You’re sitting there, 10 minutes before kickoff, frantically scrolling through your remote or your phone because you can't find the channel. It’s a nightmare every Ohio State fan has lived. One week it's on FOX at noon, the next it’s tucked away on a streaming app you barely remember the password for. Honestly, trying to figure out where to watch Buckeyes game shouldn't feel like a 400-level physics course at OSU.
The landscape shifted big time with the Big Ten’s massive $7 billion media rights deal. We’re deep into the era of “fragmented viewing.” Basically, the days of just turning on Channel 10 in Columbus and calling it a day are long gone. You’ve got to navigate a maze of NBC, CBS, FOX, and—the one everyone loves to hate—Peacock.
The Big Three: FOX, CBS, and NBC
If you have a digital antenna, you’re in luck for about 70% of the season. FOX is still the "home" of the Buckeyes in many ways, specifically because of Big Noon Kickoff. Since FOX gets the first pick of games most weeks, they almost always snatch up Ohio State for that 12:00 PM ET slot. It’s great for ratings but, let's be real, kinda ruins the tailgate vibe if you aren't an early riser.
CBS and NBC are the newer players in the Big Ten sandbox. CBS usually takes the 3:30 PM ET window, while NBC has the "Big Ten Saturday Night" slot at 7:30 PM ET. Last season, games like the trip to Washington or the home tilt against Minnesota were prime examples of how these networks rotate the heavy hitters.
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Where Things Get Tricky
You can’t just rely on local broadcast. Sometimes, the Big Ten Network (BTN) takes the "smaller" games—think Grambling State or Purdue. If your cable package doesn't include BTN, you’re essentially blacked out unless you head to a sports bar.
Then there’s Peacock.
NBC has been very aggressive about moving at least one or two "exclusive" Ohio State games to their streaming platform every year. You cannot watch these on your local NBC affiliate. You must have a Peacock subscription. It happened with the Ohio Bobcats game last September, and it’ll happen again. It’s annoying, but it’s the price of the "modern" TV deal.
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Streaming Options for Cord-Cutters
If you've ditched cable, you have a few ways to keep up. Honestly, Fubo is probably the most robust option for sports fans because it carries FOX, CBS, NBC, and the Big Ten Network in almost every market.
- YouTube TV: Reliable, has the "multiview" feature which is a godsend on Saturdays.
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes Disney+ and ESPN+, which is nice for other sports, but expensive.
- Sling TV: The "budget" pick. Just be careful—you need the "Blue" package for FOX/NBC and the "Sports Extra" add-on for BTN. It doesn't carry CBS, which is a dealbreaker for many.
- Paramount+: If the game is on CBS, you can stream it live here as long as you have the "Essential" or "Showtime" plan.
Why You Can’t Always Trust the Schedule
Network executives use what they call a "6-day or 12-day window." This means for games in October and November, they often don't announce the official time or channel until the Sunday before the game. They wait to see who's winning and who's losing to maximize TV ratings.
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Take the Michigan game. While we know it’s almost always on FOX at noon, other massive matchups like Penn State can bounce between FOX and NBC depending on the College Football Playoff implications.
Radio: The Old School Reliable
When all else fails—or if you’re stuck in the car—97.1 The Fan (WBNS-FM) in Columbus is the flagship. Paul Keels is the voice of the Buckeyes, and frankly, some fans prefer muting the TV and listening to him anyway. You can stream the radio broadcast through the Ohio State Buckeyes app or the school’s official website if you're outside the Columbus signal range.
Critical Checklist for Game Day
Don't wait until 11:55 AM to check your setup. Follow these steps to ensure you aren't staring at a "Login Required" screen while the Buckeyes are lining up for the opening kickoff:
- Check the 6-Day Window: Every Sunday afternoon, check the official Ohio State Athletics site or a reliable sports news outlet to see the confirmed kickoff time.
- Verify Peacock Access: If the game is labeled "Exclusive," make sure your Peacock account is active at least 24 hours in advance.
- Test Your Antenna: If you’re relying on over-the-air broadcast, do a channel scan on Friday. Atmospheric conditions can sometimes mess with your signal.
- Have a Backup App: Download the FOX Sports and NBC Sports apps on your phone. If your main TV service glitches, you can often log in to these apps with your provider credentials as a fallback.
- Local Bars: If you’re traveling, search for an "Ohio State Alumni Club" in that city. They have designated "Buckeye Bars" where the game is guaranteed to be on.
The reality of college football in 2026 is that the fans are the ones doing the legwork. But as long as the Buckeyes keep winning, most of us will keep paying for whatever service we need to see that scarlet and gray on our screens.