All posts tagged: March Madness

2026 NCAA Basketball Finals TV Ratings Rise

2026 NCAA Basketball Finals TV Ratings Rise

Published by Daniella Wilson

A pair of powerhouse matchups in the NCAA basketball championships resulted in big audiences for the men’s and women’s finals. Both games showed year-to-year ratings gains — which is particularly notable for the men’s side, as Monday’s final aired on TNT Sports rather than CBS; the broadcast network’s years with the title game typically bring in larger audiences. Michigan’s 69-63 win over Connecticut Monday night averaged 18.3 million viewers on TBS, TNT and TruTV, up a little from the 18.1 million who watched the 2025 title game on CBS (with the caveat that Nielsen has added a big data component to its ratings measurement this season). Monday’s telecast improved by about 23 percent over the last time TNT Sports carried the championship in 2024 and was the most watched men’s title game since 2019. The women’s championship game Sunday afternoon on ABC and ESPN, meanwhile, delivered 9.88 million viewers who watched UCLA thump South Carolina, 79-51. The game grew about 16 percent from 8.5 million viewers last year and finished as the third most-watched women’s …

Where to Watch NCAA Men’s March Madness Live Online

Where to Watch NCAA Men’s March Madness Live Online

Published by Daniella Wilson

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission. With The Chainsmokers set to headline the “Bridge Show” between games, the Final Four: NCAA Men’s March Madness games take place on Saturday, Apr. 4. The top four teams in college basketball compete against each other to see which two are going to the 2026 National Championship game. You can watch the Final Four of play starting with the No. 3-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini takes on the No. 2-ranked UConn Huskies at 3:09 p.m. PT/6:09 p.m. ET. It’s followed by No. 1-ranked Michigan Wolverines going head-to-head against No. 1-ranked Arizona Wildcats at 5:49 p.m. PT/8:49 p.m. ET. Both games broadcast on TBS and truTV, and livestream on HBO Max. At a Glance: How to Stream Final Four 2026: NCAA Men’s March Madness Online If you want to catch all of the college basketball action, keep reading to find out how to watch the Final Four with and without a cable subscription, including …

Love March Madness? Thank the Man Who Made It Easier to Watch

Love March Madness? Thank the Man Who Made It Easier to Watch

Published by Sam Flores

For a few weeks every March, American productivity collapses into a blur of fake doctor’s appointments and furtive glances at phones under conference tables as the NCAA’s annual basketball tournament subsumes the culture. March Madness is one of the last sports products that can still be easily consumed—there are no blackout rules, no app-hopping, and no $400 subscription required, making it a rarity in today’s media landscape. The NFL is being dragged through an antitrust fight over allegedly unfairly pricing and restricting access to its out-of-market games package; the NBA’s broadcast rights are splintering across broadcast and streaming. Even college football is drifting toward a more fragmented, paywalled future. But to keep up with March Madness, all you need is basic cable. Ever since the proliferation of streaming, the cost of watching live sports has quietly exploded. Games that used to come bundled in a single cable subscription are now scattered across broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming services—each with their own monthly fees. Want the full slate? You’ll likely need some combination of ESPN, …

Why Watching March Madness Just Isn’t That Fun Anymore

Why Watching March Madness Just Isn’t That Fun Anymore

Published by Jenni Sidey

I used to regularly skip school on the first two days of March Madness. Those beguiling opening-round days, where it feels like absolutely anything can happen from the first tipoff on Thursday morning to the final buzzer on Friday night, ranked among my favorite forms of hooky. Sure, being anywhere other than chemistry class was a huge part of the appeal, but so too was the chance to watch hours upon hours of uninterrupted basketball. And as a West Coast kid, the first game of the day starting around 9 a.m. also meant the dopamine started flowing early. Maybe it’s because I’m no longer an indulgent teenager, but lately, the NCAA Tournament hasn’t seemed nearly as enticing. I still look forward to filling out a bracket every March—the more uniformed the better. It’s still fun tuning into the final minutes of a game where a university with roughly the same enrollment as my high school tries to slay a giant. But as for waddling up to the college basketball buffet and remaining there all day, …

Where to Watch NCAA Men’s March Madness 2026 Live Online, Livestream

Where to Watch NCAA Men’s March Madness 2026 Live Online, Livestream

Published by Daniella Wilson

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission. With the highest ratings in eight years with nearly 21 million viewers, the NCAA Men’s March Madness returns for the 2026 season. The top teams in college basketball competing against each in a one-and-done tournament to win the national championship, while the Duke Blue Devils are considered the favorite to win it all. However, Michigan, Arizona and Florida (who are the reigning champions) are all considered contenders, so it’s going to be something special, if there’s an upset this year. On Thursday, Mar. 19, you can watch a full day of the First Round of play starting with the No. 9-ranked TCU Horned Frogs vs. the No. 8-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at 9:15 a.m. PT/12:15 p.m. ET. The game broadcast on CBS and livestream on Paramount+. Check out a complete 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness schedule and bracket here. At a Glance: How to Stream 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness Online Want …

NCAA Basketball Live Stream​ Free

NCAA Basketball Live Stream​ Free

Published by Daniella Wilson

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission. Women’s March Madness returns for the 2026 NCAA tournament, and the undefeated UConn Huskies are looking to run it back as champions for a second season in a row — but not without some tough competition from UCLA, Texas and 2024 national champions South Carolina. Ahead of the First Round, commencing on Friday, March 20, fans can catch the First Four — Nebraska vs. Richmond, Missouri State vs. SFA, Southern U. vs. Samford and Virginia vs. Arizona State — on March 18 and 19. And since the First Four air on ESPN2, cord-cutters can watch live on any streaming service that carries the network, including DirecTV (with a five-day free trial), Fubo (with a five-day free trial), Sling and Hulu + Live TV. In addition to ESPN2, the Women’s March Madness tournament will be broadcast across ESPN, ESPNU, ESPNews and ABC. While the easiest way to catch every game is through DirecTV (with …

NCAA Women’s March Madness, Selection Sunday 2026: Watch Online Free

NCAA Women’s March Madness, Selection Sunday 2026: Watch Online Free

Published by Daniella Wilson

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission. March Madness is here! Before the games begin, the women’s tournament starts with Selection Sunday, which reveals all 68 teams, seedings and matchups during the first round of the massive annual collegiate competition. At a Glance: How to Watch NCAA Women’s March Madness Selection Sunday 2026 Online Want to watch the bracket reveal TV special online? Women’s college basketball fans can watch Selection Sunday on ESPN. Here’s what to expect: The UConn Huskies are likely to be at the top of the bracket, as the No. 1 seed. And with an undefeated record of 34-0, the team is also in the best position to repeat as championships in 2026. South Carolina, UCLA and Texas are all expected to be championship contenders this year too. There are a few ways to watch Women’s Selection Sunday this year. Here’s what you need to know. NCAA Women’s March Madness Selection Sunday 2026: Date, Start Time …

Doc Gets March Madness Release Date

Doc Gets March Madness Release Date

Published by Daniella Wilson

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are ready for their close-up. Focusing on college basketball‘s perennial Cinderella team, sports documentary feature Gonzaga: The Slipper Still Fits is set to debut as a Tubi Original on March 6, The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively learned. Director David Check’s feature marks the second project hailing from the FAST platform’s partnership with Teton Ridge Entertainment, following Tubi’s launch earlier this month of women’s college basketball documentary The Moment. Gonzaga: The Slipper Still Fits centers on how head coach Mark Few turned the small college program into a national powerhouse that became a regular contender in the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament known as March Madness. The film includes interviews with such prominent figures as Few and Steve Kerr, along with Gonzaga alums John Stockton, Adam Morrison, Chet Holmgren, Andrew Nembhard, Jalen Suggs and Domantas Sabonis. Thomas Tull produces the movie that hails from Teton Ridge Entertainment and Words and Pictures. Jillian Share, Josh Miller, Connor Schell, Jonathan Hock, Libby Geist, Alexa Conway and Angela T. O’Neal serve as executive producers. Negotiating …