Finding the right ohio state buckeyes football channel used to be simple. You’d sit down, turn on the local ABC affiliate, and watch the Silver Bullets fly. Those days are gone. Now? It’s a bit of a scavenger hunt. If you aren't paying attention to the new Big Ten media rights deal, you’re going to be staring at a "Content Not Found" screen while your neighbor is already celebrating a Jeremiah Smith touchdown.
Honestly, it’s kinda chaotic.
The reality of 2026 is that the Buckeyes don't live on just one channel. They’re scattered across a massive multi-billion dollar ecosystem involving FOX, CBS, NBC, and the Big Ten Network. And yeah, you probably need a Peacock subscription too. It’s annoying, but if you want to see every snap from the Shoe to the Rose Bowl, you've gotta know the map.
📖 Related: Evander Kane: What Most People Get Wrong About Hockey's Most Polarizing Player
The Big Three: FOX, CBS, and NBC
The backbone of the current TV schedule is the rotation between the major networks. FOX still carries a huge chunk of the weight. Their "Big Noon Saturday" window is basically the unofficial home of the Buckeyes. Most of the high-stakes matchups, including the 2025 regular-season finale against Michigan (which Ohio State won 27-9), aired on FOX.
CBS and NBC have stepped in to fill the gaps left by the departure of ESPN from the Big Ten's primary rights. CBS typically takes the 3:30 p.m. ET slot. If you saw the Buckeyes dismantle Wisconsin 34-0 in Madison this past October, you were watching CBS.
NBC has claimed the "Big Ten Saturday Night" slot. This is where things get "primetime." The 2025 home game against Minnesota was an NBC special. It’s a different vibe—lots of LED lights, drone shots, and that specific NBC theme music that sounds like a movie trailer.
What happened to the Big Ten Network?
Don't delete the Big Ten Network (BTN) from your lineup just yet. While the "massive" games go to the over-the-air networks, BTN is still the go-to ohio state buckeyes football channel for early-season matchups and specific conference road trips.
For example, the 70-0 blowout of Grambling State and the 34-10 win over Purdue in 2025 were both BTN exclusives. If you have a standard cable package or a service like YouTube TV, you usually have this. But if you’re a "skinny bundle" streamer, you might get burned.
The Peacock Problem (and Paramount+)
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: streaming.
You can’t just rely on an antenna anymore. Peacock, NBC’s streaming service, has exclusive rights to a handful of games every year. This isn't just a simulcast of what's on TV; it's the only place the game exists. In the 2025 season, the game against Ohio (the Bobcats, not the state) was a Peacock exclusive. If you didn't have the app, you didn't see the game. Simple as that.
Paramount+ is also in the mix, though it’s a bit more forgiving. Any game airing on CBS is also streamed live on Paramount+ (Premium tier). It’s a lifesaver if you’re away from your living room but have a tablet and a decent Wi-Fi connection.
Why the "Channel" Keeps Changing
You might notice that the ohio state buckeyes football channel for a game isn't usually announced until 6 or 12 days before kickoff. This drives fans crazy. Why the mystery?
It’s all about the "selection process." The networks—FOX, CBS, and NBC—essentially "draft" the games they want. If Ohio State is undefeated and playing a Top-10 Penn State, FOX and NBC are going to fight over it. They wait to see the rankings and the "heat" around the matchup before locking it in.
- The Noon Slot: Usually FOX's first pick.
- The 3:30 Slot: Usually CBS's territory.
- The Night Slot: NBC's kingdom.
This means you can’t plan your tailgate TV setup months in advance. You’ve basically got to stay glued to the Big Ten’s Monday morning announcements to know where to tune in.
The Playoff and Postseason Shift
Everything changes once the regular season ends. The Big Ten Championship game? That stayed on FOX for 2025, where we saw that heartbreaking 13-10 loss to Indiana.
But once you hit the College Football Playoff (CFP), the ohio state buckeyes football channel shifts back to the Disney empire. ESPN and ABC still hold the keys to the CFP. The Cotton Bowl quarterfinal against Miami on December 31, 2025, was a national ESPN broadcast.
Even if you spent the whole season avoiding ESPN because of the Big Ten's new deal, you’re forced back into their arms for the games that actually lead to a trophy. It’s a fragmented mess, honestly.
How to actually watch without losing your mind
If you’re trying to build a "Buckeye-proof" viewing setup for the 2026 season and beyond, you basically have three paths.
- The Digital Antenna: Great for FOX, CBS, and NBC. It’s free. It’s high-def. It’s reliable. But you’ll miss BTN and Peacock games.
- YouTube TV or Fubo: These are the gold standards for sports fans right now. They carry the local channels, plus BTN and FS1. However, they are getting pricey. Expect to pay north of $75/month.
- The App Scramble: This is the cheapest but most annoying way. You buy Peacock for a month. You use a friend's login for the FOX Sports app. You toggle between Paramount+ and a radio feed. It’s a headache.
Most fans I know have just bitten the bullet and gone with YouTube TV. It’s the only way to ensure you aren't frantically downloading an app five minutes after kickoff because you realized the game isn't on "normal" TV.
Actionable Steps for the Next Kickoff
To make sure you never miss a snap, do these three things right now:
- Download the "Official Ohio State Buckeyes" App: They post the confirmed TV channel and kickoff time the second it's official.
- Check your Peacock Subscription: If it's the beginning of September, check if there's an "Early Bird" special. You’re going to need it for at least one or two games.
- Audit your Cable/Streamer: Ensure you have Big Ten Network. Some "Base" packages have moved it to "Sports Tiers," meaning you might think you have it until you try to tune in and see a lock icon.
The days of a single ohio state buckeyes football channel are over. We’re in the era of the "Buckeye Broadcast Network," a fragmented, digital-heavy world where your remote control is your most important piece of gameday gear.