College football fans are gearing up for championship weekend, culminating with the Big Ten title game featuring the Iowa Hawkeyes and Michigan Wolverines on December 4. With the game airing on FOX, cord cutters may be wondering how they can tune in without a cable subscription.
Not to worry – we‘ve got you covered with plenty of ways to watch the 2021 Big Ten Championship game live without cable! Whether you prefer streaming on demand, leveraging free services, or sticking with broadcast television, you‘ll have options to catch all the action.
Overview of Ways to Watch the Big Ten Championship Without Cable:
- Streaming TV services like fuboTV and YouTube TV that carry FOX and sports channels
- Free streaming apps such as Locast and Pluto TV to access FOX station streams
- Direct-to-consumer packages including Big Ten Network Plus and FOX Sports app
- OTA antenna to receive FOX broadcast over-the-air in your area
- Watch parties at local restaurants and bars showing the game
With the rise of cord-cutting, streaming has become a preferred viewing method for many college football fans. According to eMarketer, over 33 million US households will have canceled cable by 2022. Going streaming-only saves households an estimated $85 per month on average. Let‘s examine some of the top options for watching the Big Ten Championship without a cable TV subscription.
Streaming TV Services
Streaming TV services replicate the cable TV experience over the internet. For a monthly fee, you get live access to popular channels like FOX as well as on-demand libraries. Top options for watching college football include:
fuboTV – With a strong emphasis on sports, fuboTV offers 120+ channels including FOX, FS1, Big Ten Network, and more. Their Pro plan with 4K streaming is $69.99 after a 7-day free trial.
YouTube TV – YouTube TV has 85+ channels, unlimited cloud DVR, and widespread device support for $64.99 a month after trial. FOX and sports channels are included.
Hulu + Live TV – Hulu‘s live plan provides 75+ channels, 50 hours of DVR storage, access to Hulu originals, and more for $69.99 monthly.
Sling TV – Sling Blue offers FOX and FS1 for $35/month. Add the Sports Extra package ($11/month) to also get Big Ten Network.
Here‘s a handy comparison of some key features across streaming TV services:
| Service | Channels | Price/Month | Cloud DVR | Simultaneous Streams | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fuboTV | 120+ | $69.99 | 1000 hours recordings | Unlimited on home network, 3 outside | 7 days |
| YouTube TV | 85+ | $64.99 | Unlimited | 3 | Yes |
| Hulu + Live TV | 75+ | $69.99 | 50 hours recordings | 2 (+$10 for unlimited) | Yes |
| Sling TV Blue | 40+ | $35 | 50 hours recordings | 1-3 | No |
Whichever service you choose, be sure to sign up a few days before the game to allow time for setup and troubleshooting. Install the app on your preferred streaming device or watch through a web browser. These services work on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, mobile devices, and more – so you can stream the Big Ten Championship just about anywhere.
Free Streaming Options
Don‘t want to spend money to stream FOX for the game? Check out these options for live access at no cost:
Locast – This non-profit service streams local broadcast stations online in 36 US markets. Tune into your local FOX station on Locast apps without paying a dime. Donations are appreciated.
PlutoTV – While PlutoTV doesn‘t offer local channels, you can watch FOX national news and some live sports on their platform totally free. Use Pluto TV apps on any device.
Network Apps – The FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps provide live streams in select markets. Availability is limited but worth checking for a possible free viewing option in your area.
WatchTV – AT&T wireless customers on certain unlimited plans get the WatchTV streaming package included, with over 35 channels among them FOX in select areas. Check your account.
While picture quality may be reduced compared to paid services, free options are worth a look for cord cutters seeking budget viewing solutions.
Antennas for FOX Over-the-Air
One of the simplest ways to catch FOX with no monthly fees is by using an over-the-air antenna. Today‘s digital OTA antennas easily connect to your TV and pull in free broadcast channels like FOX at impressive HD quality. Check reception in your area before buying using the FCC Signal Map.
For the Big Ten Championship game, an indoor antenna like the Mohu Leaf 50 ($69.99) should pull in FOX unless you live far from the broadcast tower. Outdoors, the Channel Master EXTREMEtenna 80 ($139.00) has an 80-mile range powerful enough for most locations.
Many outdoor antennas can integrate with DVRs like Tablo or Plex to automatically record live TV, ideal to save the Big Ten Championship after it airs. Be sure to scan for channels and test reception ahead of time.
Devices for Streaming the Big Ten Championship
Thanks to the wide availability of streaming apps across platforms, you can enjoy the conference title game on pretty much any device:
Mobile – iOS and Android apps for FOX, streaming services, and free options like Locast bring live streaming to your phone or tablet. A strong WiFi signal is recommended for best performance.
Roku – Streaming sticks like the Roku Express 4K+ ($39.99) and Roku Ultra ($99.99) enable installling apps from fuboTV, Hulu, and more to watch through your TV.
Fire TV – Streaming apps are also available on Fire TV sticks such as the popular Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($54.99). Access Locast, Pluto TV, or paid services.
Apple TV – The latest Apple TV 4K box supports all major streaming apps. Use AirPlay to beam video from an iPhone right to your TV screen.
Game consoles – The FOX Sports app and most streaming services are available on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch for live Big Ten Championship viewing while gaming.
Web browsers – Services like fuboTV can be accessed directly through Chrome, Safari, Firefox and more for streaming on a laptop.
Be sure to perform speed tests ahead of time to confirm your internet connection can handle live streaming. The FCC recommends minimum speeds of at least 25 Mbps for streaming 4K video and 10+ Mbps for HD. For a flawless picture, connect your streaming device directly to your home router by ethernet if possible.
Additional Ways to Follow the Big Ten Championship Game
If you can‘t watch the Big Ten Championship live, here are some options to stay on top of the action:
- Listen to live radio commentary of the game through SiriusXM, TuneIn, and station apps
- Follow live blogs with real-time play-by-play, stats, and news on ESPN, CBS Sports, and SI
- Check the FOX Sports app and website for game highlights, analysis, and condensed replays
- View real-time stats through the Big Ten Digital Network site and conference mobile apps
- Set your DVR to record the game broadcast on FOX via cable, OTA antenna, or streaming service
Review highlights and top moments after the game wraps up. Hopefully it will end with a thrilling finish and your team hoisting the trophy!
FAQs about Streaming the Big Ten Championship:
When is the 2021 Big Ten Championship Game?
The game is on Saturday, December 4 at 8 PM Eastern.
What channel is the Big Ten Championship on?
It will air nationally on FOX. Check local FOX listings.
How can I stream FOX without cable?
Options include streaming TV services like fuboTV and Hulu + Live TV, free services like Locast and PlutoTV, or the FOX Sports app.
What teams are playing in the Big Ten Championship?
The game features the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines.
Can I watch the Big Ten Championship in 4K?
fuboTV and YouTube TV offer 4K streams for enhanced clarity. Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast Ultra and other devices support 4K.
So there you have it – plenty of ways to stream the 2021 Big Ten Championship Game without cable or satellite. With the right streaming setup, you‘ll be able to catch every minute of action as teams battle for the conference crown. Enjoy the game!
