Does Paramount Plus Have All March Madness Games

Does Paramount Plus Have All March Madness Games?

Alright, basketball fans! Let’s talk about March Madness, the super exciting college basketball tournament. You might be wondering, if you get Paramount Plus, will you be able to watch all the games? It’s a great question because no one wants to miss a single buzzer-beater or slam dunk! The answer is a little bit tricky, so let’s break it down to see exactly what you get when it comes to March Madness on Paramount Plus.

Understanding the March Madness Broadcast Rights

Before we dive into Paramount Plus, it’s important to know how March Madness games are shown on TV. Unlike some other sporting events, the broadcasting rights for March Madness aren’t held by just one company. Instead, they’re shared between two big players: CBS and TBS/TNT/TruTV. This sharing is why you might see some games on one channel and others on a different channel. Think of it like a big relay race where different teams are running different parts of the race. CBS usually shows a lot of games, especially in the earlier rounds, and the later rounds and championship game is often on TBS/TNT/TruTV.

The Role of CBS in March Madness

CBS plays a major part in broadcasting March Madness. You’ll often see them show many of the games, especially in the early stages of the tournament. They have been a part of March Madness for a very long time, and many people associate CBS with this exciting event. CBS has a lot of history with showing this tournament, and they typically have all sorts of special features and analysis during the games to help you feel like you’re right there in the arena. Now, here is where Paramount Plus comes in.

Paramount Plus: Your CBS Streaming Home

Paramount Plus is the streaming service owned by CBS. This means that any March Madness games that are shown on CBS will also be available on Paramount Plus. That’s fantastic for folks who prefer watching on their tablets, phones, or computers, instead of being stuck in front of a TV. If you have a Paramount Plus subscription, you’ll be able to stream these CBS games live, just like you would if you were watching them on regular TV. This means you can take your basketball excitement with you when you are not home. For example, you could watch a game during your lunch break or while waiting for a ride.

What Games Are Available on Paramount Plus?

Okay, so we know that Paramount Plus streams the CBS games for the tournament, but what exactly does that mean for your viewing experience? You should not expect all the March Madness games, because they are not all shown by CBS. This is where it gets a little more clear, but let’s break it down.

Early Round Coverage

In the initial rounds of March Madness, CBS is your friend. You’ll likely find a good number of games available on Paramount Plus. These early rounds are known for their exciting upsets and Cinderella stories, so you don’t want to miss any of it. Because CBS broadcasts a good amount of the first games, you’ll find they are available on Paramount Plus. Remember, you have the flexibility to watch them from your phone, tablet, or computer, meaning you can enjoy the games from almost anywhere.

Later Round Games

As the tournament moves forward towards the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight, the games continue to be split between CBS and the Turner networks (TBS/TNT/TruTV). Paramount Plus will still show the games that are being broadcast by CBS. Keep an eye on the broadcast schedule, because CBS won’t show all the games in the later rounds. This means that you need to make sure that you know where the other games are available.

The Final Four and Championship Game

The final four and the championship game is where it becomes even more important to understand who is showing the games. These big games, which everyone wants to see, are most often shown on TBS/TNT/TruTV, not CBS. Because Paramount Plus streams only CBS content, you won’t see these games here. So, if your favorite team makes it all the way to the end, you will need another option other than Paramount Plus to watch those games.

What You Won’t Find on Paramount Plus

Now that we know what games you can watch on Paramount Plus, let’s look at what you won’t see. This part is crucial to avoid missing any big moments during the tournament. Let’s look at what to expect from each network so you are fully prepared.

TBS/TNT/TruTV Games

The games that are shown by TBS, TNT, and TruTV are not available on Paramount Plus. These channels are part of the Turner network, and they have their own separate streaming service and ways to watch. If you want to watch those games, you’ll have to go to the Turner channels. You might have access through cable or another streaming service that carries these networks. This is important to keep in mind when planning out your viewing for March Madness.

Why Some Games Are Missing

You might be wondering why all the games are not all on one streaming service. It’s because of the deals and agreements between networks. These agreements determine who gets to show which games and for how long. Because of this, you have to make sure you know who is broadcasting what game so that you can watch them. This also encourages competition among the networks, who want to have as many viewers as possible, which is why they are always working to improve the broadcasts.

Alternative Ways to Watch Games Not on Paramount Plus

Since Paramount Plus doesn’t carry all March Madness games, you might be wondering about other options. Don’t worry! There are other great ways to catch all the basketball action. Here are some ways to see the games that are not available on Paramount Plus.

Cable and Satellite TV

The most common way to watch March Madness games is through traditional cable or satellite TV. Most TV providers carry channels like CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV, so you will be able to watch all the games. Remember to check your TV guide or program listings to see which games are being shown on which channel. If you are watching on traditional cable, you will see all of the games as long as you have all the networks.

Streaming Services with Turner Networks

Many streaming services besides Paramount Plus carry the Turner channels (TBS, TNT, and TruTV). Options like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and DIRECTV STREAM often include these channels in their packages. If you have a subscription to one of these services, you’ll be able to watch the games that are not shown by CBS. Be sure to confirm which channels are included in your service before the tournament starts.

The Official March Madness App

The NCAA (the organization that runs March Madness) also has its own app, which provides a way to watch many games. The March Madness Live app may require you to sign in with your cable TV provider credentials, but can be a handy way to watch if you are on the go and not near a tv. However, be sure to check the availability, because even the app is also subject to which games are available to stream based on the broadcast rights.

Paramount Plus Benefits During March Madness

Even though Paramount Plus won’t show every single game, it has lots to offer during March Madness. Let’s look at how it can make your viewing experience better.

On-Demand Replays

One great thing about Paramount Plus is that you can often watch replays of games after they have aired live. This is really helpful if you missed a game or want to watch a particularly exciting one again. With Paramount Plus, you have a convenient way to catch all of the most exciting moments from the games they broadcast.

Live Streaming on the Go

The ability to watch live games on your phone or tablet using Paramount Plus is a big plus. You don’t have to be at home to keep up with your team’s games. Whether you are on vacation, at a friend’s house, or just waiting at the doctor’s office, you can always catch the action, as long as you have a decent internet connection.

A Variety of Content

Besides the live games, Paramount Plus offers all sorts of other shows and movies. So, even when the basketball games are not on, you can find other things to watch. This can be a great feature for you and the whole family to enjoy.

Planning Your March Madness Viewing

To make sure you don’t miss any of the March Madness excitement, here is a helpful guide for planning your viewing schedule:

• Check the Schedule: Look at the official March Madness schedule to know which games are on CBS and which are on TBS/TNT/TruTV.
• Prepare Your Subscriptions: Confirm that you have access to Paramount Plus for the CBS games, and either cable or a streaming service that carries the Turner networks for the other games.
• Use Multiple Options: Don’t be afraid to use more than one option. You can use Paramount Plus for CBS games, cable for some, and maybe a streaming app for other games.
• Set Reminders: Set reminders so you never miss your favorite teams or games.

So, to recap, Paramount Plus is a great way to catch many of the March Madness games, especially the ones on CBS. You won’t get all the games, but you will have a way to watch a good chunk of them. Always make sure you have access to Turner networks through another provider if you want to see all the tournament action. This way, you can be sure to enjoy all the buzzer-beaters, slam dunks, and thrilling games that make March Madness so special. Enjoy the tournament!