Finding the right channel for penn state football used to be simple. You’d flip to ABC at 3:30 PM, see the white helmets, and you were set. Not anymore. Now, thanks to the Big Ten's massive $7 billion media rights deal, watching the Nittany Lions feels like solving a Rubik's Cube while wearing a blindfold. One week you’re on CBS, the next you’re digging through an app on your smart TV just to find a stream that isn't lagging.
Honestly, it’s a mess. But if you want to see James Franklin’s squad in 2026, you’ve got to play the game.
The New Big Three: FOX, CBS, and NBC
Forget the days of ESPN owning the Big Ten. That ship has sailed. For the 2025 and 2026 seasons, the conference has basically split its soul between three major broadcast networks.
FOX is still the king of the morning. Their "Big Noon Kickoff" is basically a permanent residency for Big Ten powerhouses. If Penn State is playing a high-stakes game against Ohio State or Michigan, there is a very high probability you’ll find them on FOX at 12:00 PM ET. It’s their flagship window.
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CBS took over the 3:30 PM ET slot. This used to be the "SEC on CBS" home, but now it’s all about the Midwest (and the new West Coast additions). When Penn State played Nevada to open the 2025 season, Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson were on the call. That’s the new normal.
Then there’s NBC. They’ve branded their Saturday night coverage as "Big Ten Saturday Night." If it’s a White Out game at Beaver Stadium, NBC is almost certainly going to be the channel for penn state football. They love the atmosphere of Happy Valley under the lights.
Why Peacock is the Name You'll Probably Curse
We have to talk about Peacock. It’s the elephant in the room. NBC doesn't just broadcast on their main channel; they keep select games exclusive to their streaming service.
In 2025, the Iowa game was tucked away on Peacock. You couldn't find it on cable. You couldn't find it with an antenna. You had to pay for the subscription. This isn't a fluke—it's the strategy. In 2026, expect at least one or two Penn State games to live exclusively on Peacock.
Paramount+ is similar for CBS games, but there’s a key difference. Usually, if a game is on your local CBS station, you can stream it on Paramount+. Peacock, however, often takes the "streaming-only" games that don't air on NBC at all. It’s frustrating, but if you’re a die-hard, it’s basically a "Penn State Tax" you have to pay.
The Big Ten Network and FS1: The Safety Nets
What about the games that aren't "marquee" enough for the big networks? That’s where the Big Ten Network (BTN) and FS1 come in.
- Big Ten Network: This is for your "buy-game" matchups. Think FIU, Villanova, or Rutgers. If it’s not a national headliner, it’s on BTN.
- FS1: This acts as a secondary overflow for FOX. If there’s a logjam of games, Penn State might get bumped here.
How to Find the Channel Weekly
The biggest mistake fans make is checking the schedule in August and assuming it stays that way. It doesn't. The networks use a "6-day or 12-day selection process." This means the channel for penn state football for a November game might not be announced until the Monday before the game.
Networks wait to see who is winning. If Penn State is 10-0, they’ll fight over who gets to broadcast them. If they’ve dropped a few games, they might slide down to a noon kick on BTN.
Watching Without Cable in 2026
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck, but you do need a plan. You can’t just rely on one app.
- YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV: These are the best "all-in-one" options. They carry FOX, CBS, NBC, BTN, and FS1. They are expensive, often north of $75 a month, but they cover 90% of the schedule.
- Fubo: Great for sports, but check if they have your local NBC/CBS affiliates. They usually do, but it varies by zip code.
- Sling TV: This is the budget choice, but be careful. Sling Blue has FOX and NBC in some markets, but it doesn't have CBS at all. You’d need an antenna or a separate Paramount+ sub to fill that hole.
The "Old School" Alternative
If you’re stuck in a car or just can't find the channel, don't sleep on the radio broadcast. Steve Jones and Jack Ham are legends for a reason. You can stream the audio for free via the Penn State Athletics app or GoPSUSports.com. Honestly, sometimes the radio call is better than the TV commentators anyway.
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Summary of Where to Look
The channel for penn state football is never just one place. It’s a rotation.
| Kickoff Time | Likely Network |
|---|---|
| 12:00 PM ET | FOX or BTN |
| 3:30 PM ET | CBS or FS1 |
| 7:30 PM ET | NBC or Peacock |
Check the official Penn State football Twitter (X) account or the GoPSUSports website every Monday morning. That is the only way to be 100% sure.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
To ensure you never miss a kickoff, follow these steps before the season starts. First, verify your local listings for FOX, CBS, and NBC to ensure your provider hasn't dropped any stations due to carriage disputes. Second, download the Peacock and Paramount+ apps and keep your login info handy; nothing is worse than trying to reset a password five minutes before the opening drive. Finally, bookmark a reliable 2026 schedule tracker that updates kickoff times in real-time, as the Big Ten's "flexible scheduling" can change a game time with less than a week's notice.