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It’s March, which means March Madness is once again in full swing. As such, many avid basketball fans are wondering how to watch March Madness 2019. Thankfully, there are many methods for watching NCAA March Madness games using over-the-air (OTA) antennas, streaming, and more. Learn how to watch March Madness without cable!
How to Watch March Madness 2019: What Channels are the NCAA Tournament on?
Before getting into how to watch the NCAA tournament online and via OTA methods, let’s look at what channels are the NCAA tournament games on. The NCAA tournament is split into the first round, second round, Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four, and NCAA Championship Game. Plus, there are a few play in games to compete in the round of 64. Networks for games vary, but all games will be shown on CBS, TNT, TBS, or truTV.
What channels are the NCAA tournament games shown on:
- CBS
- TBS
- TNT
- truTV
The First Four are on truTV, with the first and second rounds split between CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. CBS and TBS retain exclusive rights to the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight, while the Final Four and 2019 NCAA Championship will air on CBS.
NCAA March Madness 2019 important dates:
- First Four: Tuesday, March 19, 2019-March 20, 2019
- First Round: Thursday, March 21-22, 2019
- Second Round: Saturday, March 23-24, 2019
- Sweet Sixteen: March 28-29, 2019
- Elite Eight: March 30-31, 2019
- Final Four: April 6, 2019
- National Championship Game: April 8, 2019
How to Stream March Madness 2019 Free and Paid Options
There are several means of watching NCAA tournament games online using a computer, mobile device, or streaming set-top box.
NCAA March Madness Live
Among the best methods for streaming march Madness 2019 without cable, there’s the NCAA March Madness Live app for iOS and Android. There’s even an Android TV app for the likes of the Nvidia Shield TV. You’ll be able to stream all 67 NCAA March Madness 2019 games across TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV. Unfortunately for Android TV users, CBS games aren’t available.
While you can mostly watch March Madness 2019 games for free, there’s a slight catch. You’ll only be able to view three hours of games before a required login. Then, you’ll have to authenticate with a cable, satellite, or streaming service. While several cord cutting platforms boast TNT, CBS, TBS, and truTV, only three of these sport compatibility with the NCAA March Madness Live app: Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, and PlayStation Vue. Once you authenticate, you can stream games from TBS, TNT, and truTV.
Hulu Live TV
Because of its inclusion of Hulu on-demand streaming as well as its live TV offering, Hulu Live TV is easily one of the top cable alternatives on the market. Hulu is worth the price for “Handmaid’s Tale” alone in fact. Since Hulu with Live TV features CBS, TBS, truTV, and TNT, you’ll have access to every game of the 2019 NCAA tournament. It’s compatible with the NCAA March Madness Live app, runs on a variety of platforms such as Android, iOS, Android TV, Roku, and Apple TV, touts an impressive DVR, and offers optional premium add-ons like HBO, Showtime, STARZ, and Cinemax.
YouTube TV
Likewise, YouTube is a fantastic option for cutting the cord. You’ll be able to stream CBS, TNT, truTV, and TBS. YouTube TV offers authentication for the NCAA March Madness Live app, and there’s a solid DVR. With companion apps for Android, iOS, Roku, Apple TV, and more, YouTube TV runs on a bevy of devices.
PlayStation Vue
Easily among the most comprehensive cable alternative apps, PlayStation Vue has a superb channel lineup. Whereas Hulu Live TV and YouTube T only include a single package, PS Vue comes in several tiers. It’s a bit pricey, and which local stations such as CBS, are available depends on the market. As such, some users may not have access to local CBS affiliates. Still, with PlayStation Vue apps on Android TV, Apple TV, Android, iOS, and other devices, a beefy DVR, and lush user interface, PS Vue rocks. There’s even a Kodi PS Vue add-on, a neat inclusion for Kodi media center buffs.
Fubo TV
For sports fans, Fubo TV is a fantastic option. You;ll be able to watch live March Madness 2019 matchups on CBS, TNT, truTV, and TNT. As per industry standard, there’s a DVR for recording games for later viewing, and Fubo runs on iOS, Android, smart TVs, Apple TV, Android TV, PCs, and more.
Sling TV
A solid budget pick, Sling TV includes TBS, TNT, and truTV. CBS may be found in select areas, and it’s one of the cheapest over-the-top streaming cable replacement services you can find. There are two tiers, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, as well as a combined Orange and Blue package.
CBS All Access
If you only need CBS, you can subscribe to CBS All Access. This is a cost-effective method for streaming March Madness 2019 online without cable. Aside from the 2019 NCAA Tournament, you’ll be able to watch CBS hit series including “NCIS: New Orleans.”
How to Watch March Madness 2019 for Free: OTA Antennas
Since many games fall on CBS, you can wach these for free with an OTA antenna. Mohu , Antennas Direct, and a slew of other manufacturers let you easily watch March Madness 2019 games for free over-the-air. This doesn’t help with truTV, TNT, or TBS however, but it could supplement streaming services which don’t have a CBS affiliate in your market. Moreover, with the likes of Plex and Emby, you can stream and record live TV.
What Streaming Device Should You Use for Watching NCAA March Madness 2019 Games?
There are tons of devices for watching 2019 NCAA Tournament games. PCs, mobile devices like Android and iOS phones and tablets, Android TV streamers, the Apple TV, Roku, and smart TVs work. Which you’ll need depends on which app you’re using. Thankfully, most streaming services feature apps for major platforms.
I recommend the Nvidia Shield TV, which is the best streaming device for movies, TV, and gaming. Roku has a solid lineup as well. You can connect pretty much any phone or tablet to your TV as well for streaming NCAA March Madness games on the big screen.
How to Watch March Madness Online Abroad: VPN Streaming Options
Unfortunately, most streaming services are region locked, meaning you’ll need to be in the United States to watch games online. But you can stream March Madness games abroad with a VPN or smart DNS service.
- NordVPN
- Express VPN
- VPN Unlimited
- Ivacy VPN
- TigerVPN
- FastestVPN
- Zoog VPN
- VPNSecure
- RA4W VPN
- Avira Phantom
- Windscribe
- HideMyAss!
- GetFlix Smart DNS
How to Stream March Madness 2019 without cable: Final Buzzer
Cord cutters benefit from loads of means to watch March Madness 2019 online, with an OTA antenna, or a combination of the two. Which option you pick depends on your budget, channel preferences, and device delivery. Personally, I’m using YouTube TV and a combination of the Nvidia Shield TV as well as the NCAA March Madness Live app on my Samsung Galaxy S9+ and Galaxy Tab 10.1 2014 Edition.
How are you watching the 2019 NCAA tournament?
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