So, you’re just trying to watch Giannis and the crew, but somehow you need four different apps and a prayer to find the right channel. It’s frustrating. Honestly, the 2025-26 season has turned the milwaukee bucks tv schedule into a bit of a scavenger hunt. Gone are the days when you could just flip to one or two spots and call it a night.
With the NBA’s massive new media rights deal kicking in, the landscape has shifted. We’re talking about a mix of local broadcasts, traditional cable giants, and a growing list of streaming-only exclusives. If you feel like you're constantly Googling "what channel is the Bucks game on" five minutes before tip-off, you’re definitely not alone.
The Big Switch: Where the Games Actually Live
The biggest headache for most fans right now is the rebranding of the local network. What used to be Bally Sports is now FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. That’s the "home base" for the team. They’re handling 71 games this season. If you’re living in-market (basically anywhere in Wisconsin or the immediate surrounding regions), this is your primary destination.
But here is where it gets weird. Even if you have the local network, you aren't covered for everything. The league has leaned hard into "exclusive" windows.
For instance, the January stretch is a perfect example of this chaos. Take a look at how messy this gets:
- On January 19, the Bucks play the Hawks at 1:00 p.m. ET. That’s a Peacock exclusive.
- Just two days later, on January 21 against OKC, you have to find ESPN.
- Then on January 23 against Denver, the game moves over to Amazon Prime Video.
You've basically got to jump from a subscription service to cable to another subscription service in the span of five days. It’s a lot to keep track of, especially when you just want to see if Dame is hitting from the logo.
National TV and the NBC Return
One of the coolest—and most confusing—parts of this year's milwaukee bucks tv schedule is the return of the NBA on NBC. After decades away, NBC is back in the mix. For the Bucks, this means high-profile Tuesday and Sunday night games.
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On January 27, for example, the Bucks travel to Philly to take on the 76ers. That game is a big-time NBC broadcast. The catch? Most of these NBC games are simulcast on Peacock. If you’re a cord-cutter, Peacock has actually become a bit of a "must-have" for Bucks fans this year because they carry those NBC games plus their own exclusives.
Breaking Down the Next Few Weeks
If you’re planning your life around the team, here is the upcoming slate of games you should keep an eye on. Times are generally Eastern, so adjust accordingly if you're holding it down in the 414.
Late January Highlights:
- Jan 21: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (9:30 PM) – ESPN
- Jan 23: vs. Denver Nuggets (8:30 PM) – Amazon Prime Video
- Jan 25: vs. Dallas Mavericks (6:00 PM) – FanDuel Sports Network WI
- Jan 27: @ Philadelphia 76ers (8:00 PM) – NBC / Peacock
- Jan 29: @ Washington Wizards (7:00 PM) – Amazon Prime Video
Heading Into February:
- Feb 1: @ Boston Celtics (3:30 PM) – ABC
- Feb 3: vs. Chicago Bulls (8:00 PM) – FanDuel Sports Network WI
- Feb 4: vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8:00 PM) – FanDuel Sports Network WI
How to Actually Watch Without Losing Your Mind
If you're done with traditional cable, you have a few paths. Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM are the big hitters because they are among the few that actually carry FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. If you go with YouTube TV, you’ll get the ESPN and NBC games, but you'll be blacked out of the local ones. It’s a trade-off.
For those outside of Wisconsin, NBA League Pass is still the gold standard. But—and this is a big "but"—if the game is on ESPN, ABC, NBC, or Prime Video, League Pass will black you out. You only get the local feeds for games that aren't being shown to the whole country.
A Pro Tip on the "Simulcasts"
Something most people overlook is the local over-the-air deals. The Bucks actually have a handful of games—about eight this season—that air on local "free" TV. Keep an eye on WMLW The M in Milwaukee. They occasionally pick up games that are also on FanDuel Sports Network, which is great if you have a digital antenna and want to save some cash.
The Streaming Era is Officially Here
We have to talk about Amazon. They aren't just a "nice to have" anymore. With five exclusive games on the milwaukee bucks tv schedule this year, plus their coverage of the NBA Cup, Prime Video has become a major player. If you already pay for shipping, you’re set. If not, you’re missing about 6% of the season right there.
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It’s also worth mentioning that the broadcast teams haven't changed much despite the network shuffles. Lisa Byington and Marques Johnson are still the voices you'll hear on the local side. Their chemistry is top-tier, and honestly, Marques's analysis is worth the price of admission (or the subscription fee) alone.
To stay ahead of the curve, your best bet is to download the NBA app and "follow" the Bucks. It’ll sync the schedule to your phone’s calendar, often including the specific channel for your region. Just remember that if you see a game listed as "National," your local FanDuel Sports Network feed might still be available unless it’s an "Exclusive" (like those Prime Video or Peacock games).
Check your local listings at least 24 hours in advance, as the NBA loves to flex marquee matchups into better time slots if a team—or a specific superstar—is on a hot streak. If the Bucks keep rolling, expect more of those late-season games to get bumped to ABC or NBC.
Actionable Next Steps
To ensure you never miss a tip-off, your first move should be to verify your "Home Territory" status on the FanDuel Sports Network website by entering your zip code; this confirms if you'll be hit by local blackouts on League Pass. Next, if you are a cord-cutter, prioritize a subscription to Peacock for the remainder of the season, as the "NBA on NBC" Sunday and Tuesday night schedule picks up significantly in February and March. Finally, check your Amazon Prime account settings to ensure you have the "Live Sports" notifications enabled, which will alert you to the exclusive Thursday and Friday night broadcasts that don't appear on traditional cable.