This offseason was unlike any other in the college football world. A significant shakeup in conference realignment resulted in household names like Texas A&M and Oklahoma joining the powerhouse SEC, USC and UCLA going east to join the Big Ten, and the once prestigious Pac-12 has now dissolved into two teams, nearly eliminating the conference. These newly constructed conferences will take time to get used to, but they have brought incredible matchups to December’s Championship game lineups.
In addition to conference shakeups, the College Football Playoff (CFP) season will have some new changes. It was a four-team playoff format established in 2014, expanding on the original Bowl Championship Series, which consisted of only two teams invited to play for the National Championship. But after ten years, the playoffs are ready to grow once again. This season will debut a twelve-team CFP bracket, which will take place over four action-packed weeks.
This playoff will include the four conference winners from the SEC, Big 12, Big 10, and ACC, who all will receive a first-round bye. One bid will go to the best conference winner outside of those conferences, and the last seven spots will go to the best remaining teams to round out the seeding.
A new CFP and conference matchups have created immeasurable hype around the upcoming 2024-2025 college football season. Here’s how to watch college football this action-packed season.
Where to watch college football
More than 1,000 college football games are scheduled from late August to January. Below, we’ll break down every channel that will broadcast games this year and where to find them.
| DIRECTV STREAM | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV | Fubo | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBS | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Fox | ✔ | ✔ | ✔* | ✔ | ✔ |
| ABC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔* | ✔ | ✔ |
| NBC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔* | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPN2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| FS1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| The CW | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| USA Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| TruTV | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Big Ten Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| SEC Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ACC Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔* | ✔ |
Watch college football on DIRECTV STREAM
- Suggested Plan: Choice
- Price: $114.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: 125+
DIRECTV STREAM is an excellent streaming service for sports fans of any caliber. With the Choice package, DIRECTV STREAM will provide access to nearly every Power Five conference football game and then some. The Choice Plan includes channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, FS1, Fox, CBS, and NBC. Also, you’ll get coverage across Big Ten Network, ACC Network, and the SEC Network, giving you nationwide college football content.
DIRECTV STREAM also includes access to regional sports networks, so you can watch all your local teams at no additional cost. Want to record matchups and watch them later? DIRECTV STREAM offers unlimited hours of cloud DVR storage, so you can watch on your own time.
Watch college football on Hulu + Live TV
- Suggested Plan: Hulu + Live TV Bundle
- Price: $82.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: 90+
Hulu + Live TV has a few add-ons available to purchase, but none are needed to view college football, as all must-have channels are in their base plan. The Hulu + Live TV Bundle provides channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, FS1, Fox, CBS, and NBC. You will find the most action-packed nationally televised games with these channels every week. Hulu also includes network channels like the Big Ten Network, ACC Network, SEC Network, USA Network, and The CW, giving access to nationwide college football games and content.
The Hulu + Live TV Bundle includes Disney Plus and ESPN Plus subscriptions. This is big for college football fans as ESPN Plus aims to stream nearly 500 college football games on their subscription service this upcoming football season. With this service, you can access every major college football game and have unlimited hours of cloud DVR storage.
Watch college football on Sling TV
- Suggested Plan: Sling Orange & Blue + Sports Extra add-on
- Price: Starting at $60.99
- Free Trial: No
- Channels Included: 65+
Sling TV is viewed as the most affordable streaming service for sports fans and provides an excellent channel list. With the Sling Orange & Blue, you will receive college football channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, FS1, Fox, and NBC. We suggest you include the Sports Extra add-on in your plan because this will consist of the Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, and FS2, providing additional college football content to your Sling channel guide.
Unfortunately, CBS is not part of Sling TV, but with Sling Orange & Blue plus the Sports Extra add-on, you will have plenty of college football to view every Saturday. Sling will provide 50 hours of cloud DVR storage, with the option to upgrade to 200 hours for an extra fee if needed.
Watch college football on Fubo
- Suggested Plan: Elite
- Price: $89.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: 260+
Fubo’s Elite Plan will be the streaming service with the most channels in comparison to its competitors. Fubo’s extensive channel list is one of the best available for an all-around sports fan, providing the best bang for your buck. The Elite Plan allows you to access ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, FS1, Fox, CBS, and NBC. These channels will stream the bigger games of the college football season. Additionally, you will receive channels like the Big Ten Network, ACC Network (in select markets), SEC Network, USA Network, and The CW to round off the list and provide nearly every game for fans weekly.
Fubo is more than just its channel selection. This streamer also now offers unlimited hours of cloud DVR space so you can record the games while you’re out doing other things (or watching another game) and catch up later.
Watch college football on YouTube TV
- Suggested Plan: Base
- Price: $82.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: 100+
Like Hulu, YouTube TV offers additional add-ons, but all their college football content is in their Base offering. With this plan, subscribers will receive all core channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, FS1, Fox, CBS, and NBC. Specialty channels like Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, USA Network, and The CW are also available in the Base plan, providing fans with plenty of college football content.
YouTube TV offers users unlimited hours of cloud DVR storage and a discounted price at NFL Season Ticket as an additional treat.
College football schedule 2024
You can view the entire season’s schedule on ESPN.
FAQ
How can I watch college football for free?
By tuning into local channels like ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS, you can view college football games for free. If you have a smart TV, games are streamed live on the CBS and Fox sports apps at no additional charge.
Does Hulu stream college football?
Hulu does stream college football games as their Hulu + Live TV Bundle will include access to various live TV channels that will broadcast college football games this season, as well as a subscription to ESPN Plus.
Can I watch college football on Peacock?
With Peacock, you can stream Notre Dame and various Big 10 games this season. You can view the Big 10 games available on Peacock’s website.
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