How to watch March Madness Round 1: Schedule and matchups

Where to watch March Madness Round 1 in 2025

Six different networks will carry the electric March Madness action — four for the men’s tournament and two for the women’s bracket. You can find the men’s games on TBS, TNT, truTV and CBS, while ESPN’s networks and ABC will carry the women’s games:

Watch March Madness Round 1 on Sling TV and get 50% off your first month

Watch March Madness Round 1 with Sling TV, a budget-friendly option for catching all the bracket matchups. Sling Blue has most of the Men’s March Madness action on TBS, TNT, and truTV, while Sling Orange will carry the women’s tournament on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and (in some markets) ABC.

Although Sling Orange also includes TBS and TNT, you’ll want to upgrade to Sling Orange & Blue to get most of the action for both tournaments. Unfortunately, Sling doesn’t offer CBS or regional sports networks (RSNs).

Watch the March Madness First Round action on DIRECTV STREAM with a 5-day free trial

With DIRECTV STREAM, you won't miss a moment of 2025 March Madness action. You can even watch most games with only the basic Entertainment plan. That plan comes loaded with TBS, TNT, truTV, ESPN, ABC and CBS, plus ESPN2 and Fox Sports 1 (FS1).

Our recommendation for March Madness with DIRECTV STREAM is the Choice plan. This package includes several extra national sports networks plus RSNs for your local market. Get even more college action on channels like ACCN, Big Ten Network, ESPNU and SEC Network.

Watch on Hulu + Live TV with a 3-day free trial and get access to the First Round Madness

Hulu + Live TV is the second of three platforms that will feature every March Madness Round 1 game for both the men’s and women’s tournaments. It’s also a bargain if you want all your live TV and on-demand entertainment in one place. A Hulu + Live TV subscription gives you over 95 channels and full access to ESPN Plus and Disney Plus. Plus, there is a Hulu free trial workaround that will give you access to ESPN Plus and Disney Plus for free if you bundle them when selecting your trial plan.

The biggest downside of Hulu + Live TV is its lack of RSNs. However, with over a dozen major sports networks, it offers extensive coverage of national and international events. You can keep up with some of the hottest action across networks like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, NFL Network, SEC Network, TBS, TNT and truTV, plus plenty of extra live and on-demand sports content on ESPN Plus. 

Watch the First Round action on YouTubeTV with a 7-day free trial

YouTube TV is one of your top options for watching every March Madness matchup. You can keep up with both the Men's and Women's NCAA tournaments here and have one of the best overall channel lineups available. YouTube TV’s base plan features over 100 of the top sports, news, and entertainment channels.

While YouTube TV doesn’t offer RSNs, you’ll get channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, NFL Network, TBS, TNT, TruTV, SEC Network, NBA TV and more. It also features one of the best lineups of sports add-ons and unlimited cloud DVR storage, so you won't miss a moment of court-side action.

Watch the First Round on Max: The B/R Sports add-on is now included with all Max plans

While most full live TV streaming service providers are the preferable option for catching the First Round of March Madness, Max now includes B/R Sports with all Max Plans, which will offer select March Madness 2025 coverage. 

This extra perk will get you access to some of the top live action from the NCAA men’s tournament on TBS, TNT and truTV. B/R Sports also features games from the NHL, MLB, NBA and U.S. Soccer for a value-add as we move into the NHL and NBA playoff season.

Watch the March Madness First Round on Paramount Plus with a 7-day or 30-day free trial

You read that right. In 2025, Paramount Plus now offers a 7-day or 30-day free trial for eligible, first-time subscribers. 

Don't let streaming service prices dunk on your budget. With Paramount Plus, you can enjoy all the March Madness action live on CBS Sports and stream every game on Paramount+ with the SHOWTIME package—at no cost due to the 30-day free trial.

Remember to set a reminder 28-29 days from when you subscribe so you don't get charged the full amount! 

How to watch on ESPN Plus - no free trial, but a premium spot for catching the March Madness NCAA Women's Tournament

If you want to keep up with March Madness Round 1 on the women’s side — along with tons of other live pro and college sports — ESPN Plus is an excellent option. ESPN’s over-the-top platform includes coverage of many games from the women’s tournament, along with exclusive extra coverage and replays. 

ESPN Plus will show the Final Four and the Championship round of the Men's NCAA 2025 March Madness, but Disney doesn't have the rights to stream the majority of the Men's March Madness matchups.

FAQ

How can I watch the 2025 March Madness First Round on TV?

The First Round of March Madness 2025 will be broadcast on a mix of CBS, truTV, TNT, and TBS. Check the listings here for your game times and network for the matchup you want to watch. If you don't have cable TV, a streaming service like Sling TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV offer these channels, so you can stream the action on any smart device.

What's the cheapest way to watch March Madness Round 1 in 2025?

There is a slim chance you've used up all your free trials for DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, and Paramount Plus — all of these streaming providers can give you access to a multitude of games in the First Round. Plus, Sling TV has 50% off your first month, and with the Sling Blue add-on, you can catch the hype of the First Round on a budget-friendly streaming platform. 

Is March Madness on Paramount Plus?

Paramount Plus includes your local CBS station if you opt for the Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME plan. There is an extended Paramount Plus free trial for 7-days or 30-days, so you can get through most of 2025 March Madness coverage without spending a dime.

Can I watch March Madness in 2025 for free?

With a broadcast antenna, you can watch any March Madness games on ABC and CBS for free. Check to see which live TV streaming services have free trials you are eligible for so you can catch a significant portion (or entirety with the Paramount Plus free trial) of the tournament before committing to a paid subscription.