The Big Ten Network (BTN) is a sports network that focuses specifically on the collegiate Big Ten Conference. The channel was founded in 2007 by the Big Ten Conference and FOX Entertainment. Even though FOX Corporation significantly downsized in 2019, selling many of its assets to The Walt Disney Company, it still retained sports networks like Big Ten Network, FS1, and FS2. This is good news for cord-cutters as these channels were unaffected by the acquisition and are readily available via over-the-top (OTT) cable-alternative services.
So, what are some of the best ways to watch Big Ten Network online? Find out how to stream BTN with OTT services below.
Ways to watch Big Ten Network
The Big Ten Network broadcasts a vast menu of original programming and sports coverage. As part of the NCAA, the Big Ten Network televises live men and women’s sports like baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey, and softball. These also include tournaments for events like cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, rowing, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, and wrestling.
The Big Ten Network, along with all of your other favorite sports channels, is available with an online streaming service. With OTT cable-alternative services, you won’t need to worry about contracts or hidden fees. And you can watch live TV on your smartphone, smart TV, and tablet — along with other devices, depending on the streaming service.
Get Big Ten Network
Cable-alternative services provide live national TV networks that range from entertainment, lifestyle, news, and sports. Some even include local channels and regional sports networks (RSNs) and affiliates of ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Here are our favorites.
DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV each offer Big Ten Network and you can watch on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV or any other compatible device.
Find out more about each service, below.
How to Watch the Big Ten Network for Free
New subscribers looking to make the jump into streaming can take advantage of trials to watch live college football for free on the Big Ten Network. DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV each offer a free trial so you can test them out to make sure they’re the right fit for you.
You can find out more about each streaming service that carries the Big Ten Network, below.
How to watch the Big Ten Network on DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM offers the Big Ten Network in the DIRECTV STREAM Sports Pack add-on and in the Choice plan.
The DIRECTV Sports Pack add-on can be added to any DIRECTV STREAM plan. The add-on includes over 20 live sports channels from Big Ten Network, ACC Network, SEC Network, NFL Network, NFL RedZone, MLB Network, NHL Network, and more.
The Sports Pack is the perfect add-on to the Entertainment plan. The Entertainment plan is stacked with over 90 of the top entertainment, news, sports, lifestyle networks, and more.
Upgrade to the Choice plan, which has over 125 channels, including the Big Ten Network, and other major sports networks found in the Sports Pack and several Regional Sports Networks.
Each plan offers unlimited cloud DVR storage to record your favorite shows and the biggest moments of the season. Plus, you can stream on unlimited devices on your home network and 3 devices on the go.
New subscribers can take advantage of a 5-day free trial before subscribing.
How to watch the Big Ten Network on Fubo
If you’re a sports fan, Fubo is a viable option for watching Big Ten competition live. Fubo is a sports-focused streaming service. So although you get a diverse range of channels, many of them focus on live sports from national and international events. And you get more than 190 channels including live sports on Big Ten Network, CBS, NBC, FOX, FS1, CBS Sports Network, and any out-of-conference games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, SEC Network, ACC Network with the Pro plan.
With Fubo, subscribers can watch up to 10 screens at once and record their favorite shows, movies, and more with up to unlimited hours of DVR. Plus, the streamer offers live content and shows and movies on demand.
If you like what Fubo offers, sign up to enjoy the service for free during your trial period at the following link:
How to watch the Big Ten Network on Sling TV
For Big Ten sports fans who need something that’s more affordable than other streaming services, Sling TV makes the most sense. The service offers plans for almost twice as affordable as the other streaming options.
The Big Ten Network can be found in the Sports Extra add-on for an additional fee. You get access to the SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, and much more when you add it to one of the following base plans:
The Sling Orange plan gives you access to 30+ channels, including ESPN, ESPN2. Sling Blue plan comes with 40+ channels, including FS1, and ABC, NBC, and Fox are available in select markets. To get the best of both, you need the Sling Orange & Blue plan.
With Sling, subscribers can record their favorites with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage and the ability to stream on up to four devices depending on the plan.
Also, Sling offers a Season Pass for additional savings and new subscribers can get half off their first month at the following link:
How to watch the Big Ten Network on Hulu + Live TV
For those who love the hit originals from Hulu, a Hulu + Live TV subscription is an ideal way to stream Big Ten sports. This includes 95+ live channels in addition to The Disney Bundle which has 10,000+ on-demand titles from Hulu’s streaming library, tons of shows and movies from Disney+, and thousands of hours of live sports on ESPN+.
Hulu + Live TV packs a powerful punch for fans of the Big Ten. The streamer includes Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, and ACC Network in addition to popular news and entertainment networks.
New subscribers can try Hulu + Live TV for free for three days at the following link:
How to watch the Big Ten Network on YouTube TV
For those who need a comprehensive streaming solution that features the Big Ten Network, you can also go for YouTube TV. The service gives you a diverse mix of live TV channels with 100+ options. Not only this, you get unlimited cloud DVR storage by default with the service. And you can keep your recordings for up to 9 months.
The channel lineup includes live Big Ten sports on local NBC, CBS, FOX, and ABC affiliates and nationally televised games on Big Ten Network, FS1, CBS Sports Network, or any out-of-conference games on ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, and SEC Network. Plus, you can watch thousands of shows and movies on-demand.
With YouTube TV, the free trial varies, and new subscribers can save with various promotions at the following link:
Big Ten Network without cable FAQs
What other ways can I stream BTN outside of my cable-alternative app?
You have the option to stream the Big Ten Network online via your favorite web browser. Navigate to btn.com and enter your zip code and TV provider information to start watching.
Where else can I access Big 10 Network streaming?
Big Ten Network is also available with the FOX Sports app, which simulcasts live games and provides an on-demand library to a games archive via BTN, FOX, and FS1.
What schools are broadcast on BTN?
The Big Ten Network exclusively focuses on schools within the Big Ten Conference:
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Washington, and Wisconsin.
So, you missed the game, now what?
Luckily you can watch programming that appears on the Big Ten stream for up to 14 days after the broadcast. You can also catch free Big Ten highlights on its YouTube channel. But did you know that YouTube also has a live TV service that includes BTN? Learn more about YouTube TV, its live channels, pricing, and more with our review.
Are Big Ten Network games available in high definition (HD)?
Even though BTN provides HD quality content, video resolution ultimately depends on the TV service.