Roughly a month after Spotify announced that a selection of audiobooks would become a part of its Premium subscription, the company is today expanding the service to U.S. […]
7 things you can’t do anymore since Twitter became X
Elon Musk acquired Twitter in April 2022 and officially took over six months later. A lot has changed since Musk has been at the helm.
Gone are the days we used to sign into Twitter and share tweets. It’s now November 2023, more than a year since Tesla CEO Elon Musk acquired the popular social media platform, and the cheery, avian blue-and-white icon got replaced with a dark insignia that simply says “X.”
Many users, including Mashable’s Chris Taylor, believe that Twitter — er, I mean “X” — has taken a turn for the worse. Others, on the other hand, find the rebrand to be refreshing. However, no matter where you stand, you can’t deny that there are some features stripped from the platform that we’ll all miss.
7 things you can no longer do on Twitter / X
In July, Musk called X an “everything app,” but for an app that lets you do “everything,” there’s quite a lot we can no longer do.
1. You can’t view X without logging in
Lurkers once had the luxury of sifting through Twitter without logging in or being a registered user.
Browsing through Twitter
Credit: Shutterstock
Credit: Shutterstock
Now, if you want to browse the social media platform, you have no choice but to sign into a Twitter account.
2. ‘Quote tweets’ are no longer within easy reach
As Mashable’s Deputy UK Editor Sam Haysom mentioned in mid-September, quote tweets used to be easy to access during Twitter’s heyday.
Sifting through one’s X feed.
Credit: Shutterstock
Credit: Shutterstock
Unfortunately, due to an irksome redesign, you have to take a few extra steps to see quote tweets. You must now click on the three-dot icon and tap on “View post engagements” before clicking on “Quotes.” Plus, X no longer tells you how many quote tweets a post has.
3. You can’t tweet to a subgroup of followers
In late September, X announced that it’s sunsetting Circles, a feature that allowed users to pick and choose a subgroup of followers to receive specific posts.
In other words, with Twitter Circles, instead of tweeting to all of your followers, you could interact with a smaller crowd. Unfortunately, you can’t do that anymore.
4. Headlines are now stripped from your links
Now, when you input a link into your tweet (e.g., an article), the headline will not be displayed. The Verge has a pretty good “before and after” picture that illustrates this frustrating new feature.
Musk, demonstrating his aptitude for crushing it at spelling bees, tweeted that he made this change to “improve the esthetics [sic].”
5. You must wait longer to open links from competitors
An analysis from The Markup discovered that X is throttling traffic from competitors, including Threads, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and Substack.
Rival apps like Threads are throttled on X.
Credit: Shutterstock
Credit: Shutterstock
This report isn’t surprising considering the fact that Musk briefly banned links from Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, and other rivals in December 2022.
6. PlayStation and Xbox gamers lose integration with Twitter
Access to Twitter’s API used to be free, but as we reported in March, Musk is putting a price on it now — its cheapest package is a whopping $42,000 per month.
PlayStation and Xbox gamers can no longer directly upload to X.
Credit: Shutterstock
Credit: Shutterstock
As a result, gaming platforms like Microsoft and Sony are terminating their integrations with X. In other words, gamers can no longer share their video game captures directly with Twitter / X.
7. The blue check is no longer earned
As CNN puts it, Musk transformed the blue check from a status symbol to a badge of shame.
The blue check isn’t what it used to be.
Credit: Shutterstock
Credit: Shutterstock
The blue check once authenticated influential accounts and high-profile figures, but now, Musk has eroded its value. Anyone can purchase a blue check by subscribing to X Premium. However, it’ll cost you $16 a month as of this writing.
Final thoughts
This list is far from exhaustive — and it will continue to climb. Elon Musk said he will kill the block feature on X. Plus, Musk suggested that he may put X behind a paywall, too.
We can’t wrap our minds around Musk’s endgame for X, but as Mashable’s Matt Binder discovered, it’s not looking good for the Tesla CEO so far. Daily active users appear to be dwindling as we speak.
Best dating apps and sites in November 2023
Find love (or something more casual) this month with this selection of top dating apps, including March, eharmony, and EliteSingles.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Dating is a competitive game, and you should do everything you can to give yourself a chance of success. Looking your best and smelling fresh is a good place to start, but nothing shortens your odds of success like signing up to a dating site.
The problem with this tactic is that there are just so many dating sites out there to consider, each with a different set of features that will suit some people better than others. It’s difficult to know which site is best for you, and you could easily spend hours researching all of the sites on offer without a definitive answer.
We know that you don’t have time for all of that, so we’ve set out to make things a little easier for you.
What are the benefits of using dating apps?
By subscribing to a dating site, you’re shortening your odds of finding a connection. It’s as simple as that.
Dating sites and apps let you get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals, and provide the opportunity to test out a potential relationship on an app before actually meeting in real life.
Subscribing to dating apps and sites is also a way less intimidating way of meeting someone compared to a face-to-face situation. If you find the idea of meeting people slightly terrifying, these apps can help you face your fears from the comfort of your own home.
Is online dating worth the hassle?
Sentiments aside, we have some hard data to back our reasoning for Why Online Dating Is Worthwhile™: Statista predicted that the online dating audience will grow to 53.3 million by 2025, compared to 44.2 million users in 2020. A study from Stanford released in 2019 asserted that online dating is officially the most common way for couples to meet, rounding out at nearly 40 percent of couples having first met online.
This pre-pandemic prediction came before the COVID-era dating app sign-ups surge. Though people are eager to get back to doing as many things IRL as possible now, dating apps are still a great place to find someone, whether you want a relationship or are just looking to get nasty.
And yes, though there are algorithms that dictate what profiles pop up on your screen, we firmly believe that the stars aligning still comes into play. After all, the person who signs up on the app and is looking for love at exactly the same time you are is up to fate and the universe, proving that online dating romance is very much alive and well.
Because it’s not 2007 anymore, the need for mobile-friendly online dating isn’t just a millennial thing — people over 40 don’t have time to sit around at their home desktops, either. Dating sites that are older than most members of Gen Z (like Match and eharmony) have been forced to give serious attention to their smartphone counterparts if they don’t want to be outgrown.
However, that statistical promise still requires patience and a game plan, the game plan is choosing the dating app with features that best fit your lifestyle — and the lifestyle of the type of person you’re looking for. Are you looking for an app strictly for sex or an app more serious than Tinder but less serious than eharmony? Or maybe, you’d just really love to find an app where queer women aren’t relentlessly sexualized by creeps and pestered by unicorn hunters.
Should you use free dating apps?
The good news is that there are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are good examples of free apps with massive networks of users.
The bad news is that a lot of free apps simply don’t cut it. You get what you pay for with dating sites and apps, and for the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you’re looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash.
You can still find something worth your time with a free app, but if you’re looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading. Paid sites provide access to premium features that give you the best chance of finding something special.
What is the best dating site?
We’re sorry to break it to you like this, but there isn’t a single dating site that is better than the rest. Instead, there are a lot of sites and apps with similar features and packages, and the best option for you really comes down to your own set of preferences.
To make the decision process a whole lot easier for everyone, we have lined up a selection of the most popular sites in the dating game, including leading sites like EliteSingles, Match, and Eharmony. All you need to do is pick a favourite from the bunch.
These are the best dating sites in 2023.
Best cheap VPN in November 2023 (UK)
The best cheap VPNs deals, including popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.
The best VPNs aren’t necessarily the most expensive. Some of the best VPNs are actually really affordable, which is great news for anyone looking to secure cheap online security, data protection, and increased streaming options.
You have come to the right place if you’re looking for a premium VPN with advanced features, without the big price tag. We’ve lined up some great value options for absolutely everyone, and there is no need to compromise on security, connection speed, customer support, or anything else.
But first, there are a few things we need to cover.
What is a VPN?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide valuable protection for your data and identity when you’re navigating the online world. How do they do this? VPNs offer online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address and makes all of your information unreadable.
All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware. VPNs are primarily designed to provide online security, but there is another reason that millions of people use these services.
VPNs can also be used to stream movies and shows from around the world, and the process is actually really simple. We’ve already mentioned how VPNs provide anonymity by hiding your real IP address. Well, this technique can also be used to manipulate the streaming market. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick your favourite streaming sites into thinking that you are based in a different country. This provides access to all the extra content that would normally be restricted in your location.
Should you use free VPNs?
The question that everyone wants an answer to is whether you actually need to pay for a VPN. There are plenty of free VPNs out there, but do these offer the features you need to browse, shop, and stream securely? Unfortunately, there is often a catch with free versions (usually in the form of a limitation on your data usage or connection speed).
Occasional users will probably be satisfied with a free VPN, but if you’re going to be streaming or downloading on a regular basis, you should look elsewhere. The only exception to this rule is a free trial. These come without limitations, but obviously don’t tend to last for a long time.
The conclusion is that the best option for securing your data and streaming more content from around the world is with a paid subscription. The sad fact is that you’ll have to pay to gain access to advanced security features without limitations on your usage. It’s not all bad news though, because there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you’re willing to commit to a lengthy contract.
What should you consider before subscribing to a VPN?
The process of actually selecting a VPN can be seriously tricky, especially if you don’t know what to consider. Most of the best VPNs offer many of the same features with similar packages, so it’s important to know what matters.
To make your life a little bit easier, we have shortlisted a few things to consider before making any sort of decision:
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Network size and location — The best VPNs offer a large network of geographically diverse servers. The more servers (and server locations) offered by a VPN, the more likely you are to find a reliable and fast connection. This is also particularly important for streaming, as you should always be able to connect to a server in the country with the content you want to watch.
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Trustworthiness — We recommend finding an experienced provider with a strong track record and a clear privacy policy. It’s important that your VPN of choice guarantees your data won’t be logged or collected. If it isn’t obvious what happens to your data, you should steer clear.
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Jurisdiction — It’s a good idea to look for VPNs based in the British Virgin Islands, Panama, Switzerland, and other privacy-friendly countries. VPNs based in countries that fall under the jurisdiction of the intelligence-sharing alliances should be avoided: the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Spain. VPNs in these countries can be forced by authorities to collect and hand over user data.
-
Customer support — VPNs can be difficult to understand if you’re not an experienced user, and even if you are, problems can occur. Whether you’re a total beginner or not, customer support is key for dealing with any potential issues that might arise. You should also consider whether customer support is offered by phone, email, or web chat.
Make sure you carefully consider these features before deciding on the VPN that suits you and your lifestyle. Once you have narrowed down your options, you can begin the process of finding the best deals.
What is the best VPN?
We’re sorry to burst your bubble, but there isn’t one VPN that stands above all the rest. The best VPN for you really comes down to your own set of personal preferences. Once you find a few options that tick your boxes, you need to consider the best deals.
We have reached out to partners in order to provide you with market-leading prices on VPN subscriptions, with performance and security in mind. All of these VPN services have been handpicked not only because of the prices and deals on offer, but because they all offer the most important features to protect your online data and identity.
There are also plenty of services to consider on this list if your priority is unlocking streaming sites like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. Online security should always be the priority, but we know that many subscribers use these services to unlock more content from around the world. We get it, and we’re here to help.
These are the best deals on cheap VPNs in 2023.
Best early Black Friday TV deals 2023: Samsung, Best Buy
Black Friday is the best time to buy a TV on sale, like the 85-inch Samsung QN80C QLED TV at its Black Friday price of $1,999.99.
UPDATE: Nov. 8, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EST This post has been updated with the best early Black Friday TV deals including cheap 4K TVs and 2023 QLED and OLED releases from Samsung, LG, TCL, and more.
A quick look at the best early Black Friday TV deals:
Best Amazon TV deal
Insignia 50-inch F30 Series 4K Fire TV
$199.99
(save $100)
(save $100)
Best Walmart TV deal
onn. 65-inch 4K Roku TV
$298
(save $50)
(save $50)
Best Best Buy TV deal
LG 77-inch B3 Series OLED TV
$1,799.99
(save $1,100)
(save $1,100)
Best Samsung TV deal
Samsung 85-inch Q80C QLED TV
$1,999.99
(save $1,300)
(save $1,300)
TV deals have been a pillar of Black Friday since before robot vacuums or AirPods were even born.
While stampeding the automatic doors of Best Buy at 4 a.m. is an ancient practice, Black Friday is still one of the absolute best times of year to buy a TV on sale — you just don’t have to rush like that when you essentially have all month to shop Black Friday deals.
Most main TV destinations declared that it was Black Friday (to them, at least) at the beginning of November, with Samsung and Best Buy going as far as to straight-up tag certain deals as Black Friday deals. (Walmart is following on Nov. 8.)
Below, we’re tracking all of the early Black Friday TV deals by retailer, which are then organized by size and price for easy comparison. The list will be updated as more deals drop, but since so many of these TVs are already at their best prices of the season, it wouldn’t be ridiculous to make your move now and secure an extra few weeks of elevated football or Hallmark movie viewing.
Note: All deals marked with a 🚨 have been marked as an early Black Friday deal by the retailer.
Black Friday Amazon TV deals
Opens in a new window
Credit: Insignia
Why we like it
We’d be surprised if you found a cheaper 50-inch 4K TV than this one this Black Friday season. At less than $200, this Insignia model with the Fire TV platform built in provides seven extra inches of screen than the 43-inch version of Amazon’s in-house Fire TV.
More early Black Friday TV deals at Amazon
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Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $269.99
$369.99(save $100) -
Amazon 43-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $299.99
$399.99(save $100) -
Amazon 50-inch Omni QLED Fire TV — $409.99
$529.99(save $120) -
Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $269.99
$519.99(save $250) -
Hisense 55-inch U8 Mini-LED TV — $698
$1,099.99(save $401.99) -
Amazon 65-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $599.99
$759.99(save $160) -
Amazon 65-inch Omni QLED Fire TV — $599.99
$799.99(save $200) -
Amazon 75-inch Omni QLED Fire TV — $899.99
$1,099.99(save $200) -
TCL 85-inch QM8 Mini-LED QLED TV — $1,998
$2,799.99(save $801.99)
Black Friday Walmart TV deals
Opens in a new window
Credit: onn.
Why we like it
While Walmart has many of the same deals on premium TVs as Best Buy or Samsung’s own website, it’s the place to find cheap 4K TVs. Case in point: This 65-inch 4K TV from Walmart-owned brand onn. is possibly the cheapest 65-inch TV you’ll see this Black Friday. There’s no fancy backlighting here, but reviews making up the near 5,000 five-star ratings note that the picture is solid for the price. Roku is also built in.
More early Black Friday TV deals at Walmart
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LG 43-inch UQ7070 4K TV — $258
$338(save $80) -
Vizio 50-inch V Series 4K TV — $248
$319(save $71) -
Samsung 50-inch Crystal 4K TV — $398
$479.99(save $81.99) -
onn. 65-inch 4K Roku TV — $298
$348(save $50) -
Samsung 65-inch S90C OLED TV — $1,597.99
$3,299(save $1,701.01) -
LG 70-inch UQ70 4K TV — $498
$648(save $150) -
Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED TV — $1,949
$2,999(save $1,050) -
LG 86-inch UQ70 4K TV — $998
$1,198(save $200)
Black Friday Best Buy TV deals
Opens in a new window
Credit: LG
Why we like it
LG’s OLED models got a glow-up in 2023, and the B3 model is the most affordable one even at full price. With Best Buy’s early Black Friday discount of more than $1,000 off of the 77-inch model, this massive screen is basically begging to be in your living room.
The B3’s lower price point can mostly be attributed to its less-advanced a7 processor compared to the C3 and G3’s Alpha a9. However, the B3 runs laps around the cheapest-of-the-cheap 4K TVs with Dolby Vision and next-gen gaming features like a 120 Hz refresh rate, both of which help to push those 8.3 million self-lit pixels to their fullest potential.
More early Black Friday TV deals at Best Buy
-
Toshiba 43-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $189.99
$279.99(save $90)🚨 -
LG 48-inch A2 OLED TV — $549.99
$1,299.99(save $750)🚨 -
TCL 50-inch Q5 QLED TV — $249.99
$399.99(save $150) -
TCL 55-inch Q7 QLED TV — $599.99
$749.99(save $150) -
LG 55-inch UQ70 4K TV — $299.99
$499.99(save $200)🚨 -
TCL 55-inch Q5 QLED TV — $299.99
$449.99(save $150) -
Sony 55-inch A80L OLED TV — $1,399.99
$1,699.99(save $300)🚨 -
Insignia 58-inch F30 Series 4K TV — $269.99
$379.99(save $110) -
TCL 65-inch Q5 QLED TV — $399.99
$599.99(save $200) -
LG 65-inch B3 Series OLED TV — $1,299.99
$1,999.99(save $700) -
LG 65-inch 99 Series Mini-LED 8K TV — $1,499.99
$2,499.99(save $1,000)🚨 -
Sony 65-inch A75L OLED TV — $1,499.99
$2,599.99(save $1,100)🚨 -
Sony 65-inch X93L Mini LED TV — $1,599.99
$1,999.99(save $400)🚨 -
LG 65-inch C3 Series OLED TV — $1,599.99
$2,099.99(save $500) -
Toshiba 75-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $519.99
$799.99(save $280) -
Sony 75-inch X90L 4K TV — $1,499.99
$1,999.99(save $500)🚨 -
TCL 75-inch QM8 Mini-LED QLED TV — $1,698
$2,299.99(save $601.99) -
LG 77-inch C3 Series OLED TV — $2,499.99
$3,499.99(save $1,000)🚨 -
Sony 77-inch A80L OLED TV — $2,699.99
$3,299.99(save $700)🚨 -
LG 77-inch G3 Series OLED TV — $3,499.99
$4,299.99(save $700) -
LG 83-inch C2 Series OLED TV — $3,999.99
$4,499.99(save $500) -
TCL 85-inch S4 4K TV — $899.99
$999.99(save $100) -
Sony 85-inch X90L 4K TV — $1,999.99
$2,799.99(save $800)🚨 -
LG 86-inch UR7800 4K TV — $899.99
$1,249.99(save $350)🚨LG 86-inch 80 Series QNED TV — $1,699.99
$2,299.99(save $600)🚨 -
TCL 98-inch S5 4K TV — $3,499.99
$4,999.99(save $1,500)
Black Friday Samsung TV deals
Opens in a new window
Credit: Samsung
Why we like it
Of the handful of 85-inch Samsung TVs on sale this week, we think the deal on the Q80C is the best bang for your buck — considering Samsung has it marked as a Black Friday deal, complete with an extra $200 discount on top of its sale price from last week, bringing the total cost below $2,000.
The Q80C is Samsung’s most advanced QLED (before meeting the Neo QLED side of the family), packing 96 precisely-lit local dimming zones for the meticulous brightness necessary for watching sports in the daylight. Also present are advanced gaming features like a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
More early Black Friday TV deals at Samsung
-
Samsung 50-inch QN90C QLED TV — $1,099.99
$1,599.99(save $500)🚨 -
Samsung 55-inch QN85C QLED TV — $999.99
$1,499.99(save $500)🚨 -
Samsung 55-inch QN90C QLED TV — $1,397.99
$1,997.99(save $600) -
Samsung 55-inch S90C OLED TV — $1,299.99
$1,899.99(save $600)🚨 -
Samsung 65-inch Q60C QLED TV — $749.99
$999.99(save $250)🚨 -
Samsung 65-inch S90C OLED TV — $1,599.99
$2,599.99(save $1,000)🚨 -
Samsung 65-inch QN85C QLED TV — $1,299.99
$1,999.99(save $700)🚨 -
Samsung 65-inch QN90C QLED TV — $1,699.99
$2,799.99(save $1,100)🚨 -
Samsung 65-inch The Terrace Full Sun Outdoor QLED TV — $7,499.99
$9,999.99(save $2,500) -
Samsung 75-inch TU690T 4K TV — $579.99
$749.99(save $579)🚨 -
Samsung 75-inch QN85C QLED TV — $1,799.99
$2,699.99(save $900)🚨 -
Samsung 75-inch QN85C QLED TV — $2,299.99
$3,799.99(save $1,500)🚨 -
Samsung 75-inch QN90C QLED TV — $2,397.99
$3,297.99(save $900) -
Samsung 77-inch S89C OLED TV — $2,299.99
$3,599.99(save $1,300)🚨 -
Samsung 77-inch S90C OLED TV — $2,499.99
$3,599.99(save $1,100) -
Samsung 83-inch S90C OLED TV — $3,499.99
$5,399.99(save $1,900)🚨 -
Samsung 85-inch Q60C QLED TV — $1,499.99
$2,299.99(save $800) -
Samsung 85-inch Q70C QLED TV — $1,799.99
$2,799.99(save $1,000)🚨 -
Samsung 85-inch Q80C QLED TV — $1,999.99
$3,299.99(save $1,300)🚨 -
Samsung 85-inch QN800 QLED 8K TV — $2,499.99
$3,149.99(save $650)🚨 -
Samsung 85-inch QN90C QLED TV — $2,799.99
$4,799.99(save $2,000)🚨
How to unblock CTV for free
Unblock and watch CTV for free from anywhere in the world.
TL;DR: Unblock streaming services from around the world with ExpressVPN. This streaming-friendly VPN is a reliable choice for unblocking CTV.
CTV is a Canadian service offering international shows, live sports, premium movies, popular American series, and some of the best wildlife content around. And better yet, some content is ad-supported and available for free.
All of that is great, but this service has a familiar problem: it is geo-restricted to Canada. If you try and stream on CTV Go from outside Canada, you’ll be blocked by the platform. That’s frustrating, but all is not lost. You can access CTV Go from anywhere in the world with a VPN.
How to unblock CTV for free
With a VPN, you can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect to a server in Canada. This simple process can trick streaming sites like CTV Go into providing you with access from anywhere in the world.
Unblock CTV Go by following these simple steps:
-
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada
-
Visit CTV
-
Stream on CTV from anywhere in the world
Opens in a new window
Credit: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free)
£82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most leading VPNs do offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock CTV without committing with your cash. This isn’t a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to catch up on your favourite shows or watch a live sporting event.
What is the best VPN for CTV?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to unblock streaming services, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 94 countries including Canada
-
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
-
Strict no-logging policy
-
Fast streaming speeds
-
Up to five simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 with an extra three months of coverage for free, saving you 49% on list price. This plan includes a year of free Backblaze cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock CTV for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch college basketball livestreams without cable in 2023
Here’s your full guide on how to watch college basketball games without cable, including the best streaming deals.
Wondering how to watch college basketball this season? Here are your best options:
Best for regular season
FuboTV
free 7-day trial, then $74.99/month
Best for affordability
Sling TV Orange + Blue
$27.50/month for your first month, then $55/month
Best for top weekend games
Paramount+ with Showtime
$119.99/year
(save $23.89)
(save $23.89)
Best for Big Ten games
Peacock Premium
$5.99/month
Best for small school fans
ESPN+
$10.99/month
The 2023-24 men’s college basketball season is underway. There will be more than 5,000 games played throughout this season before the 2024 Final Four, which is scheduled to take place on April 6 and April 8 in Phoenix.
UConn is the reigning men’s college basketball national champion, and Purdue’s national player of the year Zach Edey is back for another campaign. This season features the Big 12 Conference expansion to 14 teams with BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF joining the league.
Rick Pitino, the former Kentucky and Louisville head coach, has gone from coaching Iona College in the MAAC to leading the St. John’s Red Storm in the Big East Conference. Syracuse also has a new head coach for the first time in more than 40 years following the retirement of Jim Boeheim, who was replaced by Adrian Autry.
Those are some of the exciting teams and stories to follow this season, but you’ll want to be able to watch all your favorite teams.
Can I watch college basketball games without cable?
Yes, you can watch college basketball games without cable. For many games, if you can’t be there in person, the only way to watch is via online live streaming services.
Some of the exclusive streaming services are ACC Network Extra, B1G+, ESPN+, FloHoops, Peacock, and SEC Network+. Even for those games on traditional TV channels, there are plenty of options to watch without cable or satellite TV.
There are two main alternatives to cable or satellite TV. One option is cable replacement, such as FuboTV or Sling. They offer a variety of channels, but they are more costly. Another option is to get a streaming service connected to a specific TV network. Those are cheaper, but they also have fewer channels.
What channels are college basketball games on?
Knowing what channels broadcast your favorite team will help you decide what streaming services to select. Broadcast contracts are based on the home team, so we’ve put together a list of the TV networks with contracts connected to each conference.
Here is a list of each conference and the channels and streaming services that will air games for each conference in 2023-24:
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America East — ESPN+
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American Athletic Conference (AAC) — CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
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Atlantic 10 (A10) — CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN+, MASN, USA Network
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Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) — ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN+, The CW
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Atlantic Sun — ESPN+
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Big 12 — CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, Fox, FS1, Longhorn Network
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Big East — CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox, FS1, FS2
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Big Sky — CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, ESPN+,
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Big Ten — Big Ten Network, B1G+, CBS, Fox, FS1, Peacock
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Big West — ESPN+, Spectrum Sports
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Colonial Athletic (CAA) — CBS Sports Network, FloHoops, MSG, NBC Sports Philadelphia, SNY
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Conference USA (CUSA) — CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, ESPN+
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Horizon — ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
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Ivy League — ESPN+
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Metro Atlantic Athletic (MAAC) — ESPNU, ESPN+
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Mid-American Conference (MAC) — CBS Sports Network, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
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Mid-Eastern (MEAC) — No intra-conference national TV games
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Missouri Valley — CBS Sports Network, ESPN+
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Mountain West (MW) — CBS, CBS Sports Network, Fox, FS1, NBC Sports Bay Area
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Northeast (NEC) — YES
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Ohio Valley (OVC) — ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
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Pac-12 Conference — CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, Fox, FS1, Pac-12 Network
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Patriot League — CBS Sports Network, ESPN+
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Southeastern Conference (SEC) — CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+
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Southern (SoCon) — ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
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Southland — ESPN+
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Southwestern Athletic (SWAC) — ESPNU, ESPN+
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Summit League — CBS Sports Network
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Sun Belt Conference (SBC) — ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
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West Coast (WCC) — CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
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Western Athletic (WAC) — ESPNU, ESPN+
In-season tournaments can make separate deals with TV networks. So for your favorite team, its road games and tournament games may appear on different networks than listed here.
What are the best streaming services for college basketball?
The channels needed to comprehensively watch college basketball during the 2023-24 season are ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, Fox, FS1, FS2, Longhorn Network, MASN, MSG, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, SNY, Spectrum, The CW, USA Network, and YES.
Additionally, you may want to consider streaming-only services like ACC Network Extra, B1G+, ESPN+, FloHoops, Peacock, and SEC Network+. Then for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, you’ll also need TNT, TBS, and TruTV.
If you have all those options, you can watch nearly every game this season, but there are not enough hours in the day to watch every game of every basketball team this season. Here’s some help to select the best streaming services to see the teams and leagues you’ll watch the most.
Most complete coverage: FuboTV
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Credit: FuboTV
FuboTV will be a great option for the college basketball regular season. Its Pro plan at $74.99 per month will give you access to hundreds of college basketball games. There is also a seven-day free trial.
If you’re a fan of teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, you’ll want to upgrade to the Elite plan to get the ACC Network. The Elite plan is $84.99 per month.
The biggest channels missing from the FuboTV lineup are TBS, TNT, and truTV. Those carry a large chunk of games during the NCAA Tournament, and the 2024 Final Four and national championship game are scheduled to be broadcast on TBS. To get those games, you’ll need to go elsewhere such as the B/R Sports add-on with Max.
FuboTV Pro plan channels: CBS, FOX, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, MSG, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and USA Network.
FuboTV Elite plan channels: CBS, FOX, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, MSG, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and USA Network. Plus, ACC Network, ESPNU, and ESPNEWS.
Channels unavailable through FuboTV: Longhorn Network, MASN, SNY, Spectrum, TBS, TNT, truTV, The CW, and YES.
Most affordable cable replacement: Sling TV Orange + Blue
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Credit: Sling TV
If you’re a casual college basketball fan, an option like Sling may be a good fit for you. With the Sling Orange plan, you get ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, and TNT for $40 per month (with an introductory rate of $20 for the first month).
You may want to increase your Sling tier if there are specific teams or leagues that you’re passionate about watching. The biggest channel that you can’t get through Sling is CBS, so you may need to look to Paramount+ to supplement this to catch all those games.
Sling Orange plan channels: ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, and TNT.
Sling Orange & Blue plan channels: ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, and TNT. Plus, FS1, truTV, USA Network, and Fox (in select markets).
FOX is available on Sling TV in select markets. Those include Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Gainesville, Houston, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.
Sling Orange & Blue + Sports Extra plan: Fox (in select markets), ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, TBS, TNT, truTV, and USA Network. Plus, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, FS2, Longhorn Network, Pac-12 Network, and SEC Network.
There are other options through Sling with different price points for just the Blue plan or the Sports Extra package added to either just the Orange plan or just the Blue plan.
Channels unavailable through Sling: CBS, CBS Sports Network, MASN, MSG, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Philadelphia, SNY, Spectrum, The CW, and YES.
Best for CBS broadcasts: Paramount+ with Showtime
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Credit: Paramount+
CBS mainly shows college basketball games on the weekends, so if you’re mainly a weekend viewer until March, this would work for you.
Paramount+ gives you a seven-day free trial. To live stream CBS on Paramount+, you need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, and that is $11.99 per month. You can also choose the annual plan at $119.99 per year, and you save about $1.99 per month.
Paramount+ also gives students a 25% discount.
CBS Sports Network games are not available to live stream through Paramount+
Best for exclusive Big Ten games: Peacock Premium
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Credit: Peacock
The Big Ten Conference will have games exclusively on Peacock this season, so to catch all those conference contests, you’ll need Peacock.
Members of the Big Ten Conference in 2023-24 include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, and Wisconsin.
There are 34 Big Ten men’s basketball games scheduled to be broadcast exclusively on Peacock. Peacock Premium costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
Best for small school fans: ESPN+
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Credit: ESPN+
If your favorite team plays in the America East, Atlantic Sun, Ivy League, or Southland conference, then ESPN+ is the only way to watch those teams without going to the games. For many other leagues that don’t have many games on traditional TV channels, ESPN+ is the primary way to watch games.
ESPN+ costs $10.99 per month or you can get an annual plan for $109.99 per year.
An ESPN+ subscription does not include access to live streaming games on ESPN or its channels. You need an additional cable, satellite, or streaming subscription that includes access to ESPN and its subsidiary channels to view those.
Best channel selection: YouTube TV
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Credit: YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers a 30-minute free trial. It is then $50.99 per month for the first three months. That will get you most of the way through the 2023-24 college basketball season. After the introductory rate, the rate is $72.99 per month starting in the fourth month.
YouTubeTV Base Plan channels: CBS, FOX, ACCN, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, FS1, FS2, SEC Network, TBS, TNT, truTV, The CW, and USA Network,
Channels unavailable through YouTube TV: Longhorn Network, MASN, MSG, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Pac-12 Network, SNY, Spectrum, and YES.
Crunchyroll is adding mobile games to its subscription service
Anime streamer Crunchyroll is adding free mobile games for some of its subscribers.
Crunchyroll is getting into gaming. On Tuesday, the anime streaming service launched Crunchyroll Game Vault, a destination for mobile games, for both its Mega and Ultimate Fan subscribers.
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The company said the Game Vault is now available for Android users and will be available on iOS “very soon.” The Game Vault launched with five titles — Captain Velvet: The Jump+ Dimensions, River City Girls, Wolfstride, Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery, and Inbento — and won’t have in-app purchases. The games will also be “free,” although you’d already be paying either $10 or $15 for a Crunchyroll subscription.
The Verge noted that Crunchyroll’s gaming offering looks to be more focused on “premium mobile games specifically for fans of anime and anime-inspired entertainment.”
That feels like a no-brainer considering folks in those subscription tiers are already shelling out good money for an anime service. It also feels like a natural choice, considering streamers like Netflix are already experimenting with gaming.
Using Affirm on Amazon: How to buy now, pay later this Black Friday
This Black Friday, using BNPL tools like Affirm on Amazon help with budgeting…or romanticize overspending.
Affirm is the first BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) service to be available directly through Amazon Pay, and shoppers love it. Last year, BNPL orders increased by 85 percent during Cyber Week compared to the week before, while revenue increased 88 percent. And just a few months back, Amazon Prime Day saw a 20% increase in BNPL use from the previous year. With inflation still wreaking havoc, it’s no stretch of the imagination to guess that Affirm use will remain high for Black Friday 2023.
The ability to pay for items in installments can sweeten your Black Friday prospects. But before going BNPL-wild on your Cyber Week haul, there are some factors to consider about Affirm versus other BNPL apps, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using these tools in general.
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Why Buy Now, Pay Later is so appealing
Layaway programs were popular with shoppers in the ’90s until they were overtaken by credit cards. But there is a key difference between layaway and BPNL. When you put an item on layaway, it was held for you until you paid it off, at which point you could take it home. With BPNL, you get the goods shipped to you right after you order and then pay off that item in installments.
When combined with Amazon‘s typically lightning-fast shipping and Affirm’s lack of late fees, BPNL can make big purchases feel easier to stomach.
Affirm’s interest rates typically range from 0 to 30% APR based on your credit and on the number of payments you select across three to 48 months. Different plans are available for different purchase amounts, and the minimum purchase amount to use Affirm is $50. Affirm’s APR calculator can help you estimate how much interest you’ll rack up on a certain purchase, which could hit $100 or more if you get a loan for, say, a pricey piece of furniture.
When it’s wise to buy now and pay later
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For some big purchases, using BNPL services may make sense. Breaking up the cost of big investments like a new MacBook Pro or premium robot vacuum can be easier to manage over time than laying down the whole amount in one go.
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Using BNPL services on necessities like groceries depends on your habits. Habitually funding little daily expenses (like Starbucks) with an installment app can trigger a domino effect of debt, but may work better if you’re buying something like toilet paper in bulk.
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When used responsibly, apps like Affirm can also help you work around the timing of your paycheck and monthly costs that require an up-front payment, like rent. Be aware that Affirm’s “soft inquiry” to determine your credit won’t affect your credit score, but the company doesn’t promise not to report your payment history to credit bureaus. To make sure you pay on time, we recommend turning on automatic payments and confirming that your payment method won’t expire over the pay period.
When you shouldn’t buy now and pay later
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Before purchasing with BPNL, consider whether you’d buy that item if you didn’t have the option to break up the payment.
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Don’t snag something just to hit Affirm’s $50 minimum.
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Make a wishlist ahead of time if you have to, and hold yourself accountable. The devil on your shoulder saying “You need this, though” can get louder when something is on sale. Especially during Black Friday, you don’t want to cancel out your savings with a serotonin booster that you didn’t know existed five minutes ago.
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Impulse purchases may feel less risky at the moment, thanks to tools like Affirm. But they can swiftly feel unnecessary once the Affirm reaper returns for payment month after month. Making a series of small payments can create the harmful illusion that you’re spending less money. While that’s technically accurate (and admittedly blissful) for the first few months, you’ll still be spending the same amount of money by the time you’ve paid out every installment.
Best Garmin deal: Score the Garmin epix Gen 2 smartwatch for just $599.99 at Amazon, down from $899.99. That’s a savings of $300.
Grab the Garmin epix (Gen 2) smartwatch for just $599.99, at Amazon as of Nov. 9. That’s a discount of 33%.
SAVE $300: Grab the Garmin epix (Gen 2) smartwatch on sale for $599.99, down from $899.99, at Amazon. That’s a discount of 33% and the lowest price we’ve ever seen.
Black Friday fitness deals are already dropping on home gym equipment and fitness trackers, but if you’re in the market for a premium smartwatch that comes packed with features, there’s a great deal on the Garmin epix today.
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Credit: Garmin
As of Nov. 7, you can score a Garmin epix (2nd Gen) smartwatch for just $599.99, down from $899.99, at Amazon for a savings of $300. This sale price is $100 lower than last month’s sale price, and this deal steals the spot as the lowest price ever. You’ll want to select the black titanium colorway to score the discounted price.
The Garmin epix smartwatch takes fitness seriously. It comes with all the tracking we’ve come to expect with fitness smartwatches like 24/7 heart rate monitoring, pulse oxygen levels, and workout tracking, but introduces some advanced tracking that might appeal to your future goals.
Follow along with animated workouts on your wrist or check in with the Garmin coach for adaptive training plans. The Garmin epix also comes with a visual race predictor that uses your past running data to estimate your pace on a given distance.
If surfing is one of your favorite activities, you’re in luck because the Garmin epix works with the Surfline widget to give you critical info like wave height and tide information. If you prefer to take to the slopes instead of the sea, check in with over 2,000 preloaded maps of ski resorts on the epix’s SkiView feature. You also have wrist access to over 42,000 maps of golf courses with CourseView.
If you’ve been eying a premium fitness smartwatch, the sale price of $599.99 on the Garmin epix (Gen 2) is hard to pass up.