Tracking down exactly where to watch BYU game broadcasts has become something of a part-time job. Honestly, the days of just flipping to one channel and seeing the Cougars every Saturday are long gone. Ever since the jump to the Big 12, the media rights have turned into a massive jigsaw puzzle involving five different national broadcasters and a handful of streaming apps that you probably already pay for but can never find the password to when tip-off is three minutes away.
Right now, BYU is smack in the middle of a high-stakes 2025-2026 basketball season, and if you’re looking for tonight’s matchup against No. 15 Texas Tech (January 17, 2026), you’ll need to find ESPN.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Depending on the week, the Cougars might be on FOX, CBS, or even tucked away on Peacock. It’s a lot. If you’re feeling a bit lost in the streaming woods, you aren't alone. Here is the actual, no-nonsense breakdown of how to catch every minute of the action without losing your mind.
Where to Watch BYU Game: The 2026 Broadcast Reality
The Big 12’s current media deal is basically a buffet. They’ve partnered with ESPN, FOX, CBS, TNT, and even NBC (via Peacock). This is great for the conference's bank account—pushing per-school payouts toward that $50 million mark—but it’s a headache for fans.
💡 You might also like: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
For the remainder of the 2026 winter season, the TV schedule is split across these primary hubs:
- The ESPN Family: This is the big one. Most conference games, including the upcoming gauntlet against Kansas (Jan 26) and Houston (Feb 7), land on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU.
- Big 12 Now on ESPN+: Don't confuse this with regular ESPN. Some games are exclusive to the app. If it’s not on a "linear" channel, it’s probably here.
- FOX and FS1: BYU has a massive primetime slot against Arizona on FOX (Jan 24). They also frequently pop up on FS1 for those late-night weekday games.
- CBS and CBS Sports Network: CBS took the New Year's window, but you’ll still see the Cougars on CBS Sports Network (CBSSN) for specific mid-tier matchups.
- Peacock: This is the new kid on the block. NBC’s streaming service has exclusive rights to several Big 12 games this year. If you don't have a subscription, you’re blacked out for those specific dates.
The Streaming Struggle is Real
If you’ve ditched cable, you have a few ways to skin this cat. Most fans are gravitating toward Hulu + Live TV because it’s basically the only one that bundles ESPN+ into the base price. Since BYU has so many "Big 12 Now" games on ESPN+, it saves you about ten bucks a month.
YouTube TV is the other heavy hitter. It’s got the best interface—no contest—and carries all the locals (ABC, CBS, FOX) plus the sports mainstays like FS1 and ESPN. But you’ll have to pay for ESPN+ and Peacock separately. It adds up. Fast.
Fubo is decent if you’re a sports purist, but they still have that weird dispute where they don't carry TNT. Since BYU opened the season on TNT against Villanova, Fubo users were left in the dark for the opener. Just something to keep in mind if the Cougars make a deep run in the Big 12 Tournament, which is often split between ESPN and TNT/TBS platforms.
📖 Related: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
What About the Old BYUtv?
A lot of fans still ask: "Can't I just watch it on BYUtv for free?"
The short answer? No. Not the live games, anyway.
Because BYU is a full member of the Big 12, the conference owns those live broadcast rights. BYUtv can’t just air a live football or basketball game because ESPN and FOX paid hundreds of millions of dollars for the exclusive right to do that.
However, BYUtv is still the king of "everything else." You’ve got BYU Sports Nation every day at noon MT, which is basically required viewing for any serious fan. They also do the pre-game and post-game shows. If you want to watch the game replays, they usually show up on the BYUtv app about 24 to 48 hours after the final whistle, depending on the specific contract for that game.
👉 See also: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
Watching from Outside the US
If you’re a Cougar fan living in Canada, the UK, or anywhere else, things get even weirder. Usually, international rights are handled by ESPN Player or local providers, but many fans end up using a VPN to access their US-based YouTube TV or Hulu accounts. Just make sure your VPN is high-speed; there’s nothing worse than a pixelated AJ Dybantsa (the freshman phenom) dunking in 144p resolution.
Essential Next Steps for Fans
Stop guessing where the game is every week. The schedule shifts constantly based on "TV windows" that networks don't announce until 6 to 12 days before the game.
- Download the BYU Cougars App: It’s the most accurate way to see the updated TV listings.
- Audit your subs: If you don't have ESPN+ and Peacock, you are guaranteed to miss at least 3-4 games this season.
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official BYU Athletics site and use the "Add to Calendar" feature. It usually updates the "Location/TV" field automatically once the networks make their pick.
The Big 12 is a grind, and honestly, the broadcast schedule is just as relentless. Stay prepared so you aren't scrolling through channel guides while the ball is already in the air.