You’re sitting there, jersey on, chips ready, and the realization hits: you have no idea where the game is actually playing. It happens to the best of us. Since Texas made the jump to the SEC, the whole "finding the game" routine has changed quite a bit. Gone are the days of the Longhorn Network being your primary destination for everything Burnt Orange. Now, you’re dealing with a massive rotation of national networks, streaming exclusives, and conference-specific channels.
Honestly, tracking down the Texas Longhorns what channel answer depends entirely on the week and the sport. If it’s football, you’re looking at a heavy dose of ABC and ESPN. If it’s basketball, you might find yourself digging through the depths of SEC Network+ or even catching a rare appearance on FOX.
The Core Networks for Longhorn Football
The 2025-2026 cycle has been a wild ride. Because Texas is a ratings magnet, they rarely get tucked away on obscure channels, but the SEC's media deal with Disney means ABC is effectively the new home for the biggest games.
When the Horns played Ohio State earlier this season, that was a FOX broadcast—a bit of an outlier due to Big Ten hosting rules. But for the meat of the SEC schedule, like the recent clashes with Georgia or the upcoming rivalry games, ABC is the primary spot. If the game isn't on ABC, it's almost certainly on ESPN or the SEC Network.
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Quick Cheat Sheet for Game Day
- National Marquee Games: ABC or ESPN. These are usually the 2:30 PM or 6:30 PM CT slots.
- Conference Matchups: SEC Network. These often fill the 11:00 AM or late afternoon windows.
- Non-Conference/Early Season: Occasionally ESPN+ or SEC Network+. This is where people get tripped up.
- The Red River Rivalry: This is almost strictly an ABC tradition now.
Is the Longhorn Network Still a Thing?
This is the part that still confuses folks. The Longhorn Network (LHN) as a standalone, linear cable channel basically sunsetted its traditional format when Texas joined the SEC in July 2024. It has essentially been folded into the SEC Network ecosystem.
You can still find "Longhorn Network" branded content, but it’s mostly a digital streaming presence now. You’ll use it for coaches' shows, highlights, and historical replays. You aren't going to find the Oklahoma game live on the old LHN channel on your cable box anymore. That’s a major shift for fans who grew up with 24/7 Beevo coverage.
Watching Texas Basketball on TV
Basketball season is a different beast. Head coach Rodney Terry has the Horns playing a schedule that is spread across every letter in the alphabet.
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For the 2025-26 season, the team has a huge chunk of games—about 26 of them—on "linear" TV. That’s industry speak for "regular channels." You’ll find them on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU. The SEC Network carries a ton of the mid-week conference games.
The "gotcha" moments happen with the games labeled SEC Network+.
Listen, SEC Network+ is NOT a channel you can find by flipping through your TV guide. It is a digital stream. To watch these, you have to use the ESPN App on your phone, tablet, or smart TV. You’ll need to log in with your provider credentials (like YouTube TV, Hulu, or Cox) to "unlock" the stream. If you’re trying to watch a game against a team like Rider or Sam Houston, this is likely where you'll end up.
Streaming Options Without Cable
If you've cut the cord, you actually have it easier in some ways. Most of the major streaming services carry the entire "Disney family" of networks, which is where Texas lives now.
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- Hulu + Live TV: This is arguably the most seamless. It includes ABC, all the ESPNs, and the SEC Network. Plus, it usually bundles ESPN+, which covers those "plus" games I mentioned.
- YouTube TV: Very popular for the multiview feature during college football Saturdays. It carries everything you need for the Horns, though you might need to add the 4K package if you want that crisp DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium look.
- Fubo: Great for sports, but keep an eye on the pricing. It’s often a bit higher once you add the necessary sports tiers to get the SEC Network.
- Sling TV: The budget pick. You’ll need the "Orange" package for ESPN, and you’ll have to add the "Sports Extra" pack to get the SEC Network. Just be aware that Sling doesn't offer ABC in every single market, so you might need an antenna for the big games.
Why Does the Channel Change Every Week?
It feels like a conspiracy, but it’s just "flex scheduling." The networks usually don't announce the exact channel and kickoff time until 6 to 12 days before the game. They wait to see who is winning and which matchup will pull the most viewers.
If Texas is undefeated, they're going to be on ABC at night. If they've dropped a couple of games, they might slide to an 11:00 AM kick on the SEC Network. It sucks for planning your tailgate, but that's the reality of modern college sports.
Actionable Steps for the Next Game
- Download the ESPN App now. Don't wait until five minutes before tip-off or kickoff. Get your login sorted so you aren't staring at a "Login Required" screen while the Horns are scoring.
- Check the official Texas Athletics site. TexasSports.com is the only place that is 100% accurate. Third-party sites often lag behind on late-breaking schedule changes.
- Look for the "Plus" sign. If the schedule says SECN+, remember that it's a stream, not a channel.
- Sync your calendar. Most team sites offer a "Sync to Calendar" button that automatically updates the time and channel on your phone as they are announced.