What happened and why it matters

TBS has quietly stacked its schedule for both comedy and sports: Impractical Jokers has been renewed for a 13th season as the prank series closes out Season 12 on a ratings upswing, and the network will carry select games from the 2026 NCAA March Madness bracket. For viewers that don’t have traditional cable, there are multiple streaming paths to reach TBS for the tournament and the returning series.

Who, what, when

Impractical Jokers — the hidden‑camera comedy show that pits longtime friends against public dares — will return for Season 13, sources say, after the show posted unusually strong numbers during the second half of its 12th season.

On the sports side, TBS is one of the broadcasters carrying select games from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The First Round begins on Thursday, March 19, 2026, with High Point vs. Wisconsin scheduled to tip at 1:50 p.m. ET on TBS.

How to watch TBS without cable

If you’ve cut the cord, you don’t need a traditional pay‑TV subscription to watch TBS. Live TV streaming services include the channel, and many offer free trials or introductory pricing that can help you catch both the Jokers renewal season and March Madness games.

  • DirecTV Stream: Includes TBS in its channel lineup; promotional pricing and a short free trial have been available for new subscribers.
  • Sling TV: Offers packages (Orange, Blue or Orange + Blue) that include TBS; plan selection affects channel count and simultaneous streams.
  • Hulu + Live TV: Carries TBS alongside more than 90 live channels and the Hulu library; bundles with Disney+ and ESPN content may be available.

Availability and price can vary by market, so check each streamer for current deals, trial windows and channel lineups before you sign up.

Industry and fan reaction

Renewing Impractical Jokers signals that TBS still sees value in established unscripted franchises, especially when they can grow viewership on basic cable. Fans of the series have been active on social platforms celebrating the renewal and rewatching classic pranks, while sports viewers are already planning where to stream key March Madness matchups without cable.

What to expect next

TBS hasn’t announced a premiere date for Season 13 of Impractical Jokers; expect an official schedule once Season 12 finishes its run. For March Madness, mark March 19, 2026, on your calendar for the First Round tipoff on TBS and confirm your streaming setup ahead of the tournament to avoid last‑minute sign‑ups.

In short: TBS is balancing comedy and big‑time college basketball this cycle. Whether you follow the jokers or the bracket, streaming services make the network accessible without a cable bill — just compare trials, device limits and regional availability to pick the right option.