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Viewing Guide tournament

How to Watch March Madness

Complete guide to watching the NCAA Basketball Tournament, including bracket coverage, streaming options, and tournament format.

TV Networks

CBS
TBS
TNT
truTV

Streaming Services

Paramount+
March Madness Live
Hulu + Live TV
YouTube TV

Schedule Information

Dates

Mid-March to early April

Times

Games begin 12:00 PM EST

Time Zone

Eastern Time

What You Need to Know

1

68-team single elimination tournament

2

Four different networks share coverage

3

First Four games start the tournament

4

Final Four and Championship on CBS

5

March Madness Live offers all games

March Madness captures the essence of American college sports through three weeks of single-elimination basketball that creates legends and breaks hearts in equal measure. The tournament's unpredictable nature and David vs. Goliath storylines make it one of sports' most compelling events.

Multi-Network Coverage

The tournament spreads across four Turner and CBS networks, with CBS handling the Final Four and Championship game. TBS, TNT, and truTV share earlier round coverage, ensuring continuous game coverage throughout tournament days. Each network brings unique broadcasting styles while maintaining consistent tournament atmosphere.

March Madness Live

The official streaming platform provides access to every tournament game across all networks. Free with cable authentication, the service offers multiple viewing options including whip-around coverage during busy tournament days when multiple games occur simultaneously.

Bracket Culture

March Madness transcends basketball through bracket competitions that engage millions of casual fans. Office pools, online contests, and family competitions create investment in games featuring unfamiliar teams. This cultural phenomenon extends the tournament's reach far beyond traditional basketball audiences.

Cinderella Stories

The single-elimination format creates opportunities for dramatic upsets. Lower-seeded teams can eliminate powerhouse programs, creating instant legends and memorable moments. These Cinderella runs capture public imagination and demonstrate college basketball's competitive depth.

Regional Coverage

The tournament's regional format creates natural storylines and local interest. Teams represent their universities, states, and regions, generating passionate fan support that creates incredible atmosphere for television viewers and arena attendees alike.

March Madness showcases college basketball at its most intense and unpredictable, combining athletic excellence with educational institution pride in a format that rewards preparation, execution, and a bit of luck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q How can I watch all March Madness games?

March Madness Live (free with cable login) and Paramount+ offer access to all tournament games across all networks. You can also use streaming services that carry CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.

Q What is Selection Sunday?

Selection Sunday is when the 68-team tournament bracket is revealed on CBS. It typically occurs the Sunday before the tournament begins.

Q How does the tournament format work?

The tournament features 68 teams in single elimination format across six rounds: First Four, First Round, Second Round, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and Championship.