The Ohio State Buckeyes are heading to Iowa City for a Saturday afternoon showdown, and the broadcast rights holders want everyone to know exactly where to find it. The game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS, and the major streaming services are all fighting to keep you from missing it.
The Game and Its Home
Ohio State travels to Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City for the Oct. 3 matchup. Iowa enters the game undefeated, making this a compelling contest. CBS broadcasts the game live.
CBS’s Streaming Partners
CBS partners with several streaming services for live sports, and this game is no exception. DirecTV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV all carry CBS, and each offers a free trial to new subscribers. That means viewers who have never signed up with any of those services can try them out without paying a cent.
Paramount+ Premium is also carrying the game, though it comes with a catch: you need to subscribe to DirecTV’s Entertainment, Choice, or Ultimate Signature packages to get it. Those packages include Paramount+ Premium as part of their premium channel lineup, and new subscribers get three months of Paramount+ Premium for free as part of the deal.
Free Trials, Fees, and the Catch
The free trials are the easiest entry point. DirecTV offers a five-day free trial for its streaming service, which lets new subscribers tune in to Saturday’s game at no cost. Fubo also offers a five-day free trial, and Hulu + Live TV runs a three-day free trial.
After the trials expire, the costs diverge. Fubo plans start at $54.99 for the first month and $64.99 monthly thereafter. Hulu + Live TV subscriptions start at $89.99 per month and come bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+. Paramount+ Premium is included in DirecTV’s Premier package at no extra cost, but standalone subscribers pay the full subscription fee.
Comparing the Options
| Service | Free Trial | Monthly Cost | Includes Paramount+ Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| DirecTV | 5 days | Starting at $19.99/month | Yes, with Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate or Premier |
| Fubo | 5 days | $54.99 first month, $64.99 thereafter | No |
| Hulu + Live TV | 3 days | $89.99 per month | No |
| Paramount+ Premium | None offered | Full subscription fee | Yes, with DirecTV Premier |
The DirecTV Angle
DirecTV is doing more than just selling its own service. The Premier package includes Paramount+ Premium indefinitely as part of its standard lineup, and the Entertainment, Choice, and Ultimate packages also include Paramount+ Premium for three months at no extra cost.
For viewers who already have DirecTV, the math is simple: add Paramount+ Premium for free. For new subscribers, the five-day free trial covers the game, and the Paramount+ Premium offer applies to the Entertainment, Choice, or Ultimate packages.
What to Know Before You Subscribe
Before you commit to any service, consider what else you watch. DirecTV’s plans let you build your own channel lineup starting at just $19.99 per month, which could be a cheaper route for cord-cutters who want multiple networks. Hulu + Live TV bundles Disney+ and ESPN+, so subscribers get two additional streaming services in the subscription price.
The three-month Paramount+ Premium offer is a limited-time bonus with DirecTV’s Entertainment, Choice, or Ultimate packages. It is not available to standalone Paramount+ Premium subscribers, who pay the full subscription fee.
A Word About the Source
This article is based on reporting from The Hollywood Reporter, which notes that if you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on its website, it may receive an affiliate commission.
The Bottom Line
The Ohio State vs. Iowa game is a must-watch for college football fans, and the broadcast options are plentiful. CBS airs the game live at 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET, and every major streaming service carries it. DirecTV’s Premier package includes Paramount+ Premium indefinitely, but the five-day free trials on DirecTV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV mean no one has to commit before kickoff.
Source material: “Ohio State vs. Iowa: Where to Watch the 2026 College Football Game Online,” The Hollywood Reporter.
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