The college football season is always eventful, and the Big Ten’s coast-to-coast lineup gives fans plenty to track. There are blowouts, record-setting games, injuries to critical players, and, inevitably, a few team issues. Hopefully your alma mater isn’t one of the latter, but regardless, you need to know how to watch it.
The conference also has one of the biggest media footprints in college sports. Its seven-year media-rights agreement runs through the 2029-30 academic year and spreads Big Ten games across several major broadcast and streaming partners.
Fortunately, you don’t need to keep every media deal straight on Saturday morning. Our guide breaks down the channels, streaming options, TV plans, and schedule resources you’ll need to watch Big Ten football throughout the season.
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What channels show Big Ten Conference football games?
Big Ten broadcasting rights are split among FOX Sports, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and Big Ten Network. Most conference-controlled games air on Big Ten Network, FOX, FS1, CBS, and NBC, while select matchups stream exclusively on Peacock. NBC games also stream on Peacock Premium, CBS games are available with Paramount+ Premium, and FOX’s college football coverage streams through FOX One.
Nonconference road games can land elsewhere because TV rights usually follow the home team or event. Depending on the matchup, you may also see Big Ten teams on ABC, ESPN networks, The CW, and other channels.
What schools are in the Big Ten football conference?
The Big Ten football conference has 18 teams, including USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, which joined in 2024. That means some conference road trips now stretch from the West Coast to the East Coast. Sheesh. But let’s not feel too bad – they asked for this cross-country opportunity.
Below is a list of all current Big Ten college football teams.
- Illinois Fighting Illini
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Maryland Terrapins
- Michigan Wolverines
- Michigan State Spartans
- Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Northwestern Wildcats
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Oregon Ducks
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Purdue Boilermakers
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- UCLA Bruins
- USC Trojans
- Washington Huskies
- Wisconsin Badgers
Where can I find the Big Ten football schedule?
Big Ten football schedules are released 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 Ten football TV plans
Big Ten watchers have a little more juggling to do than fans of some other conferences. The core TV package is spread across Big Ten Network, CBS, FOX, FS1, and NBC, while Peacock also carries exclusive games you won’t get from a traditional TV channel.
- Best provider for Big Ten fans: Hulu + Live TV remains our top pick for following the conference and matchups outside the Big Ten. It carries Big Ten Network, CBS, FOX, FS1, and NBC, plus other major college football channels. You’ll still need a separate Peacock subscription for Peacock-exclusive games.
- Best sports-focused option: DIRECTV MySports packs Big Ten Network, CBS, FOX, FS1, NBC, and other major sports channels into a plan built for fans rather than general entertainment. It’s a strong fit if your Saturdays revolve around more than one conference, but Peacock-exclusive games still require Peacock.
- Best budget option: Sling TV can save money if you’re willing to piece together your Big Ten setup. Sling Select with Sports Extra includes Big Ten Network and FS1, plus FOX and NBC in select markets. CBS isn’t available through Sling, so you’ll need an OTA antenna or Paramount+ Premium for those games, plus Peacock for its exclusives.
How to watch Big Ten Conference football FAQ
How can I watch Big Ten football for free?
An over-the-air antenna can pick up Big Ten games airing on CBS, FOX, and NBC for free, depending on your local stations. Streaming service free trials may also provide temporary access, but you'll need a paid Peacock subscription for its exclusive games.
Which streaming services carry Big Ten football?
Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, and DIRECTV carry many of the main channels for Big Ten football, including Big Ten Network and the major broadcast networks. No single live TV service covers every matchup because select games stream exclusively on Peacock.
Is Big Ten Network on Peacock?
No, Big Ten Network isn't included with Peacock. For BTN's live channel and college football coverage, FOX One is a better standalone streaming option because it includes Big Ten Network alongside FOX, FS1, and FS2.
Where can I stream Big Ten games on FOX and CBS?
FOX One streams college football carried on FOX, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network, while Paramount+ Premium streams Big Ten games airing on CBS. Those services can be useful if you prefer assembling your football coverage without a full live TV package.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com sports experts researched the Big Ten’s media-rights agreements and broadcast partners to determine where fans can watch conference football games. We then compared popular TV services based on Big Ten channel availability, pricing, features, and ease of use. From there, we selected the best ways to follow Big Ten football across broadcast TV and streaming.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
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