Where to Watch Men's March Madness in the United States
In the United States, the Men's NCAA Division I Basketball Championship, commonly called March Madness, is broadcast primarily on CBS and TBS, with streaming available on Paramount+ and Max. The selection show airs on CBS, while first and second round games typically air on TBS, truTV, and TNT, with the national semifinals and championship on CBS. Regional games may appear on local over-the-air stations affiliated with CBS or through digital subchannels. This guide explains the primary channels, streaming apps, and how to confirm local listings so you can reliably follow your team.
Over-the-air and cable overview
The core telecasts are produced by NCAA Productions and distributed to partner networks. In most years, the main package is shared among CBS Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, with specific windows assigned to each network. For fans, the simplest path is to check your local CBS affiliate for regional games and tune to TBS or CBS for national windows. Streaming services that carry these networks provide alternative access when you cannot watch live television.
Primary channels and streaming platforms
| Network or Platform | Typical Role in March Madness | Streaming Home |
|---|---|---|
| CBS | Selection Show, national semifinals, championship | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME or Live TV add-on |
| TBS | First and second rounds, national semifinals in some years | Max (Discovery+) or Live TV add-on |
| TNT / truTV | First and second rounds | Max (Discovery+) |
| Local CBS affiliates | Regional games | Network apps or Paramount+ with local access |
How to confirm your local channel
Because regional assignments rotate and depend on your market, always check the official NCAA or broadcaster listings in the days before tip-off. A ZIP-code lookup on the NCAA website or your network provider’s guide will show which local station holds the regional rights. If your cable package includes CBS and TBS, you should have access to all games; otherwise consider adding a live TV streaming service that includes those networks to avoid missing key matchups.
Key details at a glance
- Selection Show: CBS
- Early rounds: TBS, truTV, TNT
- Semifinals and championship: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+ (CBS), Max (TBS/TNT/truTV)
- Local games: Check your CBS affiliate via ZIP lookup
Official resources
For the most accurate and current information, visit the NCAA’s official March Madness TV schedule and your cable or live TV streaming provider’s channel guide. These sources list exact dates, times, and network assignments for each game, helping you plan viewing across multiple devices.
By following the official broadcasters and using the listed streaming options, you can reliably watch every game of Men's March Madness regardless of how your television setup is configured.