March Madness 2024: Watch Every Game Without Cable

Find out how to watch March Madness 2024 without cable using Max, Paramount+, DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Hulu Live TV.

Try these cost-effective and free methods for some NCAA tournament games, including a new streaming option on Max for budget-friendly access. Get all the games, from Selection Sunday to the National Championship.

March Madness
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Published: March 19, 2024

College basketball fans can find new ways to stream March Madness in 2024 without cable. The newest method to watch the NCAA tournament online and track your bracket is also the most cost-effective.

Cheapest Ways to Watch March Madness 2024 Without Cable

Max with the Bleacher Reports Sports add-on is the most affordable option to catch games on truTV, TNT, or TBS. The price for this ad-supported plan is $9.99 per month. It includes the Bleacher Report Sports Add-on, which has March Madness games airing on TNT, TBS and truTV. Max also has the distinction of offering live sports in 1080p Dolby Vision.

Paramount+ offers March Madness games airing on CBS. With the Paramount+ and Showtime combo, you get all CBS games for $11.99 per month. This setup lets you stream the any of the men’s NCAA March Madness Tournament airing on CBS, including the Final Four and the NCAA Championship Game. However, you can watch these games for free with a TV antenna if you get decent reception of a local CBS station.

March Madness kicked off with Selection Sunday on March 17, 2024. The NCAA tournament starts with the First Four on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:40 p.m. ET.

Here’s a complete guide on how to watch every March Madness game from today to the Final Four and National Championship.

How Can I Stream March Madness in 2024?

DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Hulu Live TV offer CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV. Fubo lacks TNT, TBS, and truTV (the Turner stations). Max is the best deal for watching the NCAA tournament games on TNT, TBS, and truTV, especially when paired with a TV antenna for the Final Four and National Championship on CBS.

Streaming ServiceFree TrialMonthly PriceKey Channels
MaxNo$9.99TNT, TBS, truTV
Paramount+7 days$11.99CBS
DIRECTV STREAM5 days$79.99CBS, TNT, TBS, truTV
YouTube TVVaries$72.99CBS, TNT, TBS, truTV
Sling TVNo$40TNT, TBS, truTV
Hulu + Live TVNo$76.99CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV

How to Watch March Madness for Free?

You can watch March Madness games on CBS for free by connecting a TV antenna to your Smart TV. Be sure to scan for channels under settings after you connect the antenna.

For TNT, TBS and truTV, and CBS, DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV offer free trials, letting you stream these channels temporarily without a fee. 

Max: Your Way to Stream March Madness Live

Max, once known as HBO Max, is now streaming March Madness 2024 with the Bleacher Report Sports add-on. This new method skips the need for cable and shows live NBA, MLB, and NHL games too. Max offers plans starting at $9.99 per month for ad-supported viewing, a good deal for cord-cutters who watch sports on TNT, TBS and truTV.

In February, the B/R Sports add-on began offering live sports in 1080p Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. You need a streaming device and Smart TV that supports Dolby Vision to enjoy the enhanced picture resolution HDR format.

The no-ads plan costs $15.99 per month, and it includes the Bleacher Report add-on for free as well. Later, this add-on will be $9.99 per month.

PLANPRICECHANNELS
With Ads$9..99/monthSports from TBS, TNT and TruTV (with B/R Add-on)
Ad-Free$15.99/monthSports from TBS, TNT and TruTV (with B/R Add-on)
Ultimate Ad-Free$19.99/monthSports from TBS, TNT and TruTV (with B/R Add-on)
Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Cox device, LG Smart TV, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung TV, VIZIO Smart TV, Xbox, XClass TV/Xumo TV, Xfinity X1 and Flex.

Sling TV: Stream March Madness at a Low Cost


Sling TV is a low-cost choice for March Madness, but remember truTV comes only with the Blue package.
Both Sling Orange and Blue plans are $40 per month, offering TNT and TBS. Orange gives you ESPN, CNN, and Discovery ID for one screen. Blue has NFL Network, FS1, and TLC, allowing three screens at once. 

You can get both Orange and Blue plans together for $55 monthly with a total of 80+ channels.
Every Sling subscriber gets 50 hours of Cloud DVR and access to on-demand shows. You can use Sling on TVs, Amazon Fire, Roku, Apple TV, and others. Check the channels before you sign up.

watch-nfl-games
Sling TV is an inexpensive option for ESPN. (Photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Orange$40/month32
Blue$40/month41 (Locals included)
Orange + Blue$55/month88
Device support: AirTV Mini, Amazon Echo Show, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast along with Smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast.

Hulu + Live TV: Complete March Madness and TNT Streaming


Hulu + Live TV shows March Madness games on TNT, TBS, CBS and truTV within its 90+ channel range, priced at $76.99 per month.
This service offers A&E, ESPN, FX, and more, plus endless Cloud DVR and access to Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu’s shows and movies. This option is a solid pick if you want to bundle your on-demand and live TV streaming options for one price. 

With Hulu, you can stream on two screens at once. It includes local broadcast channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS across the U.S.

(Photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)$76.99/month90+
Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)$89.99/month90+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV.

DIRECTV STREAM: Try March Madness for Free


DIRECTV STREAM offers the Entertainment package at $79.99 per month that includes channels for all March Madness games along with ESPN, and local channels. 

Subscribers can watch March Madness 2024 across its four plans. The Entertainment plan has over 75 channels, endless Cloud DVR, and a wide range of TV shows and movies on-demand. They also give a 5-day free trial.

DIRECTV STREAM now has a new Sports Pack for $14.99 per month, adding 23 channels like the Big Ten Network. The Sports Pack isn’t necessary for March Madness, but might be a compelling addition for sports fans wanting channels like MLB Network and CBS Sports Network.

directv stream local channels
(photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Entertainment$79.99/month75+
Choice$108.99/month105+
Ultimate$119.99/month140+
Premier$164.99/month150+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia.

YouTube TV: Stream Every March Madness Game Without Cable


With 128 channels, YouTube TV covers every March Madness game, including CBS, for $72.99 per month. Its base plan includes key sports channels, news and family options like CNN, Golf Channel, and Nickelodeon. Users get unlimited Cloud DVR and can set up six profiles, ideal for families or groups.

youtube-tv-channels
(photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
YouTube TV$72.99/month128
Device support: Android TV, Google TV, Smart TVs by Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Hisense, Sharp and Sony; Chromecast, Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation and Google Nest Hub; Android and iOS devices.

How to Watch March Madness 2024 FAQs

How can I watch March Madness without cable for free?

You can watch CBS’s March Madness games for free by using a TV antenna with your Smart TV. For streaming other games on TNT, TBS, and truTV, consider signing up for free trials from services like DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV.

What are the cheapest ways to watch March Madness on a Fire Stick?

On a Fire Stick, Max offers a cost-effective way to stream March Madness games, with plans starting at $9.99 per month. Sling TV is another affordable option, especially if you choose the Sling Blue package that includes truTV, TNT, and TBS, priced at $40 per month.

Does Peacock stream March Madness, and how can I access it?

Peacock does not stream March Madness. You can use Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, or YouTube TV, which offer comprehensive coverage of the tournament on CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV.

Can I stream every game of my favorite team during March Madness?

Yes, you can stream every game of your favorite team during March Madness through services like YouTube TV and DIRECTV STREAM, which offer all the channels broadcasting the tournament. Both live TV services include CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV so you can catch all the games.

How can I watch the NCAA basketball tournament in 2024?

You can watch the NCAA basketball tournament in 2024 on various streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, and YouTube TV. These services offer channels such as CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV, which broadcast the games. Take note that Sling TV does not carry CBS.

Who is airing March Madness 2024?

March Madness 2024 is being aired on CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV. These channels will cover the entire tournament from the First Four through to the National Championship.

What streaming service is March Madness on?

March Madness is available on streaming services that include CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV in their channel lineup. These services include Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.

Can I watch March Madness on Max?

Yes, you can watch March Madness on Max through the Bleacher Report Sports add-on, which provides access to games aired on TNT, TBS, and truTV. However, for games broadcast on CBS, you would need to use another service or a TV antenna.

Can I watch March Madness on CBS with a TV antenna?

Yes, you can watch March Madness on CBS with a TV antenna. This allows you to watch any games broadcast on CBS for free, provided you have good signal reception in your area.

Is there a way to stream March Madness games on TBS for free?

Streaming March Madness games on TBS for free is challenging, but not entirely impossible. 

TBS does not offer a free streaming service. However, you can take advantage of free trials from streaming platforms like DIRECTV STREAM or YouTube TV that include TBS in their channel lineup to watch the games without a subscription for a limited time. 

March Madness 2023 Schedule & TV channels

This is the latest schedule of games, which will be updated throughout the NCAA tournament. All times Eastern.

Thursday, March 28

Arizona vs. Clemson – 7:09 p.m. (TBS)
UConn vs. San Diego State – 7:39 p.m. (CBS)
North Carolina vs. Alabama – 9:39 p.m. (CBS)
Iowa State vs. Illinois – 10:09 p.m. (TBS)

Friday, March 29

Marquette vs. NC State – 7:09 p.m. (CBS)
Purdue vs. Gonzaga – 7:39 p.m. (TBS)
Houston vs. Duke – 9:39 p.m. (CBS)
Tennessee vs. Creighton – 10:09 p.m. (TBS)

Saturday, March 30 – Elite Eight

TBD

Sunday, March 31

TBD

Saturday, April 6 – Final Four

TBD

Monday, April 8 – National Championship

TBD – 9:20 p.m. (CBS)

Recent Updates

March 23, 2024: Added the latest game schedule for Round of 32, and removed prior games.

March 24, 2024: Added the latest game schedule for Round of 32, and removed prior games.

March 28, 2024: Added the latest game schedule for latest rounds, and removed prior schedule.

Methodology

I spend hundreds of hours throughout the year conducting hands-on testing of streaming services, including Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV. I do the same rigorous testing for TV antennas and TV-related hardware. Check out the review policy to see how I compare products and services. The Cord Cutting Report is a reader-supported publication, and may earn affiliate commissions when you pick a streaming service through a recommendation. Read our affiliate policy for more information.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.