Looking to stream March Madness this year?
We’ve got you covered.
It’s that time of year again, March Madness has officially arrived – let the games begin! With bracket predictions in, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the action.
If you’re like me, you’ll want to be able to watch the games online. I ditched my cable television subscription a long time ago because these days I can find what I need online.
And the good news is that it has gotten even easier for basketball-loving cord-cutters to watch sports online without having a cable TV subscription. It really is easier than ever. But it can be overwhelming to sort through all the streaming services available and hard to know just where to start.
Most people are looking to figure out how to watch March Madness for free. If you’re looking to catch just one game, the NCAA’s March Madness Live allows you to live stream about three hours for free – after that you will be asked to login and pay.
If that works for you, great! But for you diehard fans, you’re going to need more viewing time as three hours is nowhere near enough. And even with a paid subscription, March Madness Live, in our opinion, is not the best way to stream these games.
What you need is high-quality broadcasting to see the details of the best plays and to feel like you’re actually at the game. For that you’re going to want to go with a paid, subscription-based service. You truly do get what you pay for.
Below are what we think are the best options out there for streaming March Madness this year. Of course, the other major consideration is Internet speed as there’s nothing worse than a game freezing mid-game. But more on that later.
The Top Ways to Stream March Madness:
Sling TV
Cost: $20 for the first month then $30
Our assessment: For the price, this is the best service on the market today. It’s no wonder a lot of people are moving to Sling TV. It doesn’t have the flashiest interface, but it’s dependable and offers a lot of channels for a very fair price. Definitely one to consider, especially if you’re looking to save some cash.
YouTubeTV
Cost:$49.99 per month (free 5 day trial)
Our assessment: YouTubeTV is a great alternative to Hulu (they’re the two most popular cable TV alternatives out there today). YouTube’s impressive lineup of sports networks is what attracts most people. But their user interface is also very intuitive (in our opinion) and it too is available on most devices. And the five bucks a month in savings certainly doesn’t hurt. This is our go-to option if you’re looking for an alternative to cable TV.
Hulu with Live TV
Cost: $54.99 per month (first month is free)
Our assessment: Aside from being able to stream the Super Bowl, Hulu is a great option in that there is an awesome selection of TV series and movies that come with it – so you’ll have lots to watch after a game. It’s also integrated with almost every streaming device which is very convenient. But while a great option, it’s not our top choice.
FuboTV
Cost: $55 for the first month (free 7 day trial)
Our assessment: Across most platforms, FuboTV has a great user experience – it’s maybe lesser known compared to the other platforms but it’s another great option. The subscription includes the Regional Sports Networks so this is a good option for sports fans as there’s lots to watch. That said, this platform does not come with ESPN channels, which could be a deal breaker.
Still having trouble deciding? Each of these services offers a free trial period. So, pick one and give it a spin. Don’t like it? Try another until you find what you’re looking for.
And Don’t Forget… Fast Internet Speed is Essential:
You can now watch March Madness in 4k – which is incredibly high definition, more than twice as much detail as with traditional 1080p.
If you’re committed to watching the game in 4k, keep in mind that you’re also going to need a screen capable of displaying that much resolution. Most modern televisions are capable of handling that much detail, but you should check your screen to be sure. It could be time for an upgrade.
But the biggest consideration here, even if you’re ok with watching the game in 1080p, is your Internet speed (which you can test here). You’re going to need a fast Internet connection (more than 40 Mbps, or “megabytes per second”). This is something you should consider in advance as there’s nothing worse than watching the Internet lag behind a game’s best moments.
Upgrading to a faster Internet speed will also make it easier for multiple family members to be using the Internet at the same time. The kids could be watching something on Disney Plus while you enjoy the game in the other room, without sacrificing image quality or load times.
So, upgrading to a faster Internet connection goes beyond being able to stream March Madness in 4k – it’s about making it work better for your family.
Time to upgrade your Internet provider?
We’re here to help. Our residential basic package starts at only $68 and will bring you up to 200 Mbps for both downloading and uploading speeds. Upgrading with us will make streaming March Madness and having multiple family members use the Internet at the same time totally doable – our service is just that fast.
Reach out to schedule an appointment today and we can share more in person or over the phone.