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Finding a game on the dial isn't what it used to be. Honestly, if you’re trying to catch every minute of Greg Gard’s squad this year, you’ve probably realized that a standard cable package is basically just a starting point. The badger men’s basketball tv schedule has become a bit of a scavenger hunt across traditional networks, cable staples, and—increasingly—streaming services that didn't even exist a decade ago.
We’re deep into the 2025-26 Big Ten slate now. The "new" Big Ten, mind you. That means road trips to the West Coast and a broadcast calendar that looks more like a patchwork quilt than a linear schedule. If you missed the win over Michigan on CBS or the battle with Rutgers on BTN, you're already feeling the burn of the multi-platform era.
Where to Find the Badgers Right Now
The days of every game being on "Channel 18" or even just ESPN are long gone. This season, the Badgers are spread across six different platforms. FOX and CBS handle the "big" windows. Big Ten Network (BTN) and FS1 carry the bulk of the conference grind. Then there’s Peacock.
Yeah, Peacock.
The streaming exclusive has become a point of contention for many older fans, but it's where some of the biggest matchups live now. For example, the upcoming home clash against USC on January 25 is a Peacock exclusive. If you show up to your favorite sports bar and they don't have the app pulled up, you're staring at a blank screen while the "White Out" at the Kohl Center happens without you.
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Upcoming Key Matchups and Channels
The schedule gets heavy through January and February. Here is how the next few weeks look on your TV:
- January 22: At Penn State. You'll find this one on FS1 at 6 PM.
- January 25: USC at the Kohl Center. This is the Peacock game. 3 PM tip.
- January 28: Minnesota at home. Back to the Big Ten Network for an 8 PM start.
- January 31: Ohio State comes to Madison. This is a big one on FOX at 1 PM.
Notice the pattern? There isn't one. You've got a Thursday night game on cable, a Sunday afternoon game on a streaming app, and a Saturday afternoon game on a major national network. It’s a lot to track.
The Peacock Problem (and Solution)
People get weird about Peacock. I get it. Nobody wants another $7.99 monthly charge just to watch the Badgers play a January conference game. But the reality is that the Big Ten's $7 billion media rights deal baked these streaming exclusives into the cake.
If you’re a student, you can actually snag a deal for about $3 a month. For everyone else, it’s worth checking if your internet provider bundles it. Otherwise, you’re basically paying for a "day pass" to see the USC game or the late-February trip to Oregon.
Is it annoying? Totally. But the broadcast quality is actually pretty high. They use the same crews you see on NBC, and the 4K stream is often crisper than what you get on standard cable compressed signals.
Why the Network Choice Matters for the Badger Men’s Basketball TV Schedule
You might notice that the badger men’s basketball tv schedule heavily features FOX this year. There’s a reason for that. FOX has positioned itself as the primary home for Big Ten hoops, often using the Badgers as their "prime" Saturday afternoon draw.
The Badgers have six games on FOX this season. That’s a lot. It usually means higher production values, more cameras, and—let's be real—more commercials. But it also means the program is getting national eyes, which helps with recruiting.
When you see a game on CBS, like the regular-season finale against Purdue on March 7, that’s the "gold standard." CBS only picks up a dozen or so Big Ten games a year. If Wisconsin is on there, it means the game has major implications for the conference title or NCAA Tournament seeding.
Navigating the 18-Team Big Ten Era
With UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington now in the mix, the "TV schedule" has some weird time slots. We're seeing 9 PM or even 10 PM tips for those West Coast road games.
Take the February 25 game at Oregon. That’s a 10 PM start on the East Coast. If you’re watching from Madison, you’re looking at a late night on a Wednesday. These games often land on FS1 or BTN because they fit those late-night "after dark" windows that the networks love to fill.
- Check the app first. If you can’t find the game on your cable guide, check the FOX Sports or NBC app.
- B1G+ is for the "extras." If it’s an exhibition or a very early non-conference game (like the Campbell opener), it’s usually on B1G+. By now, in the heart of the season, most games have moved to "real" TV.
- Radio is the fallback. If the tech fails, Matt Lepay is still the best in the business on the Badger Radio Network.
Watching Without Cable
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo carry BTN, FS1, FOX, and CBS. However, you still have to remember that Peacock is a separate entity. You won't find the Peacock games on your YouTube TV guide. You have to switch inputs or apps.
It's a clunky system. I’ve spent many a Tuesday night frantically trying to remember my Peacock password while the tip-off is already happening. My advice? Log in the day before. Make sure the app is updated on your Smart TV. There is nothing worse than an "Update Required" screen when Steven Crowl is lining up for the opening jump.
Actionable Steps for the Rest of the Season
- Audit your subscriptions now. Check if you have Peacock for the January 25 USC game and the late-February West Coast trip.
- Sync your calendar. Most official team sites offer a "Sync to Calendar" feature that will automatically update tip times and channels as they are finalized.
- Download the FOX Sports App. Even if you have cable, the app allows you to watch on the go, and it often has fewer "glitches" than some local cable streaming interfaces.
- Prepare for the Tournament. The Big Ten Tournament (March 10-15) will be a mix of Peacock, BTN, and CBS. The early rounds (Tuesday/Wednesday) are increasingly moving to Peacock exclusives.
Stay on top of the schedule, keep your remotes close, and get ready for the home stretch. The road to the United Center for the Big Ten Tournament goes through a lot of different channels this year.