Big Ten Network (BTN) has been a go-to channel for college sports fans since it went on air in 2007. Part of the Fox Sports family, BTN covers a wide range of Big Ten Conference sports, including football, basketball, softball, and soccer. In fact, I rely on it regularly to keep up with Wisconsin Badgers athletics. (On, Wisconsin!)
You can watch BTN through most major TV providers. And thanks to a 2017 media rights agreement, the network’s future is secure through at least 2032. Just note that not all Big Ten games air on BTN. Some appear on FOX, CBS, and NBC channels, while others stream on B1G+, a standalone service that doesn’t include the main BTN channel.
In this guide, you’ll find BTN channel numbers for over 50 U.S. cities across top TV providers like DIRECTV, DISH, Spectrum, and Xfinity. Whether you’re tuning in for primetime football or your school’s wrestling phenom, I’ll help you get BTN on TV no matter where you are.
What channel is Big Ten Network on near me?
Big Ten Network is available nationwide through most cable and satellite TV providers. But channel numbers vary depending on your location and provider. To help you quickly find BTN in your area, I’ve created a comprehensive table below that shows which TV services offer the channel in 50+ U.S. cities.
If your city isn’t listed, or you’re still unsure which channel BTN is on in your area, you can try the official Big Ten Network Channel Finder. Or, keep scrolling to explore TV providers that carry the network.
Big Ten Network channel numbers in major U.S. cities
| City | Cox channel | DIRECTV channel | DISH channel | Optimum channel | Spectrum channel | Xfinity channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 272 |
| Anchorage, AK | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | — |
| Atlanta, GA | — | 610 | 410 | — | 324 | 297 |
| Austin, TX | — | 610 | 410 | — | 382 | — |
| Bakersfield, CA | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | — |
| Baltimore, MD | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 715 |
| Boston, MA | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 269 |
| Bronx, NY | — | 610 | 410 | 247 | 382 | — |
| Brooklyn, NY | — | 610 | 410 | 247 | 382 | — |
| Buffalo, NY | — | 610 | 410 | — | 382 | — |
| Charlotte, NC | — | 610 | 410 | — | 382 | — |
| Chicago, IL | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 52 |
| Cincinnati, OH | — | 610 | 410 | — | 60 | — |
| Cleveland, OH | 62 | 610 | 410 | — | 32 | — |
| Colorado Springs, CO | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 181 |
| Columbus, OH | — | 610 | 410 | — | 58 | — |
| Dallas, TX | — | 610 | 410 | — | 307 | — |
| Denver, CO | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 410 |
| Detroit, MI | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 65 |
| El Paso, TX | — | 610 | 410 | — | 382 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 742 |
| Fort Worth, TX | — | 610 | 410 | — | 307 | — |
| Fresno, CA | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 403 |
| Honolulu, HI | — | 610 | 410 | — | 248 | — |
| Houston, TX | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 123 |
| Indianapolis, IN | — | 610 | 410 | — | 61 | 57 |
| Jacksonville, FL | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 742 |
| Kansas City, MO | — | 610 | 410 | — | 382 | — |
| Las Vegas, NV | 312 | 610 | 410 | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | — | 610 | 410 | — | 382 | — |
| Louisville, KY | — | 610 | 410 | — | 527 | — |
| Memphis, TN | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 651 |
| Miami, FL | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 742 |
| Milwaukee, WI | — | 610 | 410 | — | 63 | — |
| Minneapolis, MN | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 27 |
| Nashville, TN | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 706 |
| New Orleans, LA | 703 | 610 | 410 | — | — | — |
| New York, NY | — | 610 | 410 | 247 | 382 | — |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 280 | 610 | 410 | — | — | — |
| Orlando, FL | — | 610 | 410 | — | 809 | 742 |
| Philadelphia, PA | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 715 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 320 | 610 | 410 | — | — | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 72 |
| Portland, OR | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 403 |
| Sacramento, CA | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 403 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 403 |
| San Antonio, TX | — | 610 | 410 | — | 382 | — |
| San Diego, CA | 68/313 | 610 | 410 | — | 382 | — |
| San Francisco, CA | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 403 |
| San Jose, CA | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 403 |
| Seattle, WA | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 404 |
| St. Louis, MO | — | 610 | 410 | — | 81 | — |
| St. Paul, MN | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 57 |
| Tampa, FL | — | 610 | 410 | — | 809 | 742 |
| Tucson, AZ | 320 | 610 | 410 | — | — | 272 |
| Washington, DC | — | 610 | 410 | — | — | 715 |
Data effective as of post date.
Get Big Ten Network with cable or satellite TV
If you prefer traditional TV—or it’s your only option—you’re in luck. Most cable and satellite providers carry Big Ten Network. Many also offer the Big Ten Network Alternate channels, which come in handy on busy weekends when games overlap.
Below, I’ve rounded up details on seven top cable and satellite providers that include BTN in their lineups.
| Provider | Price | Big Ten Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $91.99–$121.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Optimum | $30.00–$160.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$105.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ |
Read Xfinity review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Get Big Ten Network with a live TV streaming service
Following your favorite teams without cable is pretty easy because Big Ten Network is widely available on live TV streaming services. Just know that you won’t find the channel on lower-cost options like Frndly TV or Philo, which don’t prioritize sports.
Personally, I recommend Hulu + Live TV for watching Big Ten Network. I even named it the Best of the Best for College Sports in my Best Sports Streaming Services guide, thanks to its deep lineup of must-have channels like BTN, ESPN, FS1, and local networks. It also includes ESPN+, which streams thousands of exclusive sports events every year.
| Provider | Price | Big Ten Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV STREAM | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Sling TV | $45.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What’s on Big Ten Network?
Big Ten Network airs dozens of football games each season, along with in-depth coverage of men’s and women’s basketball. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
As a Wisconsin Badgers fan, I’m constantly tuning in for live soccer, hockey, and volleyball. I also enjoy keeping up with baseball, softball, lacrosse, and golf. From fall through spring, BTN broadcasts live games almost daily, giving you hundreds of matchups across all 18 member schools.
The channel also offers original programming that keeps you connected to the conference. You’ll find studio shows like B1G Today and B1G Live: Game Break, as well as weekly highlight programs and docuseries that spotlight athletes, coaches, and campus traditions.
I’ve laid out a list of Big Ten Network’s non-game programming below, but you can also visit the official BTN TV Schedule to see what’s airing right now.
Big Ten Network programming
- At the Plate
- B1G Football in 60
- B1G Live: Game Break
- B1G Plus Encore
- B1G Tailgate
- B1G Today
- B1G Trailblazers
- Campus Eats
- On the Court
- The B1G Moment
- The B1G Show
- The B1G Story
- The B1G Trip
- The Final Drive
- The Journey
- Women’s Sports Report
What is Big Ten Network?
Big Ten Network is a national sports channel dedicated to covering the Big Ten Conference. Launched in 2007 as a partnership between the Big Ten and Fox Sports, BTN was the first channel built entirely around a single college conference. It was a move that set the blueprint for future conference-specific channels, such as SEC Network and ACC Network.
Today, BTN broadcasts live games, expert analysis, original shows, and behind-the-scenes features from across the conference. From football Saturdays to Olympic sports like volleyball and wrestling, the network makes it easy for students, alumni, and fans to stay connected to their schools year-round.
What channel is Big Ten Network on FAQ
Where can I watch Big Ten Network?
You can watch Big Ten Network through a variety of cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services. For college sports fans, we recommend Hulu + Live TV because it includes BTN, along with other must-have channels and ESPN+.
What’s the cheapest way to get Big Ten Network?
The most affordable way to stream Big Ten Network is with Sling TV. You’ll need the Sling Blue plan ($45.99/mo.) plus the Sports Extra add-on ($11–$15/mo.), which includes BTN and other college sports channels.
Can I watch Big Ten Network on YouTube?
You can’t stream Big Ten Network live on regular YouTube, but the channel’s official YouTube page includes plenty of content. For live games, YouTube TV carries Big Ten Network as part of its base package.
Is Big Ten Network on B1G+?
No, a B1G+ subscription doesn’t include live access to Big Ten Network. B1G+ carries separate programming, including non-televised events, replays, and school-specific coverage. The standalone streaming service costs $12.99/mo.
