March Madness® is almost here, and with 67 games, nonstop action and multiple matchups tipping off at the same time, keeping up can feel like a sport of its own. Dramatic upsets, Cinderella stories and bracket-busting finishes are all but guaranteed. Missing a buzzer-beater doesn’t have to be.
The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off with Selection Sunday on March 15, when the 68-team bracket is revealed. Tournament play begins March 17, with multiple rounds of action building toward the National Championship on April 6. Games throughout the tournament will air across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV, with the championship game broadcast on TBS.
With games happening nearly all day during the early rounds (and often several at once), having the right viewing setup makes all the difference. DIRECTV brings the entire tournament together in one place, with powerful viewing features that will make following the action easier than ever.
Don’t have DIRECTV yet? Get in the game!
New Special Features
Just in time for tipoff, DIRECTV has launched new and enhanced features designed to simplify how fans find, track and watch tournament games — even when the schedule gets hectic.
Multiview: Multiple Games, One Screen
Trying to keep up with multiple tournament games at once usually means constant channel flipping and split attention. DIRECTV’s Multiview eliminates that stress.
For nearly two decades, DIRECTV has pioneered multi-channel viewing technology. Now it’s rolling out the March Madness® Mix, allowing fans to watch multiple games at once on a single screen, no channel flipping required.
The March Madness® Mix is available to satellite customers nationwide and Signature Pack and MySports Genre Pack streaming customers in select markets.
Here’s what fans can expect during the tournament:
- A 4-box view featuring CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV during the tournament’s first and second rounds
- Satellite (Ch. 205-1): Available March 19-20 (then tune in to Sports Mix Channel for remaining games)
- Streaming (Ch. 243): Available in select markets March 19-22
- A 2-box view featuring CBS and TBS during the Sweet 16®
- Satellite: Not available, tune in to Sports Mix Channel for remaining games
- Streaming: Available in select markets March 26-27
When every possession matters and games overlap all afternoon, Multiview may quickly become one of the most valuable channels on your lineup!
Sports Central: Your Game-Day Hub
Watching multiple games is only half the battle; finding them quickly matters just as much.
DIRECTV’s Sports Central has long been available on DIRECTV devices as a built-in hub for finding and managing live sports. Now, it’s also available on the DIRECTV app! The update is available immediately for iOS devices; simply open the App Store and tap Update.
What is Sports Central?
Instead of searching through the guide or jumping between menus, Sports Central acts as a centralized sports hub within the DIRECTV experience, making it easy to locate games, view schedules and jump directly into the action. Inside Sports Central, viewers can:
- Find live games currently airing across DIRECTV channels
- Browse upcoming schedules so you always know what’s coming next
- Explore league, matchup and team pages for additional game details
- Record games airing on DIRECTV channels, including specific matchups or favorite teams
- Favorite teams so their games and updates appear front and center
- Access games from streaming apps (like YouTube, Prime Video, ESPN Select and Peacock) alongside DIRECTV channels. Separate subscriptions may be required.
Favorite Your Teams
During tournament season, personalization matters. Take advantage of the “favorite” feature in Sports Central to prioritize the games that matter to you.
- On a connected TV device, fans can select their favorite teams through the Teams Selector.
- On mobile or tablet devices, simply search for a team and tap Favorite.
Once selected, those teams appear prominently within Sports Central, making it easier to track upcoming matchups and jump straight into live games.
March Madness® on Sports Central
When schedules move quickly and games overlap throughout the day, personalization helps fans stay connected to the teams they care about most.
Accessing Sports Central in the DIRECTV app is simple; just select the “Sports” icon on the navigation bar to get started.
DIRECTV Where to Watch
Looking for where to watch the 2026 NCAA Tournament? The games will air across CBS*, TBS, TNT and truTV, and DIRECTV offers multiple ways to access the full tournament lineup.
Signature Packages
All four tournament channels are included in the CHOICE™ Package and above, giving fans access to the full tournament broadcast lineup.
And just in time for March Madness®, DIRECTV is rolling out a CHOICE™ Package offer for new streaming customers:
- Get the CHOICE™ Package for $59.99 for your first month
- Sports Pack included free for one month
- Offer ends April 23
Don’t wait until the Final Four; this offer is designed to get you ready before the biggest games tip off!
MySports®
For sports enthusiasts, the MySports pack offers a focused, sports-first lineup. DIRECTV’s industry-first Genre Packs® allow viewers to choose channel lineups based on the type of content they watch most. For March Madness®, MySports includes the essential channels: CBS*, TBS, TNT and truTV.
It’s a streamlined option designed specifically for sports fans, with no annual contract required.
*Local channels vary by market
Don’t Miss a Moment of March Madness®
The NCAA Tournament delivers some of the most unpredictable and exciting moments in sports: dramatic upsets, unforgettable buzzer-beaters and plenty of bracket chaos along the way. With games airing across multiple networks and several rounds packed into just a few weeks, the right viewing experience makes all the difference.
DIRECTV brings everything together with access to tournament channels, plus enhanced features like Multiview and Sports Central that allow fans to easily track multiple games and stay connected to their favorite teams.
Start streaming today and experience every upset, overtime thriller and championship moment live with DIRECTV.
