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Basketball fans have a huge reason to celebrate every March, since they can watch the best US college players playing for the national championship. NCAA March Madness games are where you’ll see future NBA stars for the first time. Many top players, including legends like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, have started in college.
NCAA March Madness puts the 68 best college teams in a knockout bracket, with the goal of coming out on top and winning the trophy. And the good news is you can watch all action on Roku. All you need is that streaming media player and a service like DirecTV Stream or fuboTV. Here are the top options to watch March Madness on Roku!
Our pick for watching March Madness on Roku: DirecTV Stream
NCAA March Madness 2023 will begin on March 14th with the First Four round. Several additional stages will come before the Final Four. Houston will be the host of these matches, including the NCAA Championship game on April 3rd.
The rule of rotating schedule indicates that CBS will broadcast the Final Four matches in 2023, and TBS will be the host in 2024. The fact you can enjoy these broadcast channels on DirecTV Stream is why we picked it as the top option to watch March Madness on Roku.
Why DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream is the former AT&T TV, which remains its major owner. The platform has rebranded with the goal of attracting more customers. The DirecTV Stream channel lineup is the primary reason why NCAA fans will love this service. It has CBS, meaning you’ll watch Final Four 2023, and there’s TBS, so you are covered for years to come.
On top of the final matches, you’ll get access to other NCAA games during March Madness and the regular season. It’s easy to install DirecTV Stream on Roku – just follow these steps:
Get a Roku device and sign up for an account.
Run the Roku app and press Home on the remote. Alternatively, find Streaming Channels in the mobile app.
Type DirecTV Stream and press Buy. The actual addition of the platform to Roku is free.
You’ll need an account to watch the channels via this platform since it’s a premium provider. Check DirecTV plans and pricing for more information on the available packages.
Top 4 Features of DirecTV Stream
Excellent video quality. The platform adjusts the streaming quality based on your current internet connection. But you can enjoy 1080p feeds for most channels broadcasting NCAA matches and other sports.
Fast loading times on Roku. DirecTV Stream works great on Roku. That includes fast loading times for each channel and intuitive navigation.
Extensive channel packages. You can pick from multiple subscriptions, and they all include local channels broadcasting NCAA March Madness.
Watch on up to three devices at any moment. The number increases to an unlimited number of devices connected to your home network. Learn more about the DirecTV simultaneous streams rules to use the platform’s potential to the max.
Best for overall sports fans: fuboTV
The general consensus is that fuboTV is the best streaming service for sports fans. And while it was a close call for NCAA March Madness, this platform came in second, and here’s why!
Reasons to choose
The basic subscription package grants access to over 100 channels, as well as three simultaneous streams and cloud DVR. The channel lineup on fuboTV includes BeIN Sports, CBS Sports, ESPN, and other networks.
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You can unlock the Tennis Channel, Stadium, and other channels with more expensive packages and add-ons. A specialized Sports Plus add-on is available with the NFL Red Zone, NBA TV, ESPN U, Fight Network, and other great channels. It ensures you have access to premium and college sports events in basketball and other sports.
Reasons to skip
You can enjoy NCAA Final Four, and all March Madness matches aired on CBS in 2023. But the problem with fuboTV is that it doesn’t offer TBS. That means you won’t have access to final NCAA March Madness matches in 2024 and some subsequent years. You can check some other options to watch the NCAA basketball championship without cable in our specialized guide.
Best for those who enjoy on-demand content: Hulu with Live TV
While you might know this platform for its on-demand library, it expanded to the live TV streaming market. Today, Hulu with Live TV offers 70+ channels in the basic package, and you get access to the impressive on-demand content library as a bonus.
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Reasons to choose
From the angle of NCAA basketball fans, you’ll appreciate Hulu with live TV offering both CBS and TBS. It ensures you can watch NCAA Final Four in the coming years while also securing access to other March Madness matches. The list of local channels is impressive, and it’s best to check the Hulu with Live TV guide to ensure you don’t miss any basketball match or any content worth watching. The platform works flawlessly on Roku, ensuring fast loading times and user-friendly menus.
Reasons to skip
Hulu with Live TV carries ESPN and its secondary channels, and other stations available will ensure you have generous NCAA coverage throughout the season. But if you enjoy other sports, such as NFL, you might be facing some blackouts. Fortunately, you can check our best VPN for Roku guide to learn how to bypass these restrictions.
Best for a curated channel selection: YouTube TV
YouTube TV has had a great approach from the moment it entered the market. The platform focuses on choosing channels carefully, so you end up with a selection of premium broadcasting stations for all ages and interests. And the best part is that CBS and TBS are all there to watch NCAA March Madness!
Reasons to choose
YouTube TV allows having six different profiles on a single account and watching on three devices simultaneously. It means multiple users can share an account and enjoy watching NCAA March Madness or any other content. There’s also the YouTube TV DVR and offline viewing, which is available at no extra cost. Local TV and sports network coverage is impressive, which will make NCAA and sports fans happy.
Reasons to skip
You can only find a single subscription package, although some add-ons are available. YouTube TV doesn’t have a great rating on Roku Channel Store since it’s only 3.9 out of 5. It might be because the interface could be friendlier to beginners. It takes some time to get used to how everything works.
Our takeaway: You won’t miss any major NCAA action with DirecTV Stream
NCAA March Madness lasts for an entire month, and you have some great games available. But it’s the Final Four you don’t want to miss since that’s when the championship is decided. And DirecTV Stream has CBS and TBS, which ensures coverage of final matches in the coming years.
You can also go with fuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, or YouTube TV. They all have their advantages, with all the platforms mentioned also covering regular-season NCAA games. So, if you enjoy basketball, don’t hesitate to pick your favorite and subscribe today!
Aneeca Younas
Aneeca Younas is a graduated journalist with years of experience writing in different niches based in Oakland, CA. She is a huge movie fan that also enjoys watching sports. That's why she spends hours daily using various streaming services. Over the years, Aneeca profiled herself as an expert in cable-free and VOD platforms.