Look, trying to figure out when to turn on the golf shouldn't feel like a part-time job. But here we are. It is Thursday, January 15, 2026, and if you’re asking about the masters on tv today what time right now, you might actually be looking for the Snooker Masters over at Alexandra Palace—which is currently in the thick of the quarter-finals.
If you are hunting for the green jackets and the azaleas of Augusta, take a breath. We’re still a few months out from the 90th Masters Tournament. But 2026 is actually a massive year for how we watch this thing. For the first time ever, the broadcast map has shifted. Amazon is in the mix now. Yeah, you heard that right. Prime Video is jumping into the fairway alongside the old guard of CBS and ESPN.
Masters on TV Today What Time: The 2026 Tournament Schedule
The actual Masters week at Augusta National is set for April 6 through April 12, 2026. If you are looking at your calendar for today, January 15, the golfers are likely grinding out the Sony Open in Hawaii or just enjoying the off-season.
But for those of us who like to plan our lives around the first major of the year, the TV windows for April are already locked in. Honestly, it’s a bit different than the "traditional" schedule you’re used to because of the new streaming deals.
The Thursday and Friday Rounds (April 9–10)
Traditionally, you’d wait until mid-afternoon for ESPN to wake up and start showing the lead groups. Not this year.
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- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET: Prime Video. This is the new "early bird" window.
- 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET: ESPN. They still own the late afternoon and early evening block.
The morning tee times usually start around 8:00 AM ET with the honorary starters (the legends like Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player), but the "big" TV broadcast doesn't kick in until that 1 PM Amazon slot.
The Weekend Drama (April 11–12)
Saturday and Sunday—the "Moving Day" and the final sprint—remain mostly the domain of CBS, but with a Paramount+ appetizer.
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET: Paramount+ (Exclusive lead-in coverage).
- 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET: CBS. This is where Jim Nantz and that familiar piano music take over.
The Sunday finish is usually timed to wrap up by 7:00 PM ET, just in time for the Green Jacket ceremony in Butler Cabin.
Wait, Why is Amazon Showing the Masters?
It’s the question everyone’s asking. Basically, Augusta National decided they wanted more live coverage out there. They’ve always been protective of their "limited commercials" and "purity of the broadcast," but the demand for live shots before 3 PM on a Thursday was just too high to ignore.
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Amazon Prime Video is paying for a two-hour block that acts as a bridge. You get the early leaders, the guys who went off at 9 AM and are making their turn toward Amen Corner. It's a win for fans who used to have to rely on the (admittedly excellent) Masters app to see anything before the late afternoon.
If You're Looking for the Snooker Masters Today
Since today is January 15, 2026, you are likely seeing "The Masters" all over your sports news because of the Snooker Masters in London. That tournament is live right now.
If that’s why you’re here, here is the breakdown for today’s quarter-final matches:
- John Higgins vs. Zhao Xintong: Started at 1:00 PM local time (8:00 AM ET).
- Judd Trump vs. Mark Allen: This is the big evening session starting at 7:00 PM local time (2:00 PM ET).
You can catch that on BBC Two or the BBC iPlayer if you’re in the UK, or through various international streaming rights holders if you’re stateside.
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Getting Your Setup Ready for April
If you’re a golf purist, 2026 is going to feel a little fragmented. You basically need three or four different logins to see every single shot. Gone are the days of just "flipping to channel 4."
The Streaming Checklist:
- The Masters App/Masters.com: Still the gold standard. They’ll have "Featured Groups" and "Amen Corner" live streams all day for free.
- Prime Video: Necessary for the 1 PM - 3 PM window on Thursday/Friday.
- ESPN+: Likely to carry the bulk of the early morning featured group coverage.
- Paramount+: Crucial for the Saturday/Sunday early afternoon coverage before the CBS broadcast starts.
Honestly, the best way to do it is to keep the Masters App open on a tablet for the niche shots and have the main TV on whatever the current broadcast window is.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure you don't miss the 2026 Masters when April finally rolls around, do these three things now:
- Check your Amazon Prime status. If you only have it for packages, make sure the app is installed on your TV. You’ll need it for those first two days.
- Mark April 9, 2026. That’s the official Round 1. Set a reminder for 1:00 PM ET for the TV broadcast start.
- Bookmark the official Masters site. Their live-tracking and "My Group" feature is still the best way to follow specific players like Rory McIlroy (who is still hunting that elusive career grand slam) or Scottie Scheffler.
The tournament is only a few months away. Augusta is already looking green, and the schedule is set in stone. Just make sure you’ve got your logins ready so you aren't scrambling for a password while someone is draining a 40-footer on the 13th.