🏀 March Madness: The Ultimate Guide to Streaming the Games 🎉
For Some, it's Spring; For Others, it's March Madness How to Stream Your Favorite College Basketball Team's Games
Watching March Madness 2024 Top Streaming Picks
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It’s that time of the year again when basketball fans huddle around their screens, cheering for their favorite teams and eagerly watching the drama unfold on the court. That’s right, it’s March Madness! 🏀🎉
March Madness is college basketball’s championship series, and it’s wildly popular in the United States. According to one study, a whopping 33% of Americans tune in to watch March Madness every year. That’s a staggering number! And with the American Gaming Association estimating that $2.72 billion will be bet on the 2024 tournaments, it’s clear that this event is not just a sporting spectacle, but also a cultural phenomenon. 💸💰
But how can you ensure that you catch all the action? With a field of 68 teams playing in 14 different arenas and stadiums, it’s impossible to see all the games in person, even if you had a jet plane! Luckily, there are plenty of streaming options available to satisfy your basketball cravings. So grab your favorite snacks, get comfortable on the couch, and let’s dive into the world of March Madness streaming! 🍿🎮
đź’ˇ The Basics: What You Need to Know
Before we explore the streaming options, let’s cover the basics of March Madness:
- When does it start? March Madness kicks off on March 19th with the Men’s First Four and on March 20th with the Women’s First Four.
- Where can you watch it? The men’s tournament will be shown on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, while the women’s tournament will air on ESPN’s networks.
- Do you need cable or streaming TV? While you can watch some CBS games over the air, most games require satellite, cable, or a streaming TV subscription.
- What if you follow multiple teams? If you’re a die-hard fan and follow multiple teams, consider getting a DVR service to ensure you don’t miss any overlapping games. It’s a lead-pipe cinch that two or more of your teams will play simultaneously!
đź“ş Where to Stream March Madness Games
Now, let’s dive into the various streaming options available for March Madness. We’ll explore the pros and cons of each service, so you can find the one that suits your needs:
1. Paramount+ – Inexpensive but limited
- Pros: Inexpensive
- Cons: Only offers CBS games
If you’re on a budget and only interested in watching the CBS games, Paramount+ might be the perfect option for you. However, there’s a catch: you can only access the games with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, which costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. Don’t worry, though; even though the games are shown live, you’ll still have commercials to keep you company.
2. Max – Decent choice for the men’s tournament
- Pros: Inexpensive
- Cons: Only offers the Turner network games
Max, formerly known as HBO Max, could be a solid option for catching the men’s tournament. With the free B/R sports add-on, you can watch games on TNT, TBS, and truTV. Max offers three plans ranging from $9.99 to $19.99 per month, depending on whether you want ads, 4K content, or multiple streams.
3. Hulu with Live TV – Great DVR but comes with a higher price tag
- Pros: Great DVR
- Cons: Pricier
If you’re looking for a combination of on-demand video and live TV, Hulu with Live TV is a solid choice. For $83 per month, you get access to your local CBS channel, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Plus, you’ll also enjoy the added bonus of Disney+ and ESPN+ bundled in. Another perk is the unlimited cloud DVR storage, allowing you to store an unlimited number of videos for up to nine months.
4. DirecTV Stream – Excellent DVR and multi-device support
- Pros: Excellent DVR and great multi-device support
- Cons: Expensive
Previously known as AT&T TV, AT&T TV Now, and DirecTV Now, DirecTV Stream offers a package that includes CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, starting at $79.99 per month. If you’re a fan of women’s games and your favorite team is playing on ESPN or ESPN2, the $108.99 DirecTV Stream Choice package is perfect for you. With DirecTV Stream, you can enjoy up to 20 streaming devices simultaneously and store your favorite games in the generous unlimited cloud DVR storage.
5. Sling TV – Inexpensive but choose your mix carefully
- Pros: Inexpensive
- Cons: Choosing the right mix of services can be complicated
Sling TV stands out from its competitors with its à la carte approach to channels. You can choose between the Blue and Orange packages, each costing $40 per month, or get both for $55. While the Blue package offers TBS, TNT, and truTV, you’ll need the Orange package to access the main ESPN channels and women’s tournament. Don’t forget to add the Sports Extra package for the less well-known ESPN channels. With Sling TV, you’ll get 50 hours of free cloud DVR storage, and the Blue package allows for three simultaneous streams.
6. YouTube TV – Extensive channel lineup with an excellent DVR
- Pros: Excellent DVR
- Cons: The ever-increasing price
If you want access to a wide range of popular channels, including CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, YouTube TV might be your best bet. For $72.99 per month, you can enjoy over 100 channels and record as many shows as you like with their outstanding DVR service. YouTube TV offers additional add-ons, such as the 4K Plus plan, which allows for unlimited streams at home and 4K video.
7. FuboTV – Not the ideal choice for March Madness
- Pros: Other sports coverage
- Cons: Not the right service for March Madness
While FuboTV is known for its extensive sports coverage, it falls short when it comes to March Madness streaming. The starter plan, FuboTV Pro, doesn’t offer TBS, TNT, and truTV. To catch every game of the NCAA Women’s March Madness, you’ll need the Fubo Elite package for $85 per month, which includes ESPNews and ESPNU.
đź“… The Schedule: Mark Your Calendars!
Now that you know where to stream the games, let’s have a look at the schedule for both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments:
Men’s Tournament: – Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 17 – First Four: March 19 and March 20 – First round: March 21 and March 22 – Second round: March 23 and March 24 – Sweet 16: March 28 and March 29 – Elite Eight: March 30 and March 31 – Final Four: Saturday, April 6, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona – NCAA championship game: Monday, April 8, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
Women’s Tournament: – Selection Sunday: March 17 – First Four: March 20 and March 21 – First round: March 22 and March 23 – Second round: March 24 and March 25 – Sweet 16: March 29 and March 30 – Elite Eight: March 31 and April 1 – Final Four: Friday, April 5, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio – NCAA championship game: Sunday, April 7, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio
âť“ Q&A: Your Burning Questions
Now, let’s address some additional topics that you might find interesting or have concerns about:
Q: Can I stream the games from outside the US with a VPN? A: While streaming March Madness from outside the US might require a virtual private network (VPN), it’s worth noting that streaming rights differ in each country. TSN is the go-to network for Canadians, while UK viewers can catch the games on Sky Sports. Remember to choose a reliable VPN service like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or SurfShark VPN for seamless streaming.
Q: Can I stream March Madness for free? A: Unfortunately, streaming March Madness for free is a bit challenging. The NCAA’s March Madness Live site and app allow paid TV subscribers to watch games, while free users get a three-hour preview with ads. So, you might be able to catch part of a game, but a full free streaming experience is unlikely.
Q: What is the cheapest way to stream the games? A: If you’re looking for the most cost-effective streaming option for the Men’s tournament, subscribe to Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and Max for a total cost of $21.98. For the Women’s tournament, Sling TV’s Orange package is the cheapest option at $40 per month, plus the Sports Extra package for $11. These choices offer a more affordable long-term solution compared to introductory offers.
Q: Will the March Madness games be in 4K? A: Unfortunately, the games won’t be available in 4K this year. We’ll have to wait for future tournaments to experience the excitement of March Madness in glorious 4K.
đź”® The Future of March Madness
As March Madness continues to captivate basketball fans around the nation, it’s clear that the streaming landscape for sports is evolving rapidly. With the popularity of streaming services on the rise and the demand for seamless, high-quality sports experiences, we can expect future tournaments to push boundaries and offer even more dynamic streaming options. Whether it’s 4K streaming, interactive fan experiences, or innovative social media integrations, March Madness is likely to deliver surprises both on and off the court.
So, get ready for a month filled with buzzer-beaters, upsets, and unforgettable moments. Mark your calendars, choose your streaming service, and may the Madness begin!
🎉🏀 Share this article with your friends and fellow basketball enthusiasts to spread the March Madness fever! And don’t forget to follow us on social media for more exciting content and updates. Let the games begin! 🏀🎉
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