March Madness 2026: Your Guide to TV Channels, Live Streams, and Tournament Action

The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, commonly known as March Madness, is underway, offering a thrilling blend of upsets, buzzer-beaters, and the pursuit of college basketball glory. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the TV schedule, streaming options, and key games to follow as the tournament progresses.

Key Storylines and Top Seeds

Led by freshman star Cameron Boozer, Duke (East Region) entered the bracket as the No. 1 overall seed. Arizona (West Region), Florida (South Region), and Michigan (Midwest Region) earned the other No. 1 seeds in this year’s tournament. Several teams are hoping to craft Cinderella runs, building on the excitement generated by early-round upsets.

First Four Results (March 17-18)

• March 17: No. 16 Howard 86, No. 16 UMBC 83
• March 17: No. 11 Texas 68, No. 11 NC State 66
• March 18: No. 16 Prairie View A&M 67, No. 16 Lehigh 55
• March 18: No. 11 Miami (Ohio) 89, No. 11 SMU 79

Round 1 Highlights (March 19-20)

The first round delivered several memorable moments, including notable upsets and close contests:

• No. 9 TCU 66, No. 8 Ohio State 64
• No. 4 Nebraska 76, No. 13 Troy 47
• No. 6 Louisville 83, No. 11 South Florida 79
• No. 12 High Point 83, No. 5 Wisconsin 82
• No. 1 Duke 71, No. 16 Siena 65
• No. 5 Vanderbilt 78, No. 12 McNeese 68
• No. 3 Michigan State 92, No. 14 North Dakota State 67
• No. 4 Arkansas 97, No. 13 Hawaii 78
• No. 11 VCU 82, No. 6 North Carolina 78 (OT)
• No. 1 Michigan 101, No. 16 Howard 80
• No. 11 Texas 79, No. 6 BYU 71
• No. 10 Texas A&M 63, No. 7 Saint Mary’s 50
• No. 3 Illinois 105, No. 14 Penn 70
• No. 9 Saint Louis 102, No. 8 Georgia 77
• No. 2 Houston 78, No. 15 Idaho 47
• No. 3 Gonzaga 73, No. 14 Kennesaw State 64

March Madness TV Schedule: Friday, March 20

Here are the first-round NCAA Tournament games on Friday, March 20:

• No. 7 Kentucky vs. No. 10 Santa Clara, 12:15 p.m. ET on CBS, Fubo, and Paramount+
• No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Akron, 12:40 p.m. ET on truTV and DIRECTV
• No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 16 LIU, 1:35 p.m. ET on TNT and DIRECTV
• No. 3 Virginia vs. (Further games to be announced)

How to Watch March Madness

March Madness games are broadcast across multiple networks, including CBS, TNT, truTV, and FOX. Streaming options are available through services like Paramount+, Fubo, and DIRECTV. Check specific game listings for the correct channel or streaming platform.

Looking Ahead

As the tournament progresses, expect more thrilling matchups and potential upsets. Stay tuned for updates on the schedule, streaming options, and the road to the Final Four.