How to watch the Big Ten Network: Best options 2024

In the age of streaming, content is available anytime, anywhere — and that means if you want to watch the Big Ten Network, streaming is the way to go. With a streaming service, you don’t get locked into contracts, you can watch on your own terms, and it’s usually cheaper than cable. Plus, you can craft a streaming portfolio to suit your needs. Want to max out on sports? You can do that! 

If you’re wondering exactly how to stream the Big Ten Network, we’ll get right to it. Big Ten Network streaming can be done on just about every one of the major streaming services, so the options are vast. Let’s take a closer look.

What is the Big Ten Network?

The Big Ten Network is where you’ll find all the games for the Big Ten Conference — the oldest conference in collegiate sports. The current schools in the Big Ten Conference are Indiana University Bloomington, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University–New Brunswick, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Northwestern University, Purdue University and University of Wisconsin–Madison. 

The Big Ten Network, which can be accessed on many of your favorite live-streaming apps, will allow you to watch your favorite schools play live. You can also keep track of your favorite players, find out what the experts have to say throughout the season and follow the football teams through to bowl season.

Which streaming services offer Big Ten Network?

How to watch Big Ten Network with Sling TV (Our Preferred Service)

Sling TV has three options — Sling Orange, Sling Blue and Sling Orange & Blue. Sling Orange is $40 per month for 30-plus channels. Sling Blue is $45 per month for 40-plus channels. And Sling Orange & Blue is $55 per month for 45-plus channels. However, none of these actually includes the Big 10 Network. You’ll find that in the Sports Extra add-on for another $15 per month. 

What sports offerings does Sling TV provide? 

Sling TV channel packages only have a handful of sports offerings, including ESPN. Sling offers a few local channels and regional sports networks as well, but only in a very limited number of areas. For sports access, customers will need to get the Sports Extra add-on for another $15 per month. This package includes the Big Ten Network, ESPNU, the ACC Network and more. This is the best way to stream your favorite games and not miss a moment of the action. Though Sling TV is limited in its channel offerings, you can round out your sports viewing with the add-on — and it doesn’t break the bank if you tack it onto a Sling Orange package.

How to watch Big Ten Network with DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM packages offer subscribers 4 options. The Entertainment package runs $79.99 monthly for more than 75 channels. The Choice plan costs $108.99 per month and will get you over 105 channels. The Ultimate plan is $119.99 per month for more than 140 channels. And for $164.99 monthly, you can get the Premier plan with more than 150 channels.

DIRECTV STREAM offers unlimited simultaneous streams at home and unlimited cloud DVR storage. There are also plenty of channels for sports fans — especially if you get the Choice, Ultimate, or Premier package. You’ll need one of these three to access the Big Ten Network.

What sports offerings does DIRECTV STREAM provide?

DIRECTV STREAM viewers will need to choose Choice, Ultimate, or Premier for the maximum sports coverage (including Big Ten Network). This is also where you’ll find your regional sports networks. Sports fans can also watch local networks like ABC, CBS and NBC, as well as sports channels including ESPN and ESPNU. 

DIRECTV STREAM's channel list is a well-rounded one, especially once you get up to the Premier plan, though it does end up getting a bit pricey. But with all those channels and all that access, you’ll have access to the Bowl Championship Series, where hopefully your favorite Big Ten team will be playing.

How to watch Big Ten Network with Fubo

Fubo has three plans. For $79.99 per month, you can get the Pro plan with more than 160 channels. For $89.99 per month, you can get the Elite plan with more than 230 channels. For $99.99 per month, you can get the Ultimate plan with more than 280 channels. 

With your subscription, you’ll get 1,000 hours of DVR storage and simultaneous streams on up to ten screens at home. 

What sports offerings does Fubo provide? 

Fubo has plenty to offer sports fans, from local networks like ABC, CBS and NBC to regional sports networks like Bally Sports and AT&T SportsNet. Viewers can also find sports channels like ESPN, Motortrend, and, of course, the Big 10 Network. 

Where Fubo really shines is in its add-ons. Customers can truly tailor their viewing experience to the sports they love with the sports add-ons, which include MLB.TV, Sports Plus with NFL RedZone, International Sports Plus, NBA League Pass, Adventure Plus and Sports Lite. While these all cost extra each month, they pack in even more channels that feature your favorite sports and teams so you won’t miss any of the action.

How to watch Big Ten Network with Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV offers two packages — one with ads and one with no ads. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) costs $76.99 per month and Hulu + Live TV (no ads) costs $89.99 per month. Both have more than 90 channels and tons of on-demand content. Each of these streaming packages also include Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, which provide more on-demand content and more sports to watch.

What sports offerings does Hulu + Live TV provide? 

Hulu + Live TV doesn’t have quite as many channels as DIRECTV STREAM or Fubo but does have a good lineup with local channels and the top cable channels. While Hulu shines with its on-demand offerings, it doesn’t have as many regional sports networks as some others. It still does, however, have many nationwide sports channels like ESPN, ESPNU, FS1, FS2 and the Big Ten Network. 

If your sports interests extend beyond the usuals, though, Hulu plans offer a sports add-on that includes the Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel, so you can catch even more of what you like. It also includes NFL RedZone, FanDuel TV, FanDuel Racing and MAVTV. The add-on costs $9.99 per month.

How to watch Big Ten Network with YouTube TV

YouTube TV only has one plan and it’s $72.99 per month. That plan gets you over 100 channels to choose from, including plenty of sports options. You can add more, though — including NFL RedZone — and record them with your unlimited cloud DVR space.

What sports offerings does YouTube TV provide? 

YouTube TV has the expected local channels like ABC and NBC, as well as sports channels like ESPN and ESPNU. However, a major downside to YouTube TV is the lack of regional sports networks. YouTube TV only offers a few RSNs, largely the NBC Sports channels, so if you’re looking for regional games on other networks, you might be out of luck.

YouTube TV also has a sports-specific feature that lets viewers see stats during games, catch important plays, and see fantasy football stats — all during the action. These are all accessible during the games on your screen.

How to watch Big Ten Network on the app

You can watch the Big Ten Network on the Big Ten Plus app, which you can download for iPhone or Android. The app is free to download, but to access the Big Ten Network, it’ll cost you a monthly fee, which starts at $9.99. The app provides live games, as well as stats, team info, content about your favorite sports, and more. 

Big Ten Plus is supported on the following devices:

• Android phones or tablets
• iPhones or iPads
• Roku
• Firestick
• Apple TV
• Xbox

Is livestreaming Big Ten Network worth it? 

The advantage of streaming your sports is that generally speaking, you can tailor your viewing experience and watch what you want and leave out what you don’t want. If you want to watch Big Ten teams specifically, you can seek out a live streaming service that has the Big Ten Network and work around that — and that might just save you money in the end. So fire up that Big Ten Network stream and dive in!

FAQs

How can I watch Big Ten Network Plus for free?

You can download the Big Ten Plus app for free and access very limited games and events at no cost. However, a subscription is required for most games and coverage. Plans start at $9.95 per month.

What is BTN Plus?

BTN Plus is the Big 10 Network’s on-demand streaming subscription service. You can stream Big 10 games and view on-demand content with a subscription.

Can I stream every Big Ten game?

Big Ten Plus will let you stream all non-televised games. However, Big 10 games that are airing on the Big Ten Network can be watched on the streaming service of your choice.