Look, I get it. You just sat down, you have your snacks ready, and you’re frantically scrolling through the guide because "UT" could mean three different things depending on where you live or who you root for. It’s annoying. Whether you are looking for the Texas Longhorns, the Utah Utes, or maybe even the Tennessee Volunteers, finding the right channel shouldn’t feel like a part-time job.
Today is Friday, January 16, 2026. If you're looking for the Texas Longhorns or the Utah Utes, the situation is a bit specific today. We aren't in the middle of football season anymore—Texas actually just capped off their year with a 41-27 win over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl a couple of weeks ago.
But if you are asking what channel is the ut game on today for basketball or other sports, here is the breakdown of what's actually happening on the court and in the pool right now.
Is There a Texas Longhorns Game Today?
Actually, the Texas men's basketball team is off tonight. They just played Vanderbilt a few days ago and they have a massive rivalry game against Texas A&M coming up tomorrow, Saturday, January 17. That game will be on ESPN at 5:00 p.m. CT.
However, if you are a die-hard Horns fan and just need to watch something UT related today, the Longhorns are active in other sports.
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- Track & Field: The team is currently in Lubbock for the Corky Classic. Most of these indoor meets are streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
- Swimming & Diving: Both the men’s and women’s teams are hosting the TYR Pro Swim Series right there in Austin at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. Usually, these events are broadcast via USA Swimming's network or sometimes picked up by Peacock.
Honestly, the "main" event you’re likely looking for is the basketball game against the Aggies, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow afternoon for that one.
What About the Utah Utes?
If by "UT" you mean the University of Utah, things are a little busier today, January 16. The Utes have a heavy schedule in the "Olympic" sports.
The Utah Swimming and Diving teams are competing in the Big 12 West Championship all day today. Since Utah moved to the Big 12, most of their "non-revenue" sports—which is a kind of a mean name for sports that don't involve a pigskin—live on ESPN+.
The Utah men's basketball team, much like Texas, is resting up today. They have a home game against TCU tomorrow at noon. You’ll be able to find that one on the Big 12 Network or ESPN+.
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What Channel Is the UT Game on Today for Pro Fans?
Now, here is where it gets slightly confusing for folks in Salt Lake City. If you are looking for the "Utah game" and you mean the NHL, the Utah Mammoth (formerly the Arizona Coyotes) just played the Dallas Stars last night. They won 2-1 thanks to a late goal by John Marino.
They don't play today. Their next game is a Saturday matinee against the Seattle Kraken.
If you're looking for the Utah Jazz, they also have the night off. They are scheduled to face the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. EST. It seems like Friday, January 16, is a bit of a "prep day" for almost every team with a UT initials.
Why Finding the Right Channel Is Such a Headache
Streaming has basically ruined the simplicity of "channel surfing." It's not just about flipping to ESPN anymore. Between the SEC Network, Longhorn Network (which has mostly folded into the SEC Network now), and the Big 12 Now packages, you basically need a spreadsheet to keep track of where your team is playing.
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For the Texas Longhorns, since they moved to the SEC, your best bet is usually:
- SEC Network (The default for most basketball and baseball)
- ESPN/ESPN2 (For the high-profile matchups)
- ABC (Usually reserved for the biggest football games)
For the Utah Utes, now that they are in the Big 12, the logic has changed:
- ESPN+ (You almost have to have this now if you're a Big 12 fan)
- FS1 or FOX (They pick up a lot of the Tier 1 rights)
- CBS Sports Network (Occasionally used for mid-week basketball)
Actionable Steps to Never Miss a Game Again
If you're tired of Googling "what channel is the ut game on today" five minutes before tip-off, here is what you should actually do to stay ahead of the curve.
First, download the official team apps. The "Texas Longhorns" app and the "Utah Athletics" app are surprisingly good at sending push notifications about 30 minutes before a game starts telling you exactly which channel or streaming service has the rights.
Second, check the "Composite Schedule" on the university's athletic website. Most people just check the football or basketball page, but the composite schedule shows you every single sport happening that day.
Lastly, if you're a cord-cutter, make sure your live TV streaming service (like YouTube TV or Fubo) has the "Sports Plus" add-on. Without it, you’ll often find yourself blacked out of the very games you pay the most to see. For tomorrow's Texas vs. A&M game, make sure your ESPN login is active and ready to go by 4:30 p.m. to avoid those "technical difficulty" login loops.