Big Ten Plus is a streaming service for college sports, not a financial product

Big Ten Plus is a streaming platform run by the Big Ten Conference that shows college sports events — mainly football, basketball, and volleyball — that don't air on the main Big Ten Network or national broadcasters. It is a subscription you pay for to watch games, not a financial account, investment, or benefit program. If you landed here looking for information about a subscription service, this page will walk you through what it costs, what sports it covers, and how to sign up.

Big Ten Plus launched in 2023 as part of the Big Ten's media rights deal. It sits alongside the main Big Ten Network (which comes through cable or streaming TV bundles) and national broadcasts on networks like ESPN and Fox. The service is operated through Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming platform, which handles billing and account management.

Key Takeaways

  • Big Ten Plus costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year as an add-on to Peacock, or you can watch it through a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus subscription.
  • The service streams games that the Big Ten Conference does not sell to national broadcasters, typically lower-profile matchups and non-conference games.
  • You need a Peacock account to access Big Ten Plus; you cannot buy it as a standalone service.
  • The Big Ten includes 18 universities across the Midwest and East Coast, so Big Ten Plus primarily covers their athletic events.

What sports and games does Big Ten Plus show

Big Ten Plus streams games from Big Ten Conference member schools. The main sports are men's and women's basketball, football, and volleyball, though the schedule also includes soccer, hockey, lacrosse, and other sports depending on the season. The games shown are typically those that do not have a broadcast deal with ESPN, Fox, CBS, or other national networks.

This means Big Ten Plus often carries mid-week games, non-conference matchups, and contests between lower-ranked teams. High-profile games — like Ohio State versus Michigan football or marquee basketball matchups — usually air on ESPN, Fox, or the Big Ten Network instead. If you are looking for a specific game, you will need to check the Big Ten's schedule to see which platform carries it.

The conference includes schools like Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Michigan State, Rutgers, Maryland, and others. The exact roster has changed in recent years as schools have moved between conferences.

Pricing and how to pay

Big Ten Plus costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year when added to a Peacock Free account. If you already subscribe to Peacock Premium ($5.99 per month with ads or $11.99 per month ad-free) or Peacock Premium Plus ($17.99 per month), Big Ten Plus is included at no extra cost.

You pay through Peacock's billing system using a credit card, debit card, or payment method linked to your Peacock account. Peacock handles the subscription renewal automatically each month or year, depending on which plan you choose. You can cancel anytime through your Peacock account settings.

Pricing may vary if you purchase through a third-party platform like Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime Video Channels, or The Roku Channel, which sometimes bundle or discount streaming add-ons. Check those platforms directly for their current rates.

How to set up a Big Ten Plus account

First, go to Peacock.com or open the Peacock app on your device. If you do not have a Peacock account, create one by entering your email address and choosing a password. You will need to select a subscription tier — you can start with Peacock Free and add Big Ten Plus, or jump directly to Premium or Premium Plus if you want ad-free viewing or other Peacock content.

Once your Peacock account is active, navigate to the Big Ten Plus section or search for a specific game. If you chose Peacock Free, you will see the option to add Big Ten Plus for $9.99 per month. Click to add it, and your billing will begin when ready. If you already have Premium or Premium Plus, Big Ten Plus is already available to you.

You can watch on any device that supports Peacock: web browsers, phones, tablets, smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, and others. Sign in with your Peacock email and password on each device.

What devices work with Big Ten Plus

Since Big Ten Plus streams through Peacock, it works on any device Peacock supports. This includes iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, Windows and Mac computers, web browsers, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Roku devices, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, and some others.

read the Peacock app from your device's app store, or visit Peacock.com in a web browser. Sign in with your account credentials, and you will see Big Ten Plus content if your subscription includes it. Streaming quality depends on your internet connection; Peacock recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD video.

Canceling your subscription

To cancel Big Ten Plus, log into your Peacock account on a web browser or the app, go to Account Settings, and find the Subscription or Billing section. You will see your current plan and an option to manage or cancel. If you added Big Ten Plus to Peacock Free, you can remove just that add-on without canceling Peacock itself. If you subscribed to Premium or Premium Plus, canceling those subscriptions will also remove Big Ten Plus access.

Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel mid-month, you will still have access through the end of that month. Peacock will not refund partial months, but you can resubscribe anytime.

Comparing Big Ten Plus to other ways to watch Big Ten sports

Big Ten sports air across multiple platforms. National games appear on ESPN, Fox, CBS, and other broadcasters — these are included with cable TV or live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV. The main Big Ten Network channel is also part of most cable and live TV bundles. Big Ten Plus fills the gap for games that do not have a national broadcast deal.

If you already pay for cable or a live TV streaming service, you may already have access to most Big Ten games without needing Big Ten Plus. Check your provider's app or guide to see which games are available. Big Ten Plus is most useful if you stream without cable and want to catch games that would otherwise be unavailable to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need cable to watch Big Ten Plus?

No. Big Ten Plus is a standalone streaming service through Peacock. You do not need a cable subscription. However, you do need a Peacock account and an internet connection.

Can I watch Big Ten Plus on my TV?

Yes. read the Peacock app on your smart TV, streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick), or gaming console, sign in, and stream Big Ten Plus games. You can also use a Chromecast or AirPlay to send video from your phone or computer to your TV.

What if a game I want to watch is not on Big Ten Plus?

Check the Big Ten's official schedule to see which network carries that game. High-profile matchups usually air on ESPN, Fox, or CBS. You may need a cable subscription, a live TV streaming service, or a separate subscription (like ESPN+) to watch those broadcasts.

Can I share my Big Ten Plus account with family members?

Peacock allows multiple profiles on one account, and you can stream on multiple devices at the same time depending on your subscription tier. Check Peacock's current terms for details on household sharing and simultaneous streams, as these policies can change.

Is Big Ten Plus the same as the Big Ten Network?

No. The Big Ten Network is a cable channel that shows many Big Ten games. Big Ten Plus is a streaming service for games the Big Ten Network does not carry. Both are run by the Big Ten Conference but are separate services with different content.