Does DIRECTV’s MySports Package Include CBS? Your March Madness Guide

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.
Former editor of Satellite DIRECT magazine. Reported on DIRECTV for more than 30 years.

TV Answer Man, I like the idea of a programming package that has sports channels, but my question is does DIRECTV’s MySports package have CBS yet? March Madness is next month and I have to have CBS or the whole thing is not worth it. Right? – Gene, Pittsburgh.

What Is DIRECTV’s MySports Package?
Gene, DIRECTV last month launched a new ‘skinny’ channel bundle called MySports that includes more than 40 channels for $70 a month. (The first three months are now $49.99 a month in a time limited launch promotion.)

Which Channels Does DIRECTV’s MySports Offer?
The MySports lineup includes the following channels:

ACC Network
Big Ten Network
CNBC
CNN
DIRECTV 4K Live

DIRECTV 4K Live 2
ESPN
ESPN2,
ESPNews
ESPNU

Fox Business
Fox News
Fox Sports 1
Fox Sports 2
Golf Channel

MLB Network
MSNBC
NBA TV
NFL Network
NHL Network

SEC Network
TBS
TNT
TruTV
USA Network.

The plan also includes nearly 20 free sports channels that are available now on DIRECTV’s MyFreeDIRECTV free service. (You don’t need a MySports sub to watch them.)  And there are local affiliates for ABC, Fox and NBC in select markets.

Does DIRECTV’s MySports Include CBS For March Madness?
But the plan does not include CBS, which next month will begin coverage of the March Madness men’s college basketball tournament. With the March Madness games beginning now in less than month (first playoff round on CBS begins March 20.), the absence of CBS is starting to become a major factor in determining whether to subscribe or not. DIRECTV says it’s negotiating to land a carriage deal with CBS, but as of now, no dice.

How to Watch CBS With MySports Right Now
To watch CBS with MySports now, you would need to get an antenna or subscribe to another pay TV offering such as the $12.99 a month Paramount Plus with Showtime plan which has a live feed of your local CBS affiliate. The Paramount Plus sub would bring the MySports price in the first three months from $49.99 to $62.98. The price after the promotional rate expires would be $82.99 a month. At that rate, many sports fans might wonder if the plan is worth it, particularly since MySports also does not offer regional sports networks.

Will DIRECTV Add CBS Before March Madness 2025?
DIRECTV is keenly aware that, without CBS, MySports is lacking. It’s hard to promote the plan as a solution for sports fans if it doesn’t offer one of the biggest sporting events of the year, March Madness. (MySports does have TBS, TNT and truTV, which will also broadcast March Madness games next month. But CBS will air roughly half the games.) Consequently, it’s a good bet that DIRECTV will add CBS sometime between now and the tournament selection show on CBS on March 16. But until it does, many sports fans will likely pause before subscribing.

Gene, hope that answers your question. Happy viewing and stay safe!

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