The Big 12 football conference has settled into its newest 16-team era, but “settled” is doing some work here. After years of realignment, the league now stretches from Arizona to West Virginia and down to UCF in Florida. More teams still equals more games — and more places to keep an eye on.
The TV side has evolved, too. The Big 12’s six-year media-rights extension with ESPN and FOX runs through the 2030–2031 academic year, while TNT Sports has since joined the football package through a separate sublicense agreement. That gives the conference a wide footprint across broadcast TV, cable, and streaming.
Fortunately, CableTV.com is here to make your football-viewing experience a breeze. Below, we’ve outlined the core TV and streaming options you’ll need to watch Big 12 football. We’ve also included the conference’s official schedule and a few ways to keep costs down along the way.
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What channels show Big 12 football games?
Big 12 broadcasting rights primarily belong to ESPN and FOX Sports, with TNT Sports also carrying an exclusive package of games. Most conference-controlled matchups appear across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, FOX, FS1, FS2, and TNT. TNT Sports games also stream on HBO Max, while Big 12 Now remains the conference’s branded hub for select events on ESPN+.
Things get messier once nonconference road games enter the picture. Those rights usually follow the home team or event, so a Big 12 program can pop up on CBS, NBC, The CW, or another channel outside the conference’s usual TV package.
Want radio coverage? Every Big 12 team offers game-day audio coverage through local affiliate networks. You can also tune in to Big 12 Radio for around-the-clock conference programming, while TuneIn Premium provides live Big 12 game audio.
What schools are in the Big 12 football conference?
The Big 12 football conference consists of 16 teams representing universities across the continental U.S. After its recent rounds of expansion, the league now showcases much wider geographic and competitive diversity.
Below is a list of all current Big 12 college football teams.
Where can I find the Big 12 football schedule?
The Big 12 releases its football schedule before the season, but many kickoff times and TV assignments aren’t finalized until closer to game day. Check the conference’s official schedule for the latest matchups, start times, and broadcast information.
Best Big 12 football TV plans
Having the right TV service is crucial for catching Big 12 football in action. Since games are divided among ESPN, FOX Sports, TNT Sports, and ESPN+ coverage, the best setup combines the main TV networks with access to Big 12 Now. Here are three viewing options we recommend for Big 12 fans.
- Editor’s choice: Hulu + Live TV is our top pick for watching Big 12 football. It combines ESPN and FOX Sports channels with TNT and local networks, while ESPN Unlimited access in the ESPN app covers ESPN+ content like Big 12 Now. It’s about as close as you’ll get to putting the conference’s scattered TV package under one roof.
- Best customizable value: Sling TV remains a budget-friendly way to build a Big 12 setup around the channels you actually need. Sling Orange & Blue covers much of the ESPN, FOX, and TNT lineup, while Sports Extra can fill in additional sports networks. Local-channel availability varies, and you’ll still need ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited for Big 12 Now games on ESPN+.
- Cheapest Big 12 streaming access: ESPN Select is the lowest-cost way to get Big 12 Now and other ESPN+ matchups. Unfortunately, it won’t get you games airing on the traditional ESPN networks, FOX Sports, or TNT Sports, so it’s best as a supplement rather than a complete Big 12 solution.
How can I watch Big 12 Conference football for free?
You can watch Big 12 Conference football games for free using any live TV streaming service that offers a free trial with ESPN and FOX Sports channels. Unfortunately, there’s no free way of watching ESPN+. But free Fubo and DIRECTV trials offer the core Big 12 channels.
You can also watch select games for free using an OTA antenna to pick up local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. These channels air occasional matchups involving Big 12 teams, including the Big 12 Championship Game. Head to our Best OTA Antennas page for a diverse lineup of antenna recommendations.
How to watch Big 12 Conference football FAQ
Who carries Big 12 football on TV now?
ESPN, FOX Sports, and TNT Sports carry Big 12 football under the conference's current media agreements. Nonconference matchups may also appear on other networks depending on the opponent and the home team's media rights.
Is Big 12 Now on ESPN+?
Yes, Big 12 Now is the conference's digital platform distributed through ESPN+ in the ESPN app. ESPN+ content is available through ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited, and the Big 12 Now hub also features baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and more.
Can you watch Big 12 football on YouTube TV?
Yes, YouTube TV carries many of the channels that show Big 12 football, including ABC, ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TNT. YouTube TV plans that include ESPN also come with ESPN Unlimited access, which adds ESPN+ content such as Big 12 Now.
Where can I watch the Big 12 Network?
The Big 12 Network no longer exists as a TV package. Today, conference games and programming are distributed across ESPN, FOX Sports, TNT Sports, and Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
Does the Big 12 have an app?
Yes, the official Big 12 app is available on iOS and Android. It features personalized team content, highlights, real-time updates, ticketing tools, and access to Big 12 Radio.
What channel is Big 12 Radio?
You can listen to the Big 12 Radio channel for free on TuneIn.com and the TuneIn app. After moving from SiriusXM ahead of the 2024 season, Big 12 Radio continues to offer around-the-clock conference coverage, including weekday sports talk and live game-day programming.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched the Big 12’s media rights and current TV and streaming distribution. He then compared popular viewing options based on channel availability, pricing, features, and ease of use. From there, Taylor selected practical recommendations for fans who want broad Big 12 coverage without paying for more than they need.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
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