You’ve been there. It’s 11:30 AM on a Saturday, the coffee is barely touching your system, and you’re already frantically scrolling through the guide because you heard the Buckeyes are on. Chances are, if it’s a massive matchup, you’re looking for the Ohio State game Fox broadcast.
It has become a ritual. Or a curse, depending on how much you hate noon kickoffs.
But there is a specific science to why Ohio State ends up on Fox so often, and it isn't just a coincidence. It's a billion-dollar chess match involving media rights, "Big Noon Saturday" branding, and the simple fact that Ohio State is the biggest TV draw in the country. Let’s get into what’s actually happening behind the scenes and why your Saturday schedule looks the way it does.
The Big Noon Saturday Factor
Fox changed the game back in 2019. Before that, the "big game" was almost always at night. You’d wait all day for ABC or ESPN to kick off at 7:30 PM. Fox decided to flip the script. They realized that if they put their best game at noon Eastern, they’d own that time slot without any competition.
Honestly, it worked.
The Ohio State game Fox partnership has anchored this strategy. Because the Buckeyes have a massive, national alumni base, they pull ratings that other schools can’t touch. In the 2025 season, we saw this reach a fever pitch. Think about the season opener against Texas. That was a rematch of the previous year's Playoff, and Fox fought tooth and nail to keep it at noon.
There was actually a lot of drama behind that. Ohio politicians even got involved, trying to push for a night game. Fox didn't budge. Why? Because 10 million people will watch Ohio State at noon, even if the fans in the stadium are melting in the August heat.
Why "The Game" is Always on Fox
If you're looking for the Michigan game, don't even bother checking other channels. Under the current media rights deal, which runs through 2029-30, Fox has a stranglehold on the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry.
It is the crown jewel of their sports portfolio.
In 2025, when the Buckeyes headed to Ann Arbor, the broadcast was the most-watched regular-season game of the year. Fox doesn't just show the game; they turn it into a four-hour infomercial for the Big Ten. You've got Gus Johnson screaming "World-class!" and Joel Klatt breaking down RPO schemes until your head spins.
Here is the breakdown of how the TV rights are split now among the Big Ten partners:
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- Fox: Gets the first pick of games most weeks. They almost always take Ohio State for the noon slot.
- CBS: Takes the 3:30 PM slot.
- NBC: Handles the primetime "Big Ten Saturday Night" window.
Because Fox usually has the "No. 1" pick in the draft of games, they take the Buckeyes. This is why you rarely see Ohio State at 3:30 PM on CBS anymore. If Fox wants them, Fox gets them.
The 2026 Shift: Basketball and Beyond
Right now, in January 2026, the focus has shifted to the hardwood. If you were looking for the Ohio State game Fox today, Saturday, Jan. 17, you actually might have missed them—they played UCLA on CBS at 1:00 PM.
But don't think Fox is out of the loop.
Fox still carries a heavy slate of Big Ten basketball. They use the same "Big Noon" branding for hoops, often featuring the Buckeyes when they face off against teams like Indiana or Michigan State. The network's investment in the school isn't just about football; it’s about a year-round presence in Columbus.
What about the Big Ten Championship?
This is where it gets slightly confusing. The media partners—Fox, CBS, and NBC—actually rotate who gets the Big Ten Championship Game.
- 2023: Fox
- 2024: CBS
- 2025: Fox
- 2026: NBC
So, while Fox is the "home" of the Buckeyes during the regular season, the 2026 Big Ten Championship (should Ohio State make it back there in December) will actually be on NBC. It’s a bit of a carousel, but Fox remains the primary destination for the bulk of the schedule.
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The Money Behind the Screen
In late 2025, reports surfaced about a massive $2.4 billion private equity proposal for the Big Ten's media rights. While that deal is still being debated by schools like Michigan and USC, the core reality is that Ohio State is the reason the number is so high.
The Buckeyes are estimated to bring in nearly $190 million in upfront value under these new distribution models.
When you see a commercial for The Masked Singer for the tenth time during a third-quarter timeout, remember: those ad dollars are what’s paying for the new training facilities and NIL collectives in Columbus. It’s a symbiotic relationship. Fox needs the Buckeyes to win the ratings war against the SEC on ESPN, and Ohio State needs the Fox check to keep the lights on.
Real Talk: The Fan Experience
Let's be real for a second. The "Big Noon" thing is polarizing.
If you're a student, a 12:00 PM kickoff means you're tailgating at 7:00 AM. It's rough. If you're a fan watching from the West Coast, the game starts at 9:00 AM. You're eating wings with your breakfast burrito.
But from a purely tactical standpoint, it has given the Big Ten a dedicated identity. You know exactly where to find the Buckeyes. You don't have to hunt through four different cable channels to find the Ohio State game Fox broadcast—it’s just there.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the broadcast schedule, here is how you should actually track things:
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- The "12-Day ISO" Rule: Most game times and networks aren't set in stone until 12 days before kickoff. Some high-profile games (like the 2025 Texas game or Michigan) are set months in advance, but for everything else, wait for that two-week window.
- Download the Fox Sports App: Seriously. If you’re traveling, the app is significantly more stable than trying to use a mobile browser. It also gives you access to the "Bonus Cams" which sometimes show different angles of the stadium.
- Check the "Big Noon" Schedule: Fox usually announces the first three weeks of the season in May. If Ohio State has a big non-conference opponent in the first three weeks, mark your calendar for noon. It’s almost a guarantee.
- Antenna vs. Streaming: Since Fox is a broadcast network, you can get the game for free with a $20 over-the-air antenna. You don’t need a $70/month streaming sub if you only care about the local Fox affiliate.
The relationship between the Buckeyes and Fox is the strongest partnership in college sports right now. Whether you love the early starts or hate them, the "Big Noon" era isn't going anywhere. It’s built on ratings, revenue, and the fact that when Ohio State is on the screen, the whole country is watching.
Keep an eye on the 2026 football schedule release this spring; you can bet Fox will already be circling at least three or four dates in red.
To make sure you never miss a kickoff, sync your digital calendar directly with the official Ohio State Buckeyes athletics site, which automatically updates game times and TV networks as soon as the Big Ten office confirms them.