The 2025 Masters TV coverage schedule utilized a multi-platform approach, splitting linear broadcast duties between ESPN and CBS while offering extensive digital streaming through Masters.com and the Masters App. The tournament, which took place from April 10–13, 2025, provided fans with over 100 hours of live supplemental footage alongside traditional afternoon windows.
The Masters remains the most exclusive and meticulously produced event in professional golf. Because Augusta National Golf Club maintains strict control over its broadcast image, the television schedule follows a highly predictable and traditional pattern. For the 2025 tournament—the 89th edition of the event—the viewing experience was categorized into four distinct segments: practice round highlights, the Par 3 Contest, the early rounds on ESPN, and the weekend "Third and Fourth" rounds on CBS.
The 2025 Linear Television Broadcast Structure
The 2025 Masters followed the long-standing contractual arrangement where ESPN handled the first two rounds of competitive play, and CBS Sports took over for the critical weekend rounds. This split is a staple of Masters coverage, designed to balance the cable reach of ESPN with the broad network television audience of CBS for the crowning of the champion.
Rounds 1 and 2: ESPN’s Coverage
On Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11, ESPN provided the primary afternoon broadcast window. These broadcasts typically ran from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM ET. The goal of this window was to capture the late-starting "marquee" pairings while providing a comprehensive recap of the morning wave’s performances.
One of the unique aspects of the 2025 ESPN broadcast was the inclusion of "Welcome to the Masters," a pre-game show that bridged the gap between morning highlights and live afternoon play. ESPN also utilized its "megacast" capabilities via ESPN+, which allowed viewers to toggle between the main telecast and specific feeds like "Featured Groups" or "Amen Corner" during the early rounds.
The Weekend: CBS Sports and the Pursuit of the Green Jacket
On Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, coverage shifted to CBS. For decades, CBS has been the home of the Masters weekend, famous for its "soft-lit" production style and the iconic theme music composed by Dave Loggins.
The 2025 Saturday broadcast aired from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM ET. The final round on Sunday began earlier, at 2:00 PM ET, to ensure the broadcast concluded before sunset and allowed for the traditional Green Jacket ceremony in the Butler Cabin. Jim Nantz, the lead anchor for CBS, celebrated another year as the voice of Augusta, maintaining the "A Tradition Unlike Any Other" branding that has defined the tournament's television presence.
Comprehensive 2025 Masters Coverage Timetable
The following table outlines the specific broadcast windows for the 2025 Masters. Please note that these times represent the primary "main feed" coverage.
| Day | Date | Event | Platform | Time (Eastern) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | April 7 | Practice Rounds / Live from the Masters | Golf Channel / Masters.com | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
| Tuesday | April 8 | Practice Rounds / Press Conferences | Golf Channel / Masters.com | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | April 9 | Masters Par 3 Contest | ESPN / ESPN+ | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | April 10 | Round 1 | ESPN / ESPN+ | 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM |
| Friday | April 11 | Round 2 | ESPN / ESPN+ | 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM |
| Saturday | April 12 | Round 3 | CBS / Paramount+ | 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | April 13 | Round 4 | CBS / Paramount+ | 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Digital Streaming and Supplemental Feeds
While the linear TV schedule is limited to specific afternoon windows, the digital coverage of the 2025 Masters was virtually limitless. Augusta National has pioneered the "all-access" digital experience, providing fans with the ability to follow every shot of every player through their proprietary technology.
Masters.com and the Masters App
The gold standard for sports streaming, the Masters App provided several specialized channels that operated concurrently with the main TV broadcast:
- Amen Corner: Live coverage of Holes 11, 12, and 13. This feed typically began in the morning (around 10:45 AM ET) and ran until the final group cleared the 13th green.
- Holes 15 and 16: A dedicated feed focusing on the crucial par-5 15th and the par-3 16th, where many tournaments are won or lost.
- Featured Groups: Two separate channels that followed specific high-profile groupings from their first tee shot to their final putt.
- Every Shot, Every Hole: A digital feature that allowed users to search for any player and view every stroke they took during the 2025 tournament.
Paramount+ and ESPN+
For cord-cutters, Paramount+ served as the digital home for the CBS broadcast. Subscribers to the "Premium" or "Essential" tiers could stream the CBS feed live. ESPN+ provided a similar service for the Thursday and Friday rounds, while also hosting the exclusive "Featured Groups" feeds that were not available on the main cable channel.
Technical Production and Broadcast Quality
The 2025 Masters continued the tradition of being a "technical showcase" for the latest in broadcast technology. Since Augusta National restricts the amount of commercial time to just four minutes per hour, the production quality is significantly higher than a standard PGA Tour event.
4K and HDR Broadcasts
In 2025, the tournament was once again available in 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) with High Dynamic Range (HDR). This was primarily accessible through specific providers like DirecTV and Comcast Xfinity, as well as the Masters App on compatible devices (such as Apple TV 4K or Roku Ultra). The 4K coverage focused specifically on Amen Corner and Holes 15/16, providing a level of clarity that highlighted the vibrant azaleas and the complex undulations of the greens.
The Role of "Live from the Masters"
The Golf Channel served as the primary destination for pre-game and post-game analysis. While they did not have the rights to show live tournament action, their "Live from the Masters" program provided over 50 hours of coverage during the week. This included live look-ins at the practice range, detailed green-reading analysis, and interviews with caddies and coaches. For fans who wanted the full "atmosphere" of the 2025 tournament, the Golf Channel was an essential supplement to the CBS/ESPN schedule.
International Viewing Options
The 2025 Masters TV schedule varied significantly for viewers outside the United States. Augusta National partners with specific national broadcasters to ensure global reach.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports Golf held the exclusive rights. Coverage was nearly 24/7 during tournament week, including early-round "Featured Groups" and the full CBS feed in the evenings.
- Canada: TSN and CTV shared the rights, following a similar pattern to the US broadcast where TSN handled early rounds and CTV carried the weekend finish.
- Australia: Fox Sports and the Kayo streaming service provided live coverage, though the time difference required Australian viewers to watch in the early morning hours.
Why the Masters TV Schedule is Unique
To understand the 2025 schedule, one must understand the philosophy of Augusta National. Unlike other majors (like the U.S. Open or the Open Championship) that broadcast from dawn until dusk, the Masters intentionally limits live television hours. This is done to protect the "in-person experience" and to maintain a sense of prestige.
By limiting the main broadcast to the afternoon, the tournament creates a "must-see" television event. However, the rise of digital streaming has bridged this gap. In 2025, while you couldn't watch the main CBS feed at 10:00 AM, you could watch the leaders warm up on the range or play through Amen Corner via the Masters App. This "hybrid" model of limited TV and unlimited digital access has become the template for modern sports broadcasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel was the 2025 Masters on?
In the United States, the 2025 Masters was broadcast on ESPN for the first and second rounds (Thursday and Friday) and CBS for the third and fourth rounds (Saturday and Sunday). Additionally, the Par 3 Contest aired on ESPN on the Wednesday prior to the tournament.
Can I watch the 2025 Masters for free?
While the cable and network broadcasts required a subscription or an antenna, Masters.com and the Masters App traditionally provide free streaming of supplemental feeds, including Amen Corner and Featured Groups. However, the full "simulcast" of the CBS and ESPN TV broadcasts usually requires authentication through a provider or a paid service like Paramount+.
What time did the 2025 Masters start each day?
Live tournament play typically began around 8:00 AM ET with the honorary starters. However, the TV broadcast did not begin until 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday, the TV broadcast began earlier at 2:00 PM ET. Digital streaming of Featured Groups usually started much earlier, around 9:15 AM ET.
How do I watch the 2025 Masters on my phone?
The best way to watch the 2025 Masters on a mobile device was through the Masters App, available on iOS and Android. This app provided the most comprehensive experience, including "My Group" (where you can create a custom feed of your favorite players) and live leaderboards with integrated video highlights.
Is the 2025 Masters available in 4K?
Yes, the 2025 Masters provided 4K coverage for specific parts of the course, most notably Amen Corner (Holes 11, 12, and 13) and the finishing stretch (Holes 15 and 16). Viewers needed a 4K-compatible device and a provider that supported the UHD feed, such as DirecTV or certain streaming platforms.
Final Recommendations for Future Viewing
To ensure you never miss a moment of the Masters in future years, it is highly recommended to download the Masters App at least one week before the tournament begins. The app not only provides the live schedule but also includes historical data and player bios that enrich the viewing experience. If you are a cord-cutter, ensure you have active subscriptions to ESPN+ and Paramount+ before the first round begins on Thursday to avoid missing the transition from early-round coverage to the weekend finish. For the most immersive experience, pair the live TV broadcast with a secondary screen (tablet or laptop) running the "Amen Corner" feed to see how the leaders handle the most difficult stretch of the course.
