If you’re scrambling to find what channel are the bucks on tonight, I have some news that might save you a few minutes of frustration with your remote. The Milwaukee Bucks are actually off tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Honestly, after the rough patch they've been having, the team probably needs the breather. They just came off a tough road loss against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, where they couldn't quite contain Victor Wembanyama. If you saw that game, you know the score didn't really tell the whole story of how much they struggled to find a rhythm. They don't take the court again until Monday, January 19, for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.
Where to Find the Next Bucks Game
Since there's no game tonight, you should probably prep for Monday’s matinee. That game against the Hawks is going to be a bit different than your standard local broadcast.
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM CT (1:00 PM ET)
- Primary Channel: Peacock (Exclusive)
- Radio: 620 WTMJ or 103.3 FM
The move to Peacock is part of the NBA's new media deal that kicked in for this 2025-26 season. It’s kinda annoying if you don’t have a subscription, but that’s where the league is heading. For local fans in Wisconsin, you won’t find this one on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin—it's a national streaming exclusive.
Understanding the New TV Landscape for the Bucks
You've probably noticed that finding the Bucks has become a scavenger hunt lately. Between the rebranding of regional sports networks and the new NBC/Amazon/Disney deal, it’s a lot. Basically, the days of just turning on "Channel 4" or "Bally" are long gone.
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The FanDuel Sports Network Factor
Most nights, when the Bucks are playing a regular season game, your go-to is FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (formerly Bally Sports). They still carry about 71 of the 82 regular-season games. If you’re in-market—meaning you live in Wisconsin or parts of the surrounding states—this is where Lisa Byington and the crew live.
If you’ve cut the cord, your options for this specific channel are pretty slim:
- Fubo: They carry it, but it's getting pricier.
- DIRECTV STREAM: Still the most reliable "cable-like" experience for local sports.
- FanDuel Sports Network App: You can subscribe directly for a monthly fee.
National Broadcasts: NBC and Amazon Prime
This year, the NBA started its new deal with NBCUniversal and Amazon. This is why you’ll see the Bucks popping up on Peacock on Tuesdays or Prime Video on Thursdays. It’s a total shift from the old TNT Tuesday/Thursday routine we grew up with.
When the Bucks are on these platforms, they are usually "blacked out" on the local Wisconsin channel. So, if you're asking what channel are the bucks on tonight and it’s a Thursday, your first check should always be the Amazon Prime app.
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Why the Schedule Matters Right Now
The Bucks are sitting at 17-24 as of mid-January. That’s... not great. Doc Rivers is under a lot of pressure, and the defense has been hovering around 19th in the league. Giannis has been dealing with a nagging ankle issue, and while he’s been playing through it, the "questionable" tag is basically a permanent fixture on the injury report.
If you're planning your week, here is the upcoming schedule so you aren't searching at the last second:
- Monday, Jan 19 @ Atlanta: 12:00 PM on Peacock.
- Wednesday, Jan 21 vs. OKC: 8:30 PM on ESPN and FanDuel Sports Network.
- Friday, Jan 23 vs. Denver: 7:00 PM on Prime Video.
- Sunday, Jan 25 vs. Dallas: 6:00 PM on FanDuel Sports Network.
That Wednesday game against the Thunder is going to be massive. It’s one of those rare "simulcast" games where it’s on both ESPN and the local regional network.
What About Out-of-Market Fans?
If you’re a Bucks fan living in, say, California or Florida, your life is actually a lot easier. NBA League Pass is your best friend. It carries every game that isn't being shown on national TV (like ESPN, ABC, or NBC).
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Just a heads up though: the "national" list now includes those Peacock and Amazon Prime games. League Pass won't show those live. You'll still need those specific streaming apps to catch Giannis and Dame in action on those nights.
How to Never Miss a Tip-Off
The easiest way to keep track of this mess is to sync the Bucks schedule to your phone calendar. The NBA app does this pretty well. It automatically updates with the correct TV station based on your location.
Also, don't sleep on the radio. If you’re driving through the Dairy State, 620 WTMJ is still the gold standard. There’s something about hearing the squeak of the floors and the roar of the Fiserv Forum crowd over the airwaves that just feels right, especially during those winter snowstorms.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your Peacock login: Since Monday’s game is a Peacock exclusive, make sure your subscription is active before the 12:00 PM tip-off.
- Update your FanDuel Sports Network app: If you use the app to stream, they've been pushing updates lately to handle the increased traffic—don't let an "update required" screen stop you mid-game.
- Bookmark the official NBA schedule page: TV assignments can change with only a few days' notice if a game gets "flexed" into a national spot.