubo Sports Network, and many other popular channels. Make sure to check out the full fuboTV channel lineup.
Package features include an on-demand library, a cloud-DVR with 1,000 hours of storage space, simultaneous streaming on multiple devices at once, and access to several available TV Everywhere apps.
You can stream the fuboTV app on most streaming devices. Options include iOS/Android devices, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, computers, Chromecast, Roku, and other devices.
Our fuboTV review can offer even more details.
A 7-day fuboTV free trial is available!
Hulu Live
Hulu Live is a great service, filled with popular channels. Packages start at $70 a month. Local channels are available in most homes, so you should have access to ABC and CBS. You’ll also have ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, truTV, USA, FX, FS1, and many other top networks. You can visit the Hulu Live channel lineup for more details.
Hulu Live offers several add-on package options. These can be added and canceled at any time. They include things like package upgrades and movie channels or channel bundle additions. Your package also comes with subscriptions to ESPN+ and Disney+.
Hulu Live allows you to sign into TV Everywhere apps with your account. You’ll be able to create up to 5 profiles per account, too. Other features include simultaneous streaming, Hulu’s on-demand library, and your own cloud-based DVR with unlimited space.
Hulu Live has been around for a while, so it works on most streaming devices. Some options include gaming consoles, computers, and mobile devices. Other options include Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Roku.
Learn more when you visit our Hulu Live review.
Try Hulu Live for free during the 7-day trial!
Sling TV
Sling TV is one of the cheapest live streaming services you’ll find. Packages start at just $40 per month. There are three packages to choose from. You’ll also be able to add multiple channels or bundles to your package for an added fee. You can modify or cancel your package at any time. The best way to learn about these packages is to check out the Sling TV channel lineup.
Sling TV offers limited coverage to local channels, so you won’t have access to CBS. ABC is not included either, but you can watch anything sports-related that airs on ABC on ESPN3. Depending on your package, you’ll have access to ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, truTV, TBS, USA, and many other popular channels.
Every Sling TV package includes access to an on-demand library, a cloud-DVR with 50-hours of space, and use of TV Everywhere apps. Simultaneous streaming may be available, it just depends on your package.
Sling TV is compatible with most streaming devices. Some options you have will include iOS/Android devices, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, and other devices.
Our Sling TV review has all the details.
Check out the current Sling TV deals here.
Vidgo
Vidgo gives you the choice of multiple packages that include a mix of sports and general entertainment. Plans are available from $60 a month. There are no free trials available. That said, you’re free to cancel your package whenever you want, so you’ll never be stuck with it if you’re not satisfied.
Local channels are limited where Vidgo is concerned, but you will have access to FOX and ABC. Unfortunately, CBS is not included. Other missing channels include TNT, TBS, and truTV. You will have multiple ESPN networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU.
Vidgo includes the same package features no matter what package you choose. You’ll be able to pause and rewind live TV. Another feature allows you to create and enjoy watch parties with as many as 100 Vidgo users.
You can stream Vidgo on most popular streaming devices. Options include Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, iOS & Android devices, Chromecast, Roku, and more.
Check out our Vidgo review to find out more.
Check out the deals on Vidgo, here.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV features one package for $65 per month. More than 80 channels are included. You can also add more channels to your package for a fee. Local channels are included in most areas of the country. Like other services, there is no contract involved, so you can cancel when you want.
The YouTube TV channel lineup gives you a clear look at all the channels in your package. In addition to local channels, you’ll have ESPN, ESPN2, USA, FS1, TNT, FX, TBS, truTV, Big Ten Network, and many other popular channels.
Your YouTube TV subscription will give you the chance to make up to six profiles. This allows everyone in the family to have their own watchlist. Other added features include a cloud-based DVR with unlimited storage space, an on-demand library with YouTube Originals, and use of TV Everywhere apps.
The YouTube TV app is available on most streaming devices. You can use your iOS or Android phone or tablet or even your gaming console. Other options include computers, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV.
Our YouTube TV review has additional details.
Try YouTube TV free for a week.
FAQ
Still curious about how to watch March Madness online? If you have a question, feel free to check out our FAQ, where you might find an answer. You can also leave us your question in the comments if you don’t see it here.
What Channels do I need to Watch March Madness Online?
March Madness will air on CBS, TBS, truTV, and TNT. All these channels are available without cable through the streaming services listed above.
Do I need the same Channels to Watch the Women’s and Men’s March Madness?
No, since the Women’s and Men’s rounds happen on a similar schedule they will air on different networks. If you want to watch the women’s rounds, you’ll need ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU.
Can I Watch March Madness without Cable?
Yes! Using any of the streaming services mentioned here, you’ll be able to find the channels necessary to watch March Madness online, legally, without cable.
Will March Madness Air on ESPN+?
No. None of the March Madness games are scheduled to air on ESPN+.
A Final Word on How to Watch March Madness Online
March Madness is one of the most exciting events in college sports every year. This year won’t be any different. In the past you may have watched March Madness via a cable provider. Well, now you have the option to save money by using a streaming service. It’s just as easy to watch March Madness online and it’ll save you some cash, too.
All the available options for streaming services that will air March Madness have been included here. Just pick one and you can be set to stream within minutes. If you’re not certain which service is right for you, try some of the services that offer free trials. If you don’t like them, cancel, and move on to another service. You’ll find the right one soon enough and the money you save will make it worth it.
If you have more questions about how to watch March Madness online without cable, you can leave them in the comments!
