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The 2026 March Madness Sweet 16 has started. After the first two rounds, we’ve seen several top seeded teams like Florida, Kansas, Kentucky and Gonzaga already knocked out. Now, with No. 2 seed Houston Cougars taking on the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini, another big domino will fall out of the tournament. With both teams making easy work of their opponents so far during March Madness, how will each squad fair going up against another dominant team?

Illinois is coming off a 76-55 last-second victory over VCU on Saturday in the second round, while Houston defeated Texas A&M 88-57 on Saturday. Both teams have won the last four of their five games. Keep reading on to learn how you can stream the Sweet 16 matchup on Sling TV.

When Does the Houston vs. Illinois Game Start?

The Houston vs. Illinois Sweet 16 game will air on March 26 at 10:05 p.m. ET/7:05 p.m. PT at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Where to Watch Houston vs. Illinois Online

If you want to watch the game, this March Madness round will broadcast live on TBS and TruTV, which can be streamed through Sling TV. Keep reading for how to sign up for the streaming service.

Here’s How to Watch the Houston vs. Illinois March Madness Game on Sling TV

If you don’t have cable, Sling TV offers the Blue, Orange and Sling Orange + Blue packages, which come with TBS, ESPN, NBC, USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW, Bravo and others. Blue is one of the most affordable options and comes with more than 40 channels and can be streamed on up to three devices at a time.

You can watch cable networks, including ESPN2, ESPN3 (for ABC simulcast), Disney Channel, Freeform, MotorTrend, A&E, AMC, BBC America, BET, CNN, Comedy Central, Food Network, Fuse, HGTV, History Channel, IFC, Lifetime, Nick Jr., QVC, TNT, Travel Channel, Vice and many others.

Meanwhile, starting at $4.99 for the Sling 1-Day Pass, you can access Sling Blue for 24 hours. Additionally, the Sling 3-Day Pass goes for $9.99 to access Sling Blue from Friday-to-Sunday. Sling 7-Day Pass, which goes for $14.99, gets you access for seven days of Sling Blue.

Please note: Prices and channel availability depends on your local TV market. You can learn more about Sling TV here.

Cardi B‘s legal winning streak continues. Los Angeles judge Ian C. Fusselman ruled on Thursday (March 26) that Cardi (born Belcalis Almanzar) can recover nearly $20,000 in trial fees tied to her court victory over a security guard who accused her of assault.

According to the ruling viewed by Billboard, the Superior Court of California’s tentative decision was posted prior to Thursday’s hearing, which will allow Cardi to recoup the $19,690.26 legal tab from security guard Emani Ellis, who lost her assault lawsuit against the Grammy-winning rapper in September.

The five-figure sum will cover Cardi’s costs for “filing and motion fees, jury fees, deposition costs, costs for service of process, court reporter fees, model costs and photocopies.”

Ellis and her attorney, Ron Rosen Janfaza, had been fighting to avoid paying up the nearly $20,000 in fees since November.

Judge Fusselman found the costs to be “reasonable” and rejected Ellis’ motion to dodge the sum in its entirety, ruling that her “unevidenced and legally untethered bad faith argument” against Cardi was non-persuasive. The court additionally ruled that Cardi and her attorney actually provided “substantial evidence in its opposition.”

Back in January, a Los Angeles judge fined Ron Rosen Janfaza $1,500 for violating court orders during the 2025 assault trial. Rosen had quizzed Cardi B about alleged gang ties on the stand despite that line of questioning being barred from the courtroom.

“It was no accident. It was not the result of inexperience or stress,” Judge Fusselman wrote in January’s ruling. “It was a knowing and intentional violation of the court’s ruling.”

Ellis sued Cardi B in 2020, claiming that she was assaulted by the rapper during an altercation outside a Beverly Hills gynecologist’s office in 2018, where she was working as a security guard at the time. Ellis alleged that the incident turned physical and that a pregnant Cardi left her with a scratch across her face.

The complaint finally went to trial in September, and jurors took less than an hour to reject all of Ellis’ assault claims and cleared the Grammy-winning rapper of any wrongdoing.

“This time around, I’m gonna be nice, but the next person that try to do a frivolous lawsuit against me — I’m going to countersue, and I’m gonna make you pay because this is not okay,” Cardi said following the September ruling. “I work hard for my money for my kids and for people I take care of, so don’t you ever think that you gonna sue me, and I’m just gonna settle and just give you my money. It’s not gonna happen.”

Cardi B is currently on the road for her Little Miss Drama Tour, which continues on Thursday with a second New York show at Madison Square Garden.

Cardi B’s lawyer offered no comment on the ruling, and Ellis’ attorney did not return Billboard‘s request for comment.

She’s done it again: Olivia Dean was the big winner at the 2026 MOBO Awards on Thursday (March 26) with victories in three categories.

The award ceremony recognizes music of black origin and includes a genre-spanning category field. Held at the Co-op Live in Manchester, the event honoured the 30th anniversary of the MOBOs’ first ceremony in 1996.

Dean collected a clutch of prizes during the ceremony. Her sophomore album The Art of Loving won album of the year while breakout hit “Man I Need” earned the song of the year prize. She also collected the best female act award and performed live on the night. These were Dean’s first nominations and wins at the MOBOs. They come hot off the heels of Dean’s win in the best new artist category at the Grammys and a haul of four gongs at the BRIT Awards.

Northampton-born rapper DC3 picked up multiple prizes in the best newcomer category and the best gospel act category.

Jim Legxacy earned the best male act prize, his first major award as a recording artist. His acclaimed mixtape Black British Music was released via XL Recordings in 2025, and he scored three BRIT nominations last month. RAYE won music video of the year for “Where Is My Husband!”, directed by The Reids.

The ceremony featured a number of genre categories, with FLO (R&B act), Ezra Collective (Jazz act), WizKid (African act), Chip (Grime act) and more among the winners. Pharrell Williams was honoured with the global songwriting award and Slick Rick was recognized with the lifetime achievement award.

Alongside Dean, the night featured performances from FLO, Tiwa Savage, Aitch, Myles Smith and more. A special medley performance honouring 25 years of grime featured Chip, D Double E, Wiley, Nolay and Scorcher.

The ceremony was hosted by comedian Eddie Kadi and musician Eve, and broadcast live on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel. Speaking to Billboard U.K. in the lead-up to the event, founder Kanya King said the anniversary was a “testament to endurance and the imagination and power to shape Black culture far beyond the U.K.”

See the full winners at the 2026 MOBO Awards below.

Best male act

Central Cee

Elmiene

WINNER: Jim Legxacy

Nemzzz

Odeal

Skepta

Best female act

Flo

Kwn

Little Simz

WINNER: Olivia Dean

PinkPantheress

Sasha Keable

Album of the year

Central Cee – Can’t Rush Greatness

Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching

Flo – Access All Areas

Kojey Radical – Don’t Look Down

Little Simz – Lotus

WINNER: Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving

Song of the year

AJ Tracey feat. Jorja Smith – “Crush”

Donae’o feat. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir – “Nights Like This”

Fred Again, Skepta & Plaqueboymax – “Victory Lap”

Jim Legxacy & Dave – “3x”

Kwn – “Do What I Say”

Myles Smith – “Nice To Meet You”

WINNER: Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”

PinkPantheress – “lllegal”

Raye – “Where Is My Husband!”

Tim Duzit – “Kat Slater”

Best newcomer

WINNER: DC3

EsDeeKid

Finessekid

Jim Legxacy

Kwn

namesbliss

Nia Smith

Sekou

Skye Newman

YT

Video of the year

Pozer – “Shanghigh Noon” (Directed by Bas Haselager)

FKA Twigs – “Eusexua“ (Directed by Jordan Hemingway)

Jim Legxacy – “’Father“ (Directed by Lauzza)

Little Simz – “Flood“ (Directed by Salomon Lighthelm)

WINNER: Raye – “Where Is My Husband!“ (Directed by The Reids)

Skepta & Fred Again – “Back 2 Back“ (Directed by Domamanic and Skepta)

Best R&B/soul act

Elmiene

WINNER: Flo

Kwn

Odeal

Olivia Dean

Sasha Keable

Best alternative music act

Alt Blk Era

Blood Orange

Hak Baker

Michael Kiwanuka

WINNER: Nova Twins

Rachel Chinouriri

Best grime act

WINNER: Chip

Jayahadadream

Kasst 8

Ruff Sqwad

Scorcher

Wiley

Best hip hop act

Aitch

Asco

Catch

WINNER: Central Cee

D-Block Europe

Kojey Radical

Little Simz

Loyle Carner

Wretch 32

Youngs Teflon

Best drill act

36

Booter Bee

Chy Cartier

Esdeekid

K-Trap

Leostaytrill

Nemzzz

Pozer

WINNER: Twin S

Wohdee

Best international act

WINNER: Ayra Starr

Cardi B

Clipse

Gunna

Kehlani

Leon Thomas

Mariah The Scientist

Moliy

Tyla

Vybz Kartel

Best media personality

Bemi Orojuogun (Bus Aunty)

DJ AG

In My Opinion

Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe (Melissa’s Wardrobe)

Nadia Jae

WINNER: Niko Omilana

PK Humble

Remi Burgz

Uche Natori

Winners Talking

Best performance in a TV show/film

Aaron Pierre – Mufasa: The Lion King

Ashley Thomas – Hostage

Ashley Walters – Adolescence

Cynthia Erivo – Wicked

Damson Idris – F1

Dayo Koleosho – Eastenders

Lennie James – Mr Loverman

Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths

WINNER: Stephen Graham – Adolesence

Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners

Best African music act

Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Davido (Nigeria)

Joshua Baraka (Uganda)

Moliy (Ghana)

Rema (Nigeria)

Shallipopi (Nigeria)

Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

Tyla (South Africa)

WINNER: Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best Caribbean music act

Ayetian

Lila Iké

Masicka

Shenseea

WINNER: Vybz Kartel

Yung Bredda

Best jazz act

Cktrll

Ego Ella May

WINNER: Ezra Collective

Kokoroko

Nubya Garcia

Yazmin Lacey

Best electronic/dance act

FKA Twigs

Jazzy

Kilimanjaro

Pinkpantheress

Salute

WINNER: Sherelle

Best gospel act

Annatoria

WINNER: DC3

Faith Child

Imrhan

Sondae

Still Shadey

Best producer

Inflo

Jae5

Miles Clinton James

WINNER: P2J

Sammy Soso

Zach Nahome

Global songwriting award

WINNER: Pharrell Williams

Lifetime achievement award

WINNER: Slick Rick

Many of K-pop’s biggest superstars will gather in Los Angeles this summer for KCON LA 2026, including TOMORROW X TOGETHER, NCT 127, P1Harmony and more.

As announced Thursday (March 26), the three-day festival will kick off Aug. 14 with NCT 127 as the headliner of a bill featuring KickFlip, SANTOS BRAVOS, TREASURE, &TEAM, from20 & HELLO GLOOM, KEYVITUP and ONE PACT. The next day will be led by ZEROBASEONE with ILLIT, izna, P1Harmony, NCT’s TAEYONG, YEONJUN and RESCENE also set to appear.

The third and final day of the festival on Aug. 16 will feature headliner TOMORROW X TOGETHER as well as ALLDAY PROJECT, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, JO1, MEOVV and So!YoON!

Most of the acts on the lineup will perform on the M COUNTDOWN STAGE, while from20 & HELLO GLOOM, KEYVITUP, ONE PACT, RESCENE, So!YoON! will take the X STAGE, which is dedicated to amplifying up-and-coming artists on a global scale.

KCON dates back to 2012 and is now held in 14 different locations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. Beyond music and the ever-expanding genre of K-pop, the festival also spotlights Korean beauty, food, culture and lifestyle. In 2025, NCT 127, aespa, RIIZE, KISS OF LIFE, MEOVV, NOWADAYS, MONSTA X and more were among the artists on the L.A. lineup.

This year, KCON LA is taking place at Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center. A presale for KCON EXPRESS members will launch April 1 at 10 a.m. PDT on AXS.com, while a general ticket sale will follow on April 3 at 10 a.m. PDT — also via AXS.com.

Check out the KCon LA lineup below.

The University of Southern California (USC) has reached a tentative settlement in Sony Music’s lawsuit alleging its sports teams used hundreds of unlicensed songs by stars like Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Bruno Mars and Travis Scott in Instagram and TikTok hype videos.

A Wednesday (March 25) notice in New York federal court says Sony and USC have agreed to a “settlement in principle” that would end the major label’s copyright infringement claims. They asked a judge to suspend current litigation deadlines so they can finalize and sign the deal, the terms of which have not been disclosed.

Reps for Sony and USC both declined to comment on the settlement on Thursday (March 26).

Sony sued USC almost exactly a year ago, claiming the school’s various sports social media accounts had posted more than 250 videos featuring more than 170 unlicensed songs owned by the music giant. The list included a slew of No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode,” Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” and SZA’s “Kill Bill.”

The lawsuit complained that USC could have afforded to buy synch licenses for these songs, noting that the college sports powerhouse generates more than $200 million in annual revenue. Sony sought the maximum damages of $150,000 per allegedly infringed song, which would total more than $25 million.

In a statement to Billboard at the time, a USC rep said the university “respects the intellectual property rights of others and will respond to these allegations in court.” USC’s pre-settlement court filings focused narrowly on the issue of venue, arguing it was improper for the California-based institution to be sued in New York.

It’s become common practice in recent years for the major record labels to sue owners of corporate social media accounts over music licensing. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok have blanket licenses in place that allow individual users to freely soundtrack their videos from vast libraries of pre-cleared songs, music companies require commercial accounts to purchase synch licenses to use their material.

These lawsuits have roped in such targets as Chili’s, NBA teams and the cookie company Crumbl. The bulk of these cases settle confidentially. Some defendants fight back, though; shoe retailer DSW, for example, recently went on the offensive with a lawsuit of its own, claiming blanket social media licenses should also cover businesses.