Big Ten Plus is a streaming service for college sports, separate from your cable or satellite TV

Big Ten Plus (often written as BTN+) is a streaming platform owned by Fox Sports that shows college sports events — mostly football, basketball, volleyball, and soccer — from Big Ten Conference schools. It is not included in a cable or satellite TV package. You pay a separate monthly or annual fee to watch through the BTN+ app or website, the same way you would pay for Netflix or Hulu.

The service exists because not every Big Ten game fits on the main Big Ten Network channel. When a school plays a less-watched sport or a game happens at an odd time, the conference streams it on BTN+ instead of broadcasting it on cable. If you want to watch those games, you need the subscription.

BTN+ is different from the main Big Ten Network (which comes through cable) and different from ESPN+, though some games appear on multiple platforms. The subscription is tied to your Fox Sports account, not to a cable login.

Key Takeaways

  • Big Ten Plus costs a monthly fee or an annual fee, with the annual option usually cheaper per month if you plan to watch year-round.
  • The service streams games that do not air on cable television, including football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and other Big Ten sports.
  • You watch through the BTN+ app or website after creating a Fox Sports account and paying the subscription fee.
  • Some games are exclusive to BTN+, while others also air on cable channels or ESPN+, so check the schedule before you assume you need the subscription.

Monthly and annual pricing options

Big Ten Plus offers both a month-to-month plan and an annual plan. The annual plan costs less per month than paying monthly, but you pay the full year upfront. If you only want to watch during football season (fall) or basketball season (winter), the monthly option may cost less overall.

Pricing can change, and Fox Sports sometimes runs promotional offers — discounts for the first month or bundled deals with other Fox sports services. Check the BTN+ website or app directly for current rates, because they are not fixed across all sources.

If you have a cable or satellite TV subscription that includes the Big Ten Network, you may be able to log in with your TV provider credentials to watch some BTN+ content at no extra cost. This varies by provider and by game, so test your login before assuming you have free access.

What sports and games you can watch

Big Ten Plus primarily streams games from Big Ten Conference schools in football, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, soccer, and other sports. The service focuses on games that are not broadcast on cable television — typically lower-profile matchups, early-season games, or contests between teams with smaller fan bases.

Not every Big Ten game streams on BTN+. Major games, especially football and basketball matchups between top-ranked teams, usually air on cable channels like ESPN, Fox, or the Big Ten Network itself. Check the official Big Ten schedule or the BTN+ app to see which specific games are available on the service.

The service also includes replays and highlights of games that aired elsewhere, so you can catch up if you missed a live broadcast.

How to set up and use Big Ten Plus

Start by downloading the BTN+ app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or visit the website at btnplus.com. You will need to create a Fox Sports account using an email address and password.

After you create your account, choose your subscription plan (monthly or annual) and enter payment information. Your subscription begins immediately, and you can start watching right away. You can watch on your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV device, depending on which app version you have.

If you already have a Fox Sports account from another service (like Fox Sports Go or another Fox property), you can use the same login for BTN+. You do not need separate accounts.

Streaming quality and device compatibility

Big Ten Plus streams in high definition on most devices. The quality depends on your internet connection speed — a faster connection gives you better picture quality and fewer interruptions. Fox recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD streaming.

The app works on smartphones and tablets (iOS and Android), computers (Windows and Mac), and connected TV devices like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast. You can log in on multiple devices with the same account, though simultaneous streams may be limited depending on your subscription tier.

If you experience buffering or freezing, try restarting the app, checking your internet speed, or moving closer to your Wi-Fi router. The BTN+ support page has troubleshooting steps for common issues.

Blackout rules and regional restrictions

Some Big Ten games are subject to blackout restrictions, which means they cannot be streamed in certain geographic areas. This usually happens when a game is broadcast on a local or regional cable channel — the conference restricts streaming to protect the cable broadcaster's rights to show the game locally.

If you see a message that a game is blacked out in your region, it typically means the game is airing on cable television in your area. You can watch it on cable instead, or wait for a replay to become available on BTN+ after the blackout period ends (usually 24 to 48 hours after the game airs).

Blackout rules vary by game and region, so there is no single rule that applies to all BTN+ content. Check the game details in the app to see if a blackout applies before game time.

Canceling your subscription

You can cancel Big Ten Plus at any time through your Fox Sports account settings. Go to your account page, find the subscription or billing section, and select the option to cancel. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — if you are on a monthly plan and cancel mid-month, you keep access until the end of that month.

If you paid for an annual subscription and cancel early, most services do not offer refunds for the unused portion. Check Fox Sports' cancellation policy before you sign up if this is a concern.

You can reactivate your subscription at any time by logging back into your account and choosing a plan again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Big Ten Plus if I have cable TV with the Big Ten Network?

Not necessarily. Cable subscribers can watch most Big Ten games on the main Big Ten Network channel. BTN+ is only needed for games that do not air on cable. Some cable providers let you log in to BTN+ with your TV credentials to watch those games at no extra cost, but this varies by provider.

Can I watch Big Ten Plus on my TV?

Yes. Download the BTN+ app on a connected TV device like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Chromecast, then log in with your Fox Sports account. You can also cast or mirror from your phone or computer to your TV if your device supports it.

What happens if a game is blacked out in my area?

A blackout means the game is airing on cable television in your region. You can watch it on cable instead. After the game ends, a replay usually becomes available on BTN+ within 24 to 48 hours, and the blackout restriction lifts.

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

You can use your login on multiple devices, but simultaneous streams may be limited. Check your subscription details for the number of streams allowed at the same time. Sharing your password with people outside your household may violate the terms of service.

Is Big Ten Plus the same as ESPN+?

No. Big Ten Plus streams Big Ten Conference games, while ESPN+ is a separate service owned by Disney that streams games from many conferences and sports. Some games may appear on both services, but they are different subscriptions.