If you’ve tried to find a Michigan State game lately and ended up staring at a "Sign Up for Premium" screen instead of the opening kickoff, you aren't alone. It’s a mess. Honestly, the days of just turning on Channel 6 and seeing the Spartans are basically over. The new Big Ten media deal changed everything, and if you don't have a spreadsheet and three different logins, you’re probably going to miss a touchdown or two.
The 2025 season was a perfect example of this chaos. One week you’re on FS1 for a Friday night opener against Western Michigan, and the next you’re hunting for Peacock to watch a night game against Boston College. It’s frustrating. But this is the reality of michigan state football tv in 2026. If you want to follow the Spartans, you have to play the network hopping game.
The Big Ten Media Deal: Who Actually Owns the Games?
The Big Ten signed a monster seven-year deal worth about $7 billion. That’s a lot of zeros. Because of that, the rights are split between FOX, CBS, and NBC.
FOX usually gets the "Big Noon" slot. If Michigan State is playing a high-profile game at 12:00 PM ET, there is a very good chance it’s on FOX. CBS took over the 3:30 PM ET window that used to belong to the SEC. Then you have NBC, which handles the "Big Ten Saturday Night" primetime games.
But wait, there’s more.
The Big Ten Network (BTN) still exists and carries a huge chunk of the schedule, especially the games against smaller schools like Youngstown State. And then there is the elephant in the room: Peacock. NBC’s streaming service gets exclusive games that don't air on traditional TV at all. If you don't have the app, you don't see the game. Simple as that.
Michigan State Football TV: The Streaming Struggle
Streaming is where most fans get tripped up. Most people think "I have cable, I’m good." Nope. Not anymore.
During the 2025 season, the Spartans’ game against Indiana was tucked away exclusively on Peacock. It didn't matter if you had the most expensive Comcast package in East Lansing; if you didn't pay for that extra Peacock subscription, you were listening to the radio.
- Peacock: Expect at least one or two exclusive MSU games here per year.
- Paramount+: If the game is on CBS, you can usually stream it here too.
- FOX Sports App: You still need a cable login for this one.
The "Friday Night Lights" trend is also sticking around. Michigan State has become a fixture for these Friday slots on FS1 or BTN. It’s great for national exposure because there isn't much competition, but it’s a total headache for fans trying to get to Spartan Stadium after work or find the right channel at a bar.
What Most Fans Get Wrong About Blackouts
I hear it every Saturday at the bars in Grand Rapids or Royal Oak: "The game is blacked out!"
Usually, it isn’t. "Blackout" is an old-school term from when the NFL wouldn't show a game if the stadium wasn't full. In college ball, it’s almost always a "tiering" issue. Your cable package might have the Big Ten Network, but it might not have the "overflow" channels or the specific sports tier required to see the MSU game if five other Big Ten teams are playing at the same time.
Also, if you're out of state, your local FOX or CBS affiliate might choose a different game. That’s when the streaming apps actually become your best friend.
📖 Related: NFL Predictions Monday Night: Why the Postseason Chaos Changes Everything
Finding the 2026 Schedule
The 2026 schedule is going to be just as wild. With the Big Ten now spanning from New Jersey to Oregon, kickoff times are all over the place.
- Check 12 days out: Most game times and channels aren't announced until two weeks before the game.
- The 6-day window: Sometimes, the networks wait until the Sunday before the game to decide if it's "worthy" of a primetime slot.
- Radio is the fallback: If all else fails, George Blaha and the Spartan Media Network are still the gold standard.
The Cost of Being a Fan
It's getting expensive. Between a cable or YouTube TV subscription (which is now over $70/month), a Peacock sub, and maybe Paramount+, you're looking at a car payment just to watch football.
Some fans are just going back to the basics. They go to a sports bar. But even then, you have to hope the bartender knows which of the 50 TVs is actually showing the Spartans and not some random ACC matchup.
The reality is that michigan state football tv coverage is designed to make money for the conference first and satisfy the fans second. It's a business. A very, very profitable one.
How to Stay Ahead of the Broadcast
To make sure you never miss a kickoff, you need to be proactive. Don't wait until 11:55 AM on Saturday to figure out where the game is.
- Download the MSU Spartans App: They push out the official "How to Watch" guide every Thursday.
- Get an Antenna: Believe it or not, a cheap digital antenna will get you FOX, CBS, and NBC in high definition for free. It won't help with BTN or Peacock, but it covers the big games.
- Follow Spartan Football on X (Twitter): They usually post the specific channel and streaming link about 48 hours before the game.
- Sync your calendar: Use a service that automatically updates your phone calendar with the latest TV info as soon as the Big Ten announces it.