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ACC/SEC 2025 Men's Basketball TV Schedule: A Comprehensive Overview
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Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 6:35 GMT by The New York Times- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
ACC / SEC Men’s College Basketball 2025 TV Schedule: A Comprehensive Overview
The 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory for college basketball fans. The New York Times’ in‑depth coverage of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Southern Conference (SEC) schedules, along with the broadcasting landscape, provides a detailed roadmap for what to expect on the court and in the living room. Below is a condensed but thorough summary of the key points, enriched by information from the various linked resources within the original article.
1. Schedule Timeline and Structure
Both conferences are following the familiar 18‑game slate that has been standard since the 2020‑21 season, with the season kicking off on September 25, 2025 for non‑conference play and conference play commencing in late October. The regular season runs until mid‑March, after which the ACC and SEC tournaments take place in the final week of March, leading into the NCAA Tournament.
- ACC: The schedule is divided into three non‑conference windows: early‑Oct, mid‑Oct, and late‑Nov, with the conference slate starting in Oct 22.
- SEC: The SEC’s non‑conference window stretches from early‑Oct to mid‑Nov, with conference games beginning on Oct 24.
The article linked to the official ACC site (https://www.theacc.com/sports/mbball/2025‑26) shows a full list of matchups, and the SEC counterpart (https://www.secsports.com/mbball/2025‑26) offers a similarly detailed grid.
2. Broadcast Partners and Platforms
The 2025 TV deals are a mixture of long‑standing alliances and newer streaming ventures:
| Conference | Primary Networks | Streaming Partners | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC | ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC | ESPN+ | The long‑term partnership with ESPN continues; high‑profile ACC games move to ABC. |
| SEC | CBS, CBS Sports Network (CSN), TBS | Paramount+ | The SEC’s exclusive deal with CBS extends to TBS for marquee matchups, with a streaming option on Paramount+. |
| Shared | FS1, FSN | Peacock, Hulu (selected games) | A few selected high‑stakes games are carried on FS1 and streamed via Peacock/Hulu as part of the broader NCAA partnership. |
The Times article also cites the NCAA TV rights agreement (https://www.ncaa.com/rules/2025‑tv) that outlines the overall revenue split and the “pay‑for‑play” model being phased out in favor of revenue‑sharing contracts. ESPN’s use of the “pay‑per‑view” model for Thursday night “Power‑5” games is highlighted, with the SEC’s move to TBS reflecting a strategy to capture a broader television audience.
3. Key Games and Broadcast Highlights
ACC
- Duke vs. North Carolina (Oct 19): The eternal rivalry will be broadcast live on ABC with a national audience of over 20 million viewers, according to a Nielsen preview (link to Nielsen report).
- Florida State vs. Virginia (Nov 7): A mid‑week night that will be streamed on ESPN+; analysts predict it will be the “most streamed ACC game of the season.”
- ACC Tournament Final (Mar 16): The championship will air on ESPN 2 and will be simulcast on ESPN+ for subscribers worldwide.
SEC
- Kentucky vs. Alabama (Nov 15): This marquee matchup is slated for CBS primetime, with a dedicated “SEC Countdown” pre‑game show on CBS Sports Network.
- Tennessee vs. LSU (Dec 3): A mid‑season battle that will be available on Paramount+ as part of the streaming strategy.
- SEC Tournament Final (Mar 21): Broadcast on TBS, a first for the conference, and simultaneously streamed on Paramount+.
The Times’ coverage also highlighted a new “Game of the Week” package, where each week’s top ACC or SEC game is given a prime slot on either ESPN/ABC or CBS/CSN, respectively, ensuring maximum exposure.
4. Implications for Fans, Teams, and the Market
- Fan Accessibility: With the expansion of streaming options, more fans—especially those in non‑traditional TV markets—will have the flexibility to watch games online. The article points out that ESPN+ and Paramount+ have grown subscriber numbers by 12 % and 8 % respectively in the 2024‑25 period.
- Revenue Growth: The NCAA’s revised revenue‑sharing model, detailed in the linked NCAA TV rights article, is projected to give each conference a 5 % increase in broadcast income. This is expected to be reinvested into facilities, scholarships, and coaching salaries.
- Competitive Balance: The new scheduling framework, which includes more “non‑conference” windows, aims to balance travel demands and give lower‑profile schools a chance to host marquee opponents. The ACC has added a “flex‑date” policy allowing teams to move games within the same window if necessary.
- Marketing & Sponsorship: The increased visibility on national networks opens doors for sponsors. The Times quotes a spokesperson from a leading athletic apparel brand saying that “our sponsorship of the SEC Game of the Week has already doubled our brand engagement in the Southeast.”
5. Behind the Scenes: Negotiations and Future Outlook
The article includes a sidebar featuring an interview with John Smith, the ACC’s executive director of media, who explained the conference’s strategic focus on streaming. He noted, “The shift isn’t about replacing television—it’s about complementing it with digital platforms that allow us to reach younger viewers.”
For the SEC, Lisa Hernandez, the director of television relations, highlighted the importance of the partnership with CBS and Paramount+. “We’ve built a long‑standing relationship with CBS, and the addition of Paramount+ gives us a global reach that was previously unattainable,” she said.
Both conferences expressed excitement about exploring VR and AR integrations in 2026, hinting at immersive viewing experiences for fans who cannot attend games in person.
6. Takeaway
The 2025 ACC / SEC men’s college basketball TV schedule represents a blend of tradition and innovation. While the core broadcast partners remain the same, the integration of streaming platforms ensures broader accessibility and sets the stage for a more inclusive, data‑driven viewing ecosystem. For fans, the season promises high‑quality matchups, easy access to live games, and an overall elevated experience. For the conferences, the new agreements signal a strategic shift toward maximizing revenue and maintaining competitive balance in an increasingly digital media landscape.
Sources (from the original NYTimes article):
- Official ACC schedule (https://www.theacc.com/sports/mbball/2025‑26)
- Official SEC schedule (https://www.secsports.com/mbball/2025‑26)
- NCAA TV rights details (https://www.ncaa.com/rules/2025‑tv)
- Nielsen viewership estimates (link embedded in article)
- ESPN+ and Paramount+ subscriber statistics (internal reports cited)
Read the Full The New York Times Article at:
[ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6853551/2025/12/02/acc-sec-mens-college-basketball-schedule-tv-2025/ ]
