There isn’t a single “Colorado channel.” Because the Buffaloes now play in the Big 12, every game is assigned to a national partner—ESPN/ABC or Fox Sports—roughly 6-to-12 days before kickoff. So the channel for this week’s matchup might be ABC in prime time, while next week’s road trip could slide to FS1 or stream on ESPN+.
Why the Channel Keeps Changing
Big 12 Media Deal at a Glance
- Who owns the rights? ESPN (including ABC) and Fox Sports.
- Contract length: Six-year extension through the 2030-31 season.
- Value: About $2.28 billion—money that keeps the conference on big stages and lets the networks shuffle games for the best national windows.
Because Colorado re-joined the Big 12 in 2024, its games automatically fall under this contract. That’s why you’ll keep seeing the Buffs on the same family of networks as Texas Tech, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State.
The Core Channels for Colorado Football
| Network | How You’ll See It | Typical Slot |
|---|---|---|
| ABC | Free over-the-air & most cable line-ups | Saturday night showcase or afternoon double-header |
| ESPN / ESPN2 | Cable, satellite, live-TV streaming | Early-afternoon or late-night windows |
| Fox | Free over-the-air & most cable line-ups | Big Noon Kickoff or Saturday prime time |
| FS1 | Cable & live-TV streaming | Early evening or late night |
| ESPN+ / Big 12 Now | Stand-alone streaming app | Non-conference tune-ups and overflow games |
Those five outlets carried every Colorado game in 2024, and nothing changes for 2025.
How to Check the Channel Each Week
- Start with the official schedule page: Colorado releases kickoff time and TV info as soon as the Big 12 finalizes assignments—usually 12 days out, sometimes 6 days when networks hold their “flex” option. The athletics site bumps the listing to the top in bold, and you’ll see the matching radio station (KOA 850 AM or KHOW 630 AM) right beside it.
- Look for ESPN’s team page: ESPN keeps a running grid that notes any network tweaks right up to game day. Their mobile alerts are handy if a storm delay pushes a kickoff from ESPN2 to ESPNU.
- Big 12 social media: The league posts the full weekly slate every Monday afternoon on X and Instagram Stories—graphic first, long caption second.
- Your electronic program guide (EPG): Cable boxes and live-TV apps update overnight; just search “Colorado Buffaloes” and set a reminder.
Cord-Cutter’s Guide
Live-TV Streaming Services
| Service | Carries ABC | Carries Fox/FS1 | Carries ESPN/ESPN2 | Free Trial? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | Yes (14 days) |
| Hulu + Live TV | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | No |
| Fubo | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | Yes (7 days) |
| Sling Orange + Blue | Limited markets | ✔️ | ✔️ (ESPN only) | Often $20 first month |
All of these authenticate the ESPN app and Fox Sports app, so if a game toggles from cable to streaming during a weather delay, you can swap seamlessly.
Dedicated Streaming on ESPN+
Games labeled “Big 12 Now on ESPN+” won’t air on a traditional channel at all. You’ll need the $10.99/month ESPN+ subscription or bundle it into Disney +/Hulu.
Radio for When You Can’t Watch
Every game airs statewide on the Buffs Radio Network, with flagship stations KOA 850 AM / 94.1 FM (Denver-Boulder) or KHOW 630 AM depending on conflict nights. Work commutes, harvest runs, or wedding receptions become easier when you can pop in an earbud and listen to legendary play-by-play voice Mark Johnson.
International Options
| Region | Broadcaster | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | TSN or DAZN | Feeds from ESPN or Fox; DAZN includes ESPN+ games |
| U.K./Ireland | TNT Sports | Select prime-time games; otherwise use ESPN Player pass |
| Australia/NZ | ESPN Australia | Live if kickoff is before 1 p.m. local; late games on delay |
| Anywhere | VPN + U.S. streaming login | Check local regulations |
Sample Week: How It Played Out in 2024
- Thursday, Aug 29 vs North Dakota State – ESPN prime-time slot.
- Saturday, Sept 7 at Nebraska – NBC under the Big Ten-NBC deal (non-conference road games follow the host’s contract).
- Saturday, Sept 14 at Colorado State – CBS afternoon feature.
- Saturday, Sept 21 vs Baylor – Fox Big 12 marquee slot.
That little stretch shows why there’s no single answer to “What channel is the Colorado game on?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Pac-12 Network still carry any Buffs games?
No. Once Colorado re-entered the Big 12, its media rights moved exclusively to ESPN and Fox Sports.
What about the Big 12 Championship?
The title game is locked into ABC every December at AT&T Stadium.
Why do kickoff times sometimes stay “TBA” until the last minute?
Networks have “six-day windows.” If two Big 12 games look equally attractive, ESPN and Fox wait until the previous weekend’s results before slotting each game. That flexibility maximizes national exposure—and ad revenue.
Can I stream a Fox-only game on ESPN+ or vice versa?
No. Even though both networks own Big 12 rights, they don’t share the same digital platforms. A Fox telecast needs the Fox Sports app (or a service that carries Fox/FS1).
My apartment antenna struggles with ABC or Fox in Boulder. Any fixes?
A higher-gain indoor antenna aimed west toward Denver’s Lookout Mountain towers often solves pixelation. If you still have trouble, flip to a live-TV streaming trial for that single weekend.
Final Thoughts
The simplest way to answer “What channel is the Colorado football game on?” is to grab your phone the Monday before kickoff and check the Buffs’ official schedule. Because of the Big 12’s billion-dollar partnership with ESPN and Fox, you’re guaranteed a national platform—just not always the same one. Keep the network families (ABC/ESPN, Fox/FS1, and ESPN+ for overflow) in mind, and you’ll never be left flipping channels at kickoff again.
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