The ultimate guide to streaming March Madness 2025
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Key takeaways
- March Madness 2025 starts with Selection Sunday on March 16 at 6 p.m. EST; First Four begins March 18; Final Four begins April 5.
- Hulu + Live TV is the only platform for streaming every single March Madness game without cable TV.
- The NCAA March Madness 2025 schedule is divided across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV; each network airs select games.
When does March Madness start?
March Madness starts on March 18 in Dayton, OH, in the UD Arena.
Where to watch March Madness online
Use Hulu + Live TV if you don’t want to miss a single March Madness match-up, or stream select games on platforms carrying CBS, TBS, TNT or truTV.
- Each of these four networks — CBS, TBS, TNT or truTV — are airing select March Madness games.
- CBS is broadcasting most of the tournament, including Sunday Selection, Final Four and the March Madness Championship game.
- In addition to Hulu + Live TV, you can stream March Madness on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, Max, YouTube TV, Sling TV or Fubo. Just keep in mind that each platform will only offer the games from the networks they carry.
- You can also stream all games with the official NCAA March Madness Live app (you must log in with your TV provider).
What streaming service has March Madness?
Each of these services is streaming March Madness 2025, but only the games from the networks they carry. Streaming providers that don’t include CBS will miss some of the tournament brackets and championship games.
| Streaming provider | Starting price | Streaming which March Madness games? |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99/mo. | All games |
| Paramount+ w/ SHOWTIME | $12.99/mo. | CBS games |
| Fubo TV | $59.99/mo. (first month) | CBS games |
| Max | $9.99/mo. | TBS, TNT, truTV games |
| Sling TV | $23/mo. (first month) | TBS, TNT, truTV games |
| YouTube TV | $69.99/mo. (first six months) | TBS, TNT, truTV games |
Is March Madness streaming free anywhere?
You can stream March Madness for free on your tablet, laptop, or phone as long as you have an internet connection and access to one of the streaming providers covering the tournament.
- While recommended streaming speeds vary by platform, a minimum of 5 Mbps is generally required for most services.
- This speed is typically available with even the most basic plans from top internet providers.
How to watch March Madness online
- Watch March Madness without cable: If you want to watch March Madness live without cable, a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME® subscription for $12.99/mo. is the cheapest option. (The Paramount+ Essentials plan does not include March Madness games.)
- Watch March Madness for free: Take advantage of trial periods from streaming services to watch part of March Madness for free.
- Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®: Seven-day free trial
- Hulu + Live TV: Three-day free trial
- YouTube TV: 10-day free trial
- Fubo TV: Seven-day free Trial
- March Madness live apps: Download the official apps for the networks broadcasting March Madness to watch games on-the-go. All CBS games are streamed live on Paramount+ (with SHOWTIME) and the CBS Sports app.
| Android | iPhone |
|---|---|
| CBS Sports | CBS Sports |
| TNT | TNT |
| TBS | TBS |
| truTV | truTV |
What internet speed do you need to stream March Madness?
To stream March Madness live, you need a minimum internet speed of 2–5 Mbps, depending on your streaming platform.
- Paramount+ needs a minimum of 2 Mbps.
- CBS Sports needs a minimum of 4 Mbps.
- TNT, TBS and truTV need a minimum of 5 Mbps.
Virtually any high-speed internet provider works for streaming March Madness. Watch March Madness online with all internet connection types, including cable, fiber, DSL or 5G. As long as you aren’t using dial-up internet, you can stream all the March Madness brackets.
What to consider when streaming March Madness
Don’t let internet technology stop you from watching March Madness. Find out how to optimize your home Wi-Fi plan this season.
Data caps
Internet plans with a data limit could be an issue for watching March Madness online due to high data usage.
- Satellite internet and fixed wireless plans are two connection types that often have a data threshold — exceeding your limit could result in extra charges or throttled speeds.
- If your plan has a data cap, check with your internet provider about additional data options or consider changing to an unlimited internet plan.
Reliability
For uninterrupted streaming while watching March Madness online, fiber or cable internet is the most reliable technology.
- Fiber is a single, dedicated internet connection that virtually eliminates buffering and offers equal upload and download speeds.
- Verizon Fios, AT&T and Frontier are a few companies that offer fiber internet.
- Cable internet (e.g., Spectrum or Xfinity) and 5G internet (e.g., T-Mobile, Verizon 5G) are shared connections, which may experience lag if there is network congestion in your area.
Wi-Fi range
If you’re having issues with slow Wi-Fi when streaming March Madness, these fixes can improve your speed instantly.
- Move your device closer to the modem.
- Add Wi-Fi extenders to boost the signal to the areas of your home with a weak connection.
- Temporarily disconnect other Wi-Fi devices from your home network.
- If you can’t connect to the internet at all, troubleshoot to fix Wi-Fi that is not working.
Final buzzer beater
There are plenty of ways to stream the March Madness 2025 tournament, whether you’re using Hulu + Live TV or combining other streaming platforms with select coverage. Check your internet speed and Wi-Fi connectivity ahead of time to ensure you don’t miss any games, and get ready for an exciting March Madness season.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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