Why are CFP games on TNT? Explaining TV channel, live streams for 2025 College Football Playoff originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2025 College Football Playoff field is set. The matchups, locations and kickoff times for the first round have been announced, with action beginning Friday, Dec. 19.
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There will be four first-round games. Most of the CFP will air on ESPN, with all but two games carried by the network. The remaining two first-round games, both played Saturday, will air on TNT and truTV.
The change is part of a broader agreement between the networks and is expected to expand beginning in 2026.
Here is more on why some CFP games are airing on TNT.
STREAM: Watch all College Football Playoff games live via DirecTV
Why are College Football Playoff games on TNT?
ESPN owns the rights to the College Football Playoff games. Previously, ESPN and TNT Sports agreed to a “sublicense” of select CFP games. This has come to fruition in the form of at least two games airing on TNT in the first round for five years.
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The agreement started in 2024 and for the first two years, TNT gets two games in the first round. Starting in 2026, TNT will get two quarterfinal matchups as well.
“We’re delighted to reach this agreement with ESPN, providing TNT Sports the opportunity to showcase these College Football Playoff games on our platforms for years to come,” said Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO of TNT Sports. “TNT Sports aims to delight fans and drive maximum reach and engagement for these marquee games.”
MORE: Meet Ole Miss’ new head coach, Pete Golding, who will be leading the Rebels in the CFP
What CFP games are on TNT?
There will be four total first round games. Two of them will air on ESPN and ABC, while the other two air on TNT and truTV. The first game will feature No. 6 Ole Miss taking on No. 11 Tulane, while the night cap is No. 5 Oregon against No. 12 James Madison.
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Saturday, December 20
|
Game |
Matchup |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live stream |
|
CFP First Round |
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane |
3:30 p.m. |
TNT, truTV, HBO Max |
|
CFP First Round |
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison |
7:30 p.m. |
TNT, truTV, HBO Max |
MORE: Tracking every college football coaching hire of the 2025 cycle
What channel is TNT?
Here’s how to find TNT on every cable provider.
|
Provider |
Channel (SD/HD) |
|
AT&T UVerse |
108/1108 |
|
Verizon FIOS |
51/551 |
|
DISH Network |
138 |
|
DirecTV |
245 |
|
Spectrum |
Varies by location (area code search) |
|
Xfinity |
Varies by location (area code search) |
MORE: Sporting News’ 2025 College Football All-America team
College Football Playoff schedule
-
TV channels: ABC, ESPN, TNT, truTV
First Round
|
Date |
Matchup |
Location |
Time (ET) |
TV Channel |
|
Fri., Dec. 19 |
No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama |
Norman, Oklahoma |
8 p.m. |
ABC, ESPN, Fubo |
|
Sat., Dec. 20 |
No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami |
College Station, Texas |
12 p.m. |
ABC, ESPN, Fubo |
|
Sat., Dec. 20 |
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane |
Oxford, Mississippi |
3:30 p.m. |
TNT, truTV |
|
Sat., Dec. 20 |
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison |
Eugene, Oregon |
7:30 p.m. |
TNT, truTV |
Quarterfinals
|
Date |
Bowl Game |
Matchup |
Location |
Time (ET) |
TV Channel |
|
Wed., Dec. 31 |
Cotton Bowl |
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Texas A&M/No. 10 Miami |
Arlington, Texas |
7:30 p.m. |
ESPN, Fubo |
|
Thurs., Jan. 1 |
Orange Bowl |
No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon/No. 12 James Madison |
Miami, Florida |
12 p.m. |
ESPN, Fubo |
|
Thurs., Jan. 1 |
Rose Bowl |
No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 8 Oklahoma/No. 9 Alabama |
Pasadena, California |
4 p.m. |
ESPN, Fubo |
|
Thurs., Jan. 1 |
Sugar Bowl |
No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss/No. 11 Tulane |
New Orleans, Louisiana |
8 p.m. |
EPN, Fubo |
Semifinals
|
Date |
Bowl Game |
Matchup |
Location |
Time (ET) |
TV Channel |
|
Thurs., Jan. 8 |
Fiesta Bowl |
TBD |
Glendale, Arizona |
7:30 p.m. |
ESPN, Fubo |
|
Fri., Jan. 9 |
Peach Bowl |
TBD |
Atlanta, Georgia |
7:30 p.m. |
ESPN, Fubo |
National championship
|
Date |
Bowl Game |
Matchup |
Location |
Time (ET) |
TV Channel |
|
Mon., Jan. 19 |
CFP National Championship |
TBD |
Miami, Florida |
7:30 p.m. |
ESPN, Fubo |
