The Masters on DirecTV: Channel Information and Schedule

The Masters on DirecTV airs on ESPN (channel 206) for Thursday and Friday rounds and on CBS (local affiliate or national feed channel 389) for weekend coverage. The 2025 tournament runs April 10–13, with ESPN starting daily coverage at 3:00 p.m. ET and CBS picking up at 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. Below are the exact channel numbers, the full broadcast schedule, and the steps to verify your setup before the first tee shot.

Channel Numbers for ESPN and CBS on DirecTV

Network	DirecTV Channel	Coverage Type
ESPN	206	Thursday–Friday rounds, Featured Groups, Amen Corner simulcast
CBS	Local affiliate (varies by ZIP) or national feed on 389	Saturday–Sunday main broadcast
DirecTV 4K / HDR	105 (requires compatible receiver and 4K TV)	Select final-round 4K HDR coverage

Press the GUIDE button on your remote and search for channel 206. If it does not appear, your package may not include ESPN. Check your subscription online at directv.com or call customer service to upgrade before the tournament. These channel numbers apply to standard DirecTV satellite and DirecTV Stream as of 2025. If you have an older non-HD receiver, ESPN 206 may still work but in standard definition only; 4K (105) will not be available.

In past years (for example, 2023 and 2024), DirecTV has used the same channel assignments, so these numbers are consistent year to year. However, always confirm the guide a day before the tournament in case of last-minute changes.

Full Broadcast Schedule for the 2025 Masters

All times Eastern. The official broadcast windows are stable from year to year, but check your local guide for any pre-round shows.

Day	Network	Time (ET)	What’s Covered
Thursday, April 10	ESPN	3:00–7:30 p.m.	First round main feed (pre-show typically starts at 2:30 p.m.)
	Masters Live (via DirecTV login)	8:45 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.	Featured Groups, Amen Corner, Holes 15 & 16
Friday, April 11	ESPN	3:00–7:30 p.m.	Second round main feed (similar pre-show window)
	Masters Live (via DirecTV login)	8:45 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

| Same digital extras |

| Saturday, April 12 | CBS | 3:00–7:00 p.m. | Third round (CBS pre-show may begin at 2:30 p.m.) |

| Sunday, April 13 | CBS | 2:00–7:00 p.m. | Final round (pre-show starts at 1:30 p.m.) |

If you only have a basic package without ESPN, you will miss the Thursday and Friday rounds entirely on TV. However, you can still watch the weekend rounds on CBS (local or national feed). Digital extras (Featured Groups, Amen Corner) require logging into the official Masters app or website with your DirecTV credentials – they are not available through the TV guide even if you have ESPN.

How to Find Your Local CBS Affiliate

CBS is a local affiliate, so the channel number changes by ZIP code. For example, DirecTV in New York City typically assigns CBS to channel 2, while in Los Angeles it may be channel 982, and in Chicago it is often channel 2 as well. Here is how to lock it in before the tournament starts:

1. Go to directv.com/channel-finder and enter your ZIP code – the tool shows your local CBS channel.

2. Press the voice button on your remote and say “CBS,” or scroll through the GUIDE until you see the local CBS logo (usually in the low 2–13 range for major markets).

3. If your local CBS does not appear, tune to channel 389 for the national CBS feed. This feed carries the same tournament coverage but may have different commercial breaks and no local pre-emptions.

4. For 4K coverage on Saturday and Sunday: go to Settings > Audio & Video > 4K/HDR to confirm your receiver is compatible, then tune to channel 105.

The national CBS feed (389) works for the main broadcast, but if your local affiliate cuts in with local programming during a delay or weather alert, the national feed will not reflect that. Test which feed your area uses by checking the guide a day before the tournament. Also, if you travel during Masters week, your local CBS channel will change based on your billing ZIP; use the channel‑finder tool again to confirm.

Coverage Limitations to Verify Before Thursday

4K HDR Requirements

DirecTV has offered a 4K HDR feed for the final rounds on channel 105 in recent years (including 2023 and 2024). This requires a Genie or Gemini receiver, a 4K television with HDCP 2.2, and proper HDMI cables. If your receiver is older (HR24 or earlier), 4K will not work – you will see a black screen or error message. Test channel 105 a day early to confirm compatibility. If you do not have a 4K setup, the standard HD feeds on ESPN 206 and CBS (local or 389) are perfectly adequate.

Package and Channel Access

ESPN (channel 206) is included in most Entertainment tier packages and above. Customers with the Select or Family package may need to upgrade. Check your current plan at directv.com/plans or by pressing INFO on your remote when tuned to channel 206. Unlike some other sports, the Masters has no regional blackout on CBS or ESPN – every DirecTV customer in the U.S. with the respective channel can watch the broadcast.

DirecTV Stream vs. Satellite Differences

Stream subscribers get the same ESPN (206) and local CBS through the app, and can log into Masters Live without extra steps. Satellite subscribers must use the DirecTV app or website to access digital extras – the digital feeds are not available through the satellite guide.

Digital Extras Login Path

The Masters Live app (on smart TVs, phones, and tablets) will prompt you to select your TV provider. Choose DirecTV and sign in with your account credentials. If you have DirecTV satellite but cannot remember your online login, you can reset it at directv.com or use the DirecTV app as an intermediary – do not wait until the tournament starts to set this up. The digital extras have been available since at least 2019 and include dedicated coverage of Amen Corner and Holes 15 & 16, plus Featured Groups for early-round leaders.

FAQ

Can I watch The Masters on DirecTV without a satellite dish?

Yes, DirecTV Stream includes both CBS and ESPN, and you can access all Masters Live digital feeds through the DirecTV app without an extra login.

What if my local CBS affiliate is missing from the guide?

Search the low channel numbers (2–13) first. If it is not there, the national feed on channel 389 will work for the tournament. You can also call DirecTV customer support to confirm your local assignment; sometimes a rescan of channels fixes the issue. In some smaller markets, the local CBS affiliate may appear in the 900s, so scroll through the entire guide.

Do I need a special package to watch the early rounds?

ESPN (channel 206) is included in most Entertainment tier packages and above. If you have the Select or Family package, you may need to upgrade. Check your current plan at directv.com/plans or by pressing INFO on your remote when tuned to channel 206.

For the most up-to-date listings, check your DirecTV on-screen guide or the directv.com channel lineup tool a day before the tournament starts. That step ensures you catch any last-minute changes and have time to troubleshoot.

Michael Reeves

Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.

His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.

When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.

You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.