Watching the entire NCAA men’s basketball tournament without a cable subscription can be challenging, as it requires access to CBS, TNT, TBS, and TruTV. Three of these channels typically require a paid TV package, adding unwanted channels and increasing your monthly bill. However, with a bit of resourcefulness, you can watch much of March Madness, possibly even every game, for free, without resorting to piracy.
Paramount+A Paramount+ subscription offers a way to stream CBS’s March Madness games.
Free CBS Games: Over-the-Air Antenna or Paramount+
If you have good over-the-air reception, a TV antenna is a fantastic option for watching CBS games for free. Check out our recommendations for the best TV antennas.
Alternatively, a Paramount+ Premium subscription grants access to all March Madness games aired on CBS. While the service usually costs $12 per month for the live CBS feed, you can often find monthly coupon codes for a free subscription, even if you’ve subscribed before. Visit the Paramount+ website and use codes like PINKLADIES, QUEEN, RABBITHOLE, or SCHOOLSPIRITS at checkout. For detailed instructions on redeeming these codes and avoiding charges after the free trial, see our TechHive column.
TNT, TBS, and TruTV: Exploiting the March Madness App Preview
March Madness Live on Fire TVThe NCAA March Madness Live app offers a three-hour preview per device.
Games airing on TNT, TBS, and TruTV typically require a cable package. The most affordable streaming bundle with all three is Sling TV Blue, at $40 per month. However, the official March Madness Live app and website offer a free three-hour preview for all games, without requiring login. This also includes CBS games, but only on iOS and Android devices.
Paramount+ Overview
Paramount+
- Price When Reviewed: Essential: $5.99/mo or $59.99/year; Premium (no ads, plus live local CBS broadcasts): $11.99/mo or $119.99/year; with Showtime: $11.99/mo or $119.99/year
- Best Prices Today: $5.99 at Paramount+
Extending Your Free Preview: Clever Tricks
While three hours might seem insufficient, each device receives its own three-hour preview. This allows for some strategic maneuvering to maximize your free viewing time:
- Browser Hopping: On computers, each browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi, Brave, Safari) provides a new preview window. While native Chromecast isn’t supported, tab mirroring works.
March Madness Live on the webUsing multiple web browsers can extend your free preview time.
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Mobile Devices: The March Madness Live app on iOS and Android phones and tablets each offers a separate preview. Note that AirPlay and Chromecast are blocked.
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Streaming Devices: Install the app on Roku, Fire TV, Android TV/Google TV, Apple TV, Xbox, Samsung TVs, and LG TVs for individual previews.
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Advanced Tactics: Uninstalling and reinstalling the app, or even factory resetting your device (as a last resort), can sometimes reset the preview timer.
This method might not be ideal for watching every game, but it’s perfect for catching key upsets and important matchups.
Free Trials: Another Option
A free trial of a live TV streaming service is another possibility. YouTube TV offers a two-week free trial (requires a Google account). Remember to cancel before billing begins. Other providers have discontinued free trials, likely to prevent this tactic. Sling TV, a viable alternative for TNT, TBS, and TruTV, offers half off the first month, costing $20.
Conclusion: Balancing Cost and Convenience
While these methods require more effort than a paid TV subscription, they offer significant cost savings for those primarily interested in the games themselves. The easier cord-cutting becomes, the less money it typically saves. These workarounds provide a balance between convenience and cost savings for budget-conscious March Madness fans. Learn more about cutting the cord and saving money on your TV bill by signing up for our Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter. For additional ways to watch March Madness without cable, click here.
