March Madness is one of the most anticipated events of the sporting calendar and millions across the US will be looking to get a reliable March Madness live stream this month.
For bargain hunters, Sling TV will be a very appealing option indeed, offering a cheap and effective way to stream most games without the hassle of a traditional cable plan. And, what's more, you can currently claim $10 off your first month, bringing the price down to just $25.
While we can't tell you who to plump for in your bracket, what we can do is share the cheapest way to watch every game of the tourney. Here, we'll explain how to get March Madness on Sling TV, what it'll cost you, and a clever workaround that'll get you every game of March Madness for less than any rival streamer.
Is March Madness on Sling TV?
As usual, this year's March Madness will be broadcast across four channels – CBS, TNT, TBS, and TruTV.
Sling TV has two different plans, Orange and Blue, but for March Madness you'll only need to sign up to Sling TV Blue which carries TNT, TBS, and TruTV. That means that Sling TV will be broadcasting 49 of the 67 games – including the semis and the national championship game – only missing out on those broadcast on CBS.
Don't despair, though – to get access to the games shown on CBS, all you need to do is sign up for Paramount Plus, which costs just $9.99 a month and also includes a free trial. We'll get into the details of the pricing below, but suffice to say this combo is still far cheaper than any other alternative that carries all the networks in one package.
How much is it to get March Madness on Sling TV?
Sling TV's most appealing feature is its pricing, pure and simple. Compared to rivals such as FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, or YouTube TV, it's an absolute bargain.
Both its Orange and Blue plans usually cost a flat $35 a month each, but Sling is currently running a promotion that knocks an extra $10 off your first month – working out at just $25. Plus, thanks to the fact that Sling TV Blue offers all the basketball-relevant networks on Sling's roster, it's the only one you need.
If you want full access to every channel Sling offers, you'll get a discount which brings the overall price to $50 a month for Orange and Blue – but that's not necessary in order to watch the college basketball.
Of course, those that want every single game will require CBS local channels, too. The cheapest way to get access to the network (and therefore every March Madness game not available on Sling) is to sign up to Paramount Plus for $9.99 a month, plus a free trial.
At an all-in price of $34.99, this combo works out a hefty $30 cheaper than the closest competitor. It might not be absolutely ideal, but the very minor inconvenience is well worth the saving in our books.
What territories is Sling TV showing March Madness?
Unlike some other high-profile sporting events (Super Bowl, we're looking at you!), no networks broadcasting March Madness are restricted to 'selected markets', and no games are subject to blackouts.
So, as long as you're in the US, you'll be able to catch every second of March Madness as it happens.
What devices are compatible with Sling TV?
Sling TV has great compatibility with a whole load of devices, which means that whatever you're using and wherever you are, you should be able to get a stream.
For Windows PC or Mac users, all you need to do is log in on the Sling TV website and get streaming from your browser. If you're using Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Android, iOS, TiVo, Xfinity or just about any other device, you'll be able to download a dedicated app.
For a full list, head through to Sling's page on supported devices, but whatever you're using, you shouldn't have much of an issue tuning in.
Where else can I see March Madness?
As outlined above, to watch every game of March Madness you'll need access to CBS, TNT, TBS, and TruTV – a combination that relatively few streaming services offer.
YouTube TV is one of those, and does offer a wider range of channels overall than Sling, but at $64.99 a month it's considerably more costly. Hulu with Live TV also runs the gamut of networks, but at $69.99 it's even pricier.
Surprisingly, sports-focused FuboTV doesn't offer TNT, TBS, or TruTV. So, while it's a great option for most sporting events, it's a no-go for anyone wanting to watch a wide variety of March Madness games.
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