Men’s and women’s NCAA college basketball games air across national TV networks, conference channels and streaming services in 2026–27.
Major broadcasters include ABC, CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC and conference-specific networks like ACC Network, SEC Network and Big Ten Network. Select matchups are also available via streaming services like ESPN Unlimited and Peacock.
This guide covers how to find your team’s next game on DIRECTV throughout the 2026–27 college basketball season.
Stream college basketball all season long with DIRECTV’s MySports — get 20+ sports channels and ESPN Unlimited without needing to pay for a full live TV plan.
How to Watch NCAA Basketball on TV & Streaming
NCAA college basketball games air across multiple networks and streaming services over the course of the season, which can make it difficult to know where to watch your favorite team play live.
In 2026–27, you can watch college basketball games live on TV on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, FOX, FS1, NBC, TNT and college-specific networks including ACC Network, SEC Network and Big Ten Network. Certain matchups may air on streaming platforms like ESPN Unlimited and Peacock.
Channel availability varies by package and location. Some games require separate streaming subscriptions.
What Channel is College Basketball On?
Men’s and women’s college basketball games air across ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, CW, ESPN networks, FOX, FS1, NBC, TNT, TBS, truTV and conference-specific networks. The specific channel depends on the team, conference, matchup and whether you’re looking for men’s or women’s coverage.
Here’s where to find the key NCAA basketball channels on TV with DIRECTV:
| Network | DIRECTV Channel Number |
| ABC | Find local ABC affiliate |
| ACC Network | 612 |
| Big Ten Network | 610 |
| CBS | Find local CBS affiliate |
| CBS Sports Network | 221 |
| CW | Find local CW affiliate |
| ESPN | 206 |
| ESPN2 | 209 |
| ESPNEWS | 207 |
| ESPNU | 208 |
| FOX | Find local FOX affiliate |
| FS1 | 219 |
| FS2 | 618 |
| NBC | Find local NBC affiliate |
| SEC Network | 611 |
| TBS | 247 |
| TNT | 245 |
| truTV | 246 |
| USA Network | 242 |
Not every college basketball game is available through a live TV channel. Instead, some matchups stream exclusively on services including:
- ESPN Unlimited (includes 12+ ESPN live channels plus ESPN Select)
- HBO Max
- Peacock
- Paramount+
- Conference-specific streaming services
Local channels, sports networks and streaming availability vary by location, package and platform. Confirm your DIRECTV channel lineup before game day.
How to Watch College Basketball by Conference
There are certain agreements between NCAA conferences and TV networks and streamers that make it easier to figure out where your team may be playing on any given night. Below, find the networks and streaming services carrying the biggest college basketball conferences during the 2026–27 season.
How to Watch ACC Basketball
Fans can watch ACC men’s and women’s basketball games on ESPN networks, ACC Network (DIRECTV channel 612) and The CW throughout the 2026–27 season. Select games are also available through ESPN’s streaming platforms, including ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).
How to Watch SEC Basketball
SEC men’s and women’s college basketball games air on ESPN networks and SEC Network (DIRECTV channel 611), with additional matchups available through SEC Network+ (SECN+).
How to Watch Big Ten Basketball
Big Ten men’s and women’s basketball games air across CBS, FOX, FS1, NBC and Big Ten Network (DIRECTV channel 610), with additional coverage on Peacock and B1G+. Women’s college basketball fans can also watch the 2027 Big Ten Tournament championship on CBS and Paramount+, making it one of the major destinations for conference basketball coverage throughout the season.
How to Watch Big 12 Basketball
Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball games air across ESPN networks, FOX Sports and CBS Sports Network throughout the 2026–27 season. Men’s coverage also includes select games on TNT, truTV and Peacock, while women’s matchups are available on ESPN Select, FOX, FS1 and CBS Sports Network.
How to Watch Big East Basketball
Big East men’s and women’s basketball games are available across FOX, NBC and TNT Sports networks, with additional coverage on Peacock, HBO Max and ESPN Select. Fans can catch nationally televised matchups featuring programs like UConn, St. John’s, Villanova and Creighton, while ESPN Select provides additional women’s basketball games throughout the 2026–27 season.
How to Watch Pac-12 Basketball
Pac-12 men’s basketball games air on CBS, CBS Sports Network, The CW and USA Network throughout the 2026–27 season. Women’s basketball coverage includes nationally televised games on The CW and USA Network, with additional matchups available to stream for free through Pac-12 platforms. The women’s conference tournament semifinals and championship will also air on The CW.
2026–27 College Basketball TV & Streaming Channels by Conference
College basketball TV coverage varies by conference and between men’s and women’s games. Here’s where to watch NCAA basketball during the 2026–27 season, including national TV networks, conference channels and streaming platforms.
| Conference | Men’s Basketball Coverage | Women’s Basketball Coverage |
| ACC | ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network, The CW, ESPN streaming platforms | ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network, The CW, ACCNX |
| Big Ten | CBS, FOX, FS1, NBC, Big Ten Network, Peacock, B1G+ | FOX, FS1, NBC, Big Ten Network, Peacock, B1G+; CBS for tournament championship |
| SEC | ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, SECN+ | ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, SECN+ |
| Big 12 | ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN networks, FOX, FS1, TNT, truTV, Peacock, ESPN Select | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Select, FOX, FS1, CBS Sports Network |
| Big East | FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, TNT, TBS, truTV, Peacock, HBO Max, FOX One, ESPN Select | FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, Peacock, TNT, truTV, HBO Max, FOX One, ESPN Select |
| Pac-12 | CBS, CBS Sports Network, The CW, USA Network, Paramount+, ESPN Unlimited | The CW, USA Network, ESPN Unlimited for CW games, free Pac-12 streams |
| Mountain West | CBS, CBS Sports Network, FOX, FS1, FS2, The CW, Mountain West streaming | CBS Sports Network, The CW, Mountain West streaming |
| Atlantic 10 | ESPN networks, ESPN Select, CBS Sports Network, USA Network | ESPN networks, ESPN Select, CBS Sports Network, USA Network |
| West Coast Conference | ESPN networks, ESPN Select, CBS Sports Network | ESPN platforms, including ESPN Select; select national broadcasts |
| Missouri Valley | ESPN networks, ESPN Select, CBS, CBS Sports Network, select regional stations | ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Select, select regional stations |
| American | ESPN networks and ESPN Select | ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Select |
| Big West | ESPN Select, Spectrum SportsNet | ESPN Select, Spectrum SportsNet |
2026–27 College Basketball TV Schedules
Looking for a specific NCAA basketball game? Check the upcoming men’s and women’s college basketball TV schedules to find matchups, game times and available channels.
And for the best live sports experience, sign up for DIRECTV today!
Frequently asked questions
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