Finding the Alabama Crimson Tide TV schedule used to be simple. You’d check the local paper or just assume the game was on CBS at 2:30 PM. Those days are gone. Everything changed when the SEC moved its primary broadcast rights over to ABC and the ESPN family of networks. Now, if you aren't paying attention to the specific "flex" windows or the nuances of the SEC Network+, you're going to miss a kickoff.
Honestly, it's a bit of a mess for the casual fan. You’ve got games shifting between Saturday night and early morning starts based on how the team performed the week before.
The Current State of the Alabama Crimson Tide TV Schedule
We are currently in the thick of the 2025-26 athletic calendar. For the football program, the regular season has just wrapped up with a dramatic postseason run, but the 2026 schedule is already set in stone. If you're looking for where to point your remote for the upcoming year, the SEC has already laid out the path.
The 2026 season opens on September 5 against East Carolina. While the exact network hasn't been pinned down for every single game yet—the SEC usually waits until 6 to 12 days before kickoff to finalize times—we know the home. ABC is the "A" package now. Expect the biggest matchups, like the home date with Georgia on October 10 or the Iron Bowl against Auburn on November 28, to land in that primetime ABC slot or the 2:30 PM "Game of the Week" window.
2026 Football Broadast Windows
The SEC uses a specific system now. They don't just pick a time; they pick a "window."
- Early: Kickoff between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM CT.
- Afternoon: Kickoff between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM CT.
- Night: Kickoff between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM CT.
- Flex: This is the tricky one. It means the game could be Afternoon or Night, depending on TV rankings.
For the 2026 season, the road game at Tennessee on October 17 is a prime candidate for a "Flex" designation. The networks want to see if both teams are ranked in the top ten before they commit to a night broadcast under the lights at Neyland Stadium.
Basketball and the Winter Slant
While football is king, the Alabama Crimson Tide TV schedule for basketball is arguably harder to track because there are so many more games. We are currently right in the middle of the SEC gauntlet for the 2025-26 hoops season.
Nate Oats has this team playing a style that TV executives love—high scoring and fast. Because of that, Alabama is a staple on ESPN and ESPN2. For example, the upcoming home game against Tennessee on January 24 is slated for a 7:30 PM CT start on one of the main ESPN channels. If you're looking for the midweek games, like the trip to Missouri on January 27, you’ll likely find those tucked away on the SEC Network.
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One thing people constantly get wrong? SEC Network+ vs. SEC Network. They are not the same thing.
SEC Network is a linear channel you get with your cable or YouTube TV package. SEC Network+ is a digital-only stream accessible via the ESPN app. If the schedule says "SECN+," don't bother flipping through your TV channels. You have to open the app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV and log in with your provider credentials. It’s a minor hurdle, but it catches people off guard every single Tuesday night.
How to Actually Watch Without a Headache
If you've cut the cord, your options are basically YouTube TV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV. Each of these carries ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and the SEC Network.
What about Peacock or Paramount+? Forget about them for Bama games. Since the SEC left CBS, Paramount+ is useless for the Tide. And since they aren't in the Big Ten, Peacock won't have them either. It is an all-Disney affair now.
Streaming Hacks for the Tide
- The ESPN App is Mandatory: Even if you have cable, the app is the only way to see the "plus" games.
- Antennas still work: If the game is on ABC, a cheap $20 over-the-air antenna will get you the game in better quality (less compression) than most streaming services.
- Watch the "Power Hour": On Mondays during the season, the SEC usually announces the finalized times for the following week. This is when the "TBA" on your app finally turns into a real number.
Why the Schedule Keeps Changing
Television executives at Disney (who own ABC/ESPN) use a selection process that feels like a draft. They have the right to "flex" games to maximize viewers. If Alabama is undefeated heading into the LSU game on November 7, 2026, you can bet your house it will be a night game on ABC. If they have two losses, it might get pushed to an afternoon slot on ESPN.
This is why you can't trust a schedule printed in August. It’s a living document. The Alabama Crimson Tide TV schedule is built around "high-value windows." They want the most eyes on the screen to sell the most expensive ads.
The biggest surprise for fans in 2026 will be the early SEC game. Usually, Bama plays a few "cupcakes" early, but in 2026, they travel to Kentucky in Week 2 (September 12). That is an unusually early conference start, and it’s almost certainly going to be a high-profile broadcast because there won't be much conference competition that early in the year.
Actionable Steps for the Season
Don't wait until Saturday morning to figure out where the game is. The most reliable way to stay updated is to check the official "SEC Now" social media accounts or the RollTide.com 24-hour clock.
What you should do right now:
- Download the ESPN App: Link your TV provider today so you aren't fumbling with passwords five minutes before kickoff.
- Check your local ABC affiliate: If you use a streaming service like Fubo, make sure your local ABC station is included, as some regional packages vary.
- Sync your digital calendar: Most team sites offer a "Sync to Calendar" feature that automatically updates the "TBA" times once the networks make their picks.
Keeping up with the Tide requires a bit of digital literacy these days. But as long as you know the difference between the linear SEC Network and the streaming-only SECN+, you’ll be ahead of 90% of the fans at the tailgate.