CBS Sports Announces Expansive 2025-26 College basketball Broadcast Schedule with Over 300 Games
In a move that’s set to electrify hoops fans nationwide, CBS Sports has unveiled its most ambitious College basketball lineup yet for the 2025-26 season. The network’s new broadcast schedule boasts more than 300 regular-season games, spanning a diverse array of marquee matchups, conference rivalries, and emerging talents across its broadcast and streaming platforms. This announcement comes at a pivotal time for the sport, as the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve with new conference alignments and the ongoing impact of NIL deals and transfer portals.
The schedule, detailed in a press release from CBS Sports on Wednesday, promises an unprecedented level of accessibility for viewers. From high-stakes ACC showdowns to Big Ten battles that could define national title contenders, CBS is positioning itself as the go-to destination for College basketball enthusiasts. “We’re thrilled to deliver this comprehensive slate that captures the heart-pounding excitement of the game,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President of Programming at CBS Sports. “With over 300 games, we’re not just broadcasting basketball—we’re telling the stories of the next generation of stars.”
This expansion builds on CBS Sports’ long-standing commitment to the sport, which dates back decades. In the 2024-25 season alone, CBS aired over 250 games, drawing an average viewership of 2.5 million per broadcast, according to Nielsen data. The jump to more than 300 for 2025-26 reflects growing demand, fueled by the sport’s rising popularity post the 2024 March Madness tournament, which saw a 12% uptick in overall ratings.
As college basketball navigates changes like the impending 2026 expansion of the NCAA Tournament to 68 teams, CBS Sports’ schedule is designed to spotlight key narratives early in the season. Fans can expect a mix of traditional powerhouses like Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas clashing with up-and-coming programs from the SEC and Big 12. The broadcast schedule will be distributed across CBS, CBSSports.com, Paramount+, and the CBS Sports app, ensuring broad reach in an era where cord-cutting is rampant.
One standout feature is the emphasis on Thanksgiving tournaments and early non-conference games, which often serve as proving grounds for teams. For instance, the Maui Invitational and Battle 4 Atlantis events will receive prime-time slots, allowing viewers to scout potential Cinderella stories before conference play intensifies.
Marquee Rivalries Ignite the Schedule’s Opening Weeks
The 2025-26 college basketball broadcast schedule from CBS Sports kicks off with a bang, featuring several can’t-miss rivalries that are sure to draw massive audiences. Leading the pack is the perennial Duke vs. North Carolina showdown, slated for early December in Chapel Hill. This Tobacco Road classic, which averaged 4.8 million viewers last season, embodies the raw emotion and historic animosity that define college basketball. With Duke potentially welcoming a reloaded roster under coach Jon Scheyer and UNC banking on RJ Davis’ senior leadership, expect fireworks.
Another highlight is the Michigan State vs. Michigan intra-state battle on January 11, broadcast live from East Lansing. This game, part of the Big Ten’s revamped slate following the conference’s expansion, could preview the league’s depth. CBS Sports has allocated a Saturday afternoon slot, prime time for family viewings, underscoring the network’s strategy to maximize engagement. “Rivalries like these are the soul of the sport,” noted ESPN analyst Jay Bilas in a recent interview. “CBS giving them prominent placement will only heighten the drama.”
Beyond the ACC and Big Ten, the schedule shines a light on SEC fireworks, including Kentucky vs. Tennessee on February 8. With the SEC’s growing dominance—boasting five of the top 10 teams in last year’s preseason polls—this matchup could solidify early tournament resumes. CBS plans to pair these games with in-depth pregame analysis, featuring experts like Clark Kellogg and Tracy Wolfson, to provide context on player matchups and strategic shifts.
Statistics from past seasons highlight the draw: Rivalry games on CBS have consistently outperformed non-conference tilts by 35% in viewership. For 2025-26, the network is incorporating fan-voted segments on CBSSports.com, allowing audiences to influence highlight reels and postgame discussions, further boosting interactivity.
In total, the opening month alone includes 45 games, a 20% increase from last year, covering everything from the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament to holiday classics. This front-loaded approach ensures that CBS Sports captures momentum as teams gel and stars emerge, setting the tone for a season filled with unpredictability.
Expanded Platforms Bring College Basketball to Every Screen
CBS Sports is revolutionizing how fans consume the 2025-26 season by leveraging a multi-platform strategy in its broadcast schedule. No longer confined to traditional TV, the over 300 games will stream live on Paramount+ and the CBS Sports app, with on-demand replays available shortly after tip-off. This hybrid model addresses the shifting media landscape, where 40% of college basketball viewers under 35 now prefer mobile streaming, per a 2024 Deloitte report.
A key innovation is the introduction of “CBS College Hoops Hub,” a dedicated digital portal launching in November 2025. This hub will offer real-time stats, interactive brackets, and augmented reality overlays for select games, allowing users to visualize player movements on their phones. “We’re meeting fans where they are,” explained Amy Reiser, Senior VP of Digital Media at CBS. “Whether you’re courtside or on the go, our platforms ensure you don’t miss a dunk.”
The schedule allocates 150 games to linear TV on CBS and TNT Sports networks, while the remaining 150+ will premiere on streaming. Highlights include exclusive Big 12 doubleheaders on Tuesdays and Thursdays, streamed ad-free for Paramount+ subscribers. This tiered access not only broadens reach but also caters to die-hard fans seeking premium content.
Contextually, this expansion aligns with industry trends. The 2024-25 season saw streaming viewership for college basketball surge by 25%, driven by platforms like ESPN+ and now CBS’s offerings. By integrating social media tie-ins—such as live Twitter Spaces with coaches during halftime—CBS aims to foster community and virality. Imagine debating a controversial foul in real-time with thousands of fellow fans; that’s the immersive experience on deck for 2025-26.
Moreover, accessibility features like closed captioning in multiple languages and audio descriptions will make the schedule inclusive, targeting a global audience. With international streaming rights expanding to Europe and Asia via Paramount Global partnerships, CBS Sports is poised to elevate college basketball‘s worldwide profile.
Spotlighting Rising Stars and Conference Shifts in the Lineup
As the CBS Sports broadcast schedule unfolds for the 2025-26 college basketball season, it masterfully spotlights emerging talents and the seismic shifts in conference alignments. The Pac-12’s dissolution has funneled powerhouses like UCLA and USC into the Big Ten, promising fresh rivalries that CBS has eagerly scheduled. A prime example: UCLA vs. Purdue on January 25, a West Coast vs. Midwest clash that could draw 3 million viewers and test the Bruins’ transition under new coach Mick Cronin.
Player-wise, the schedule features potential lottery picks like Arkansas’ freshman phenom DJ Wagner, son of ex-NBA star Dajuan Wagner, in a marquee game against Kansas on December 20. CBS’s coverage will include player profiles, narrated by sideline reporter Lauren Chenal, delving into NIL impacts—Wagner’s personal brand is already valued at $2 million. Such narratives add emotional depth, turning games into character-driven stories.
Conference breakdowns reveal strategic programming: The Big Ten gets 80 slots, reflecting its 18-team behemoth status, while the SEC claims 70, emphasizing Southern hoops’ resurgence. The ACC, with its 85-game package, ensures balance, including undefeated streaks like Clemson’s surprising 2024 run. Quotes from coaches underscore the stakes; UConn’s Dan Hurley remarked, “CBS’s exposure helps us recruit and build legacies—it’s invaluable.”
Statistically, CBS projects a 15% viewership bump from these shifts, based on pilot data from summer exhibitions. The schedule also incorporates women’s games, with 50 featured broadcasts, aligning with the sport’s gender equity push post-Caitlin Clark’s era. This holistic approach not only entertains but educates on college basketball‘s evolving ecosystem.
Underscoring diversity, CBS highlights HBCU matchups like Howard vs. Tennessee State, providing platforms for overlooked programs and fostering inclusivity in a sport historically dominated by power fives.
Behind-the-Scenes: How CBS Sports Crafted This Monumental Schedule
The creation of CBS Sports’ 2025-26 college basketball broadcast schedule was no small feat, involving months of negotiations, data analysis, and collaboration with NCAA officials. Beginning in spring 2025, a team of 25 programmers sifted through over 5,000 potential games, prioritizing viewer metrics from the prior season. “We used AI-driven analytics to predict high-engagement slots,” revealed scheduling director Mark DeMichiel. “Factors like team rankings, historical rivalries, and even weather patterns for outdoor-adjacent events played a role.”
Partnerships with conferences were crucial; the Big 12’s media rights deal, inked for $1 billion over eight years, secured exclusive windows. CBS balanced this with input from fan surveys—conducted via CBSSports.com—where 62% demanded more late-night West Coast games to accommodate time zones. The result: A schedule with 40% primetime slots, up from 30% last year.
Production logistics are equally impressive. Each broadcast will employ 4K cameras and drone shots for dynamic angles, enhancing the viewing experience. Budget-wise, CBS allocated $150 million for rights and production, a 10% increase, signaling confidence in ROI—last season’s ads generated $200 million in revenue.
Challenges arose, too, like accommodating transfer portal flux; initial lineups were adjusted twice to reflect roster changes. Yet, this adaptability ensures the schedule remains relevant. As one insider put it, “It’s like curating a playlist for the nation’s living rooms—every pick has to hit.”
Looking ahead, this broadcast schedule sets the stage for CBS’s March Madness coverage, with regular-season insights directly informing bracketology. Fans can download the full calendar from CBSSports.com, complete with alerts for personalized watchlists. With the season tipping off in November 2025, the anticipation is palpable—CBS Sports has not just scheduled games; it’s scripted the next chapter of college basketball lore.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, this expansive lineup promises to deepen fan loyalty, attract new viewers through innovative tech, and amplify the voices of tomorrow’s legends. Whether it’s a buzzer-beater in overtime or a rookie’s breakout moment, CBS ensures every thread of the college basketball tapestry is woven into the national conversation, paving the way for an unforgettable campaign.
