10 Best Services to Watch TBS Live Without Cable

cord-cutting › tbs • December 16, 2024 • Staff

TBS is known for Conan, 2 Broke Girls, and airs a variety of comedy shows like Friends nad The Big Bang Theroy. If you're looking for laughs, TBS is a good place to stop by.

You can watch TBS without cable on Sling Orange, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream Choice, DirecTV Stream Premier, Spectrum TV Choice, or Max + B/R Sports Add-on.

Below, we count down the best ways to watch TBS that cord-cutters use. We made this ranking based on each service's value: how many other channels each dollar of subscription will get you.

TBS on Sling Orange

Sling TV Orange is perfect for the live TV minimalist: $40 a month, a lean array of 32 channels, and the ability to stream on only a single screen at once. You can add small channel bundles to the package as well if you’d like, leaving you in control and ensuring that you’re not going overboard paying for stuff you don’t need.

You can also combine Sling Orange with NFL Season Pass for $160 when you prepay for 4 months.

Go to Sling Orange

Price: ~~$40~~ $20

Channel lineup: A&E, AMC, AXS TV, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg Television, Cartoon Network, Charge!, CNN, Comedy Central, Comet, Disney Channel, EPIX Drive-In, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Food Network, Freeform, Fuse, HGTV, History, IFC, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, Local Now, MGM+, MotorTrend, Nick Jr., QVC, Sling Scapes, TBS, TNT, Travel Channel, Vice

Device availability: Airplay supported, AirTV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Cox, Google TV Streamer, iOS, LG TV, Mi Box, Roku, Samsung TV, TiVo, Vizio, Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox, Xbox One

TBS on Sling Blue

If you’re in the market for a live TV service to add to your streamer collection, Sling TV Blue is a competitive choice. For $40 a month, you get access to over 40 channels and their on-demand content, plus 50 hours of DVR storage — a cost-effective option that blows traditional cable out of the water.

You can also combine Sling Blue with NFL Season Pass for $160 when you prepay for 4 months.

Go to Sling Blue

Price: ~~$40~~ $20

Channel lineup: A&E, ABC, AMC, AXS TV, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg Television, Bravo, Cartoon Network, Charge!, CNN, Comedy Central, Comet, Discovery Channel, E!, EPIX Drive-In, Food Network, FOX, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fuse, FX, HGTV, History, HLN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, Local Now, MGM+, MSNBC, National Geographic, NBC, NBC local channels, NFL Network, Nick Jr., QVC, Sling Scapes, SYFY, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, USA Network, Vice

Device availability: Airplay supported, AirTV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox 360

TBS on DirecTV Stream

Named the "best all-around streaming service for cord-cutters" by Rolling Stone, DirecTV Stream tries to be all the good things about cable without any of the hassle. It has a big selection of channels, possibly the best stream quality in the market, and great DVR capability. For example, unlike with competitor Youtube TV, your DVR recordings on DirecTV will be the same quality as the live stream (often in 4K). The service also comes with a decent monthly price tag, and Netflix-style practicality that allows you to stream Live TV from anywhere by downloading the app. Within your home, you can stream on up to 20 devices (!), and from outside your home you can stream on up to three devices.

Go to DirecTV Stream

Price: $86.99/month

Free Trial: 5 days

Channel lineup: ABC, ACC Network, AccuWeather, Alien Nation, AMC, Anger Management, Animal Planet, Are We There Yet?, AXS TV, BABY FIRST, BabyTV, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS local channels, Cleo TV, CMT, C NBC, CNN, CNN en Espanol, CNNi, Comedy Central, Comedy Dynamics, Court TV, Crime 360, CW, Daystar HD, Discovery Channel, Duck Dynasty, E! Entertainment, EarthxTV, Ebony TV, El Rey Rebel, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, FMC, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Weather, Freeform, FUEL TV, Fuse Music, FX, Galavision, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery, HerSphere, HGTV, HLN, Home Shopping Network, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, ION Television, Jewelry Television, MotorTrend, MovieSphere, MSNBC, MTV Classic, MTV2, NBA TV, NBC, NBC local channels, News Nation, Nick Jr., One America News, Ovation, Oxygen True Crime, Paramount Network, PBS, PBS Kids, PBS local channels, Poker GO, Pursuit Channel, QVC, QVC2, QVC3, Racing America, REELZ, REVOLT, RFD-TV, RSNs, Scientology Network, Scripps Sports, Shop LC, Somos Novelas, Spectrum SportsNet, SportsGrid, Start TV, SundanceTV, SYFY, Tastemade Home, Tastemade Travel, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Telemundo local channels, The First, theGrio, TLC, TNT, truTV, TV Land, TV One, Univision, Up TV, USA Network, VH1, WE tv, Women’s Sports Network

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV

TBS on Sling Orange + Blue

At $55 a month, subscribers to Sling TV Orange and Blue treat themselves to the best of both worlds. You can live in the moment with 51 live channels, or tune in whenever you want, choosing from a host of on-demand content. If you’re hesitant to cut the cord completely, this package definitely eases the transition.

You can also combine Sling Blue with NFL Season Pass for $199 when you prepay for 4 months.

Go to Sling Orange + Blue

Price: ~~$60~~ $40

Channel lineup: A&E, ABC, AMC, AXS TV, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg Television, Bravo, Cartoon Network, Charge!, CNN, Comedy Central, Comet, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, E!, EPIX Drive-In, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Food Network, FOX, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Freeform, Fuse, FX, HGTV, History, HLN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, Local Now, MotorTrend, MSNBC, National Geographic, NBC, NBC local channels, NFL Network, Nick Jr., QVC, SYFY, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, USA Network, Vice

Device availability: Airplay supported, AirTV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Cox, Google TV Streamer, iOS, iPhone, LG TV, Mi Box, Roku, Samsung TV, TiVo, Vizio, Vizio Smart TV, Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox, Xbox One

TBS on Hulu with Live TV

Movies, acclaimed TV shows ready for binging, your favorite current series — and more than 75 live channels at your fingertips. For $82.99 a month, Hulu with Live TV lets you have it all. The package’s 50 hours of DVR storage sounds smaller compared to its competitors, but with Hulu’s content library included, it’s a trade off that ensures you won’t be left wanting more.

Go to Hulu with Live TV

Price: $82.99/month

Free Trial: 3 days

Channel lineup: A&E, ABC, ABC Localish, ABC News Live, ACC Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, BET, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg Television, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS News, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar News, CMT, C NBC, CNN, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cozi TV, CW, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN College Extra, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Freeform, FS1, FS2, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Golf Channel, Hallmark, Hallmark Mystery, HGTV, History, HLN, ID, Justice Central TV, Lifetime, Lifetime Movies, Localish, Military History Chanel, Motor Trend, MSNBC, MTV, NASA, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBC, NBC local channels, NBC News Now, NBCLX, News Nation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS, PBS local channels, Pop, QVC, RSNs, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, Spectrum SportsNet, Start TV, SYFY, TBS, TCM, Telemundo, The Grio, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, Turner Classic Movies, TVLand, Universal Kids, USA Network, VH1, Vice, Weather Channel

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, iPhone, LG TV, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Roku TV, Samsung TV, Vizio Smart TV, Xbox

TBS on YouTube TV

Looking to keep your favorite shows at your fingertips, preserve access to live sports and news broadcasts, but still want to cut the cord? YouTube TV is the answer. At $73 a month it skews more expensive than other live streamers, you won’t be able to find a more extensive, all-inclusive package anywhere else.

Go to YouTube TV

Price: $72.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Channel lineup: ABC, ABC News, ACCN, Adult Swim, AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bounce, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar, Cheddar News, CMT, C NBC, C NBC World, CNN, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Comet, Court TV, Cozi TV, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Disney, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Docurama, Dove Channel, E!, ESPN, ESPN U, ESPN2, ESPNews, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, Galavision, Game Show Network, Get TV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Family, Hallmark Mystery, HGTV, HLN, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Justice Central TV, LAFC Channel, Law & Crime, Live Now, Local Now, Localish, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV 2, MTV Classic, My TV, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, NBC, NBC local channels, NBC News Now, NBC Universo, NBCLX, NBCSN, NECN, News Nation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Orlando City Channel, OWN, Oxygen, Oxygen True Crime, Paramount, PBS, PBS Kids, PBS local channels, PC Mag, Pop, popular option, QVC, Recipe.TV, RSNs, Scripps News, Scripps Sports, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SNY, Start TV, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBS, TCM, Teen Nick, TeleHit, Telemundo local channels, The CW, The Great Courses, The Weather Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, Tru TV, Turner Classic Movies, TV Land, TYT, Unimas, Unimas local channels, Universal Kids, Univision, Univision local channels, USA Network, VH1, WE tv

Device availability: Airplay supported, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV Streamer, iOS, LG TV, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung TV, Shareplay supported, Sharp, Vizio, Xbox

TBS on DirecTV Stream Choice

There's a reason why DirecTV Stream Choice is the provider's most popular package to date: it carries over 105 channels, many of which are specialty sports channels like Big Ten Network, MLB Network, and NBA TV; it has local channels and RSNs where available; it offers premium add-ons like Starz and HBO; and maybe most important of all, it's still under a hundred bucks, which is not something you can say about most live TV packages these days. In other words, Stream Choice is for those looking for extra sports coverage while wanting to enjoy the usual benefits of DirecTV, like unlimited screens and DVR, and keeping it all under a reasonable budget.

Go to DirecTV Stream Choice

Price: $83.99/month

Free Trial: 5 days

Channel lineup: A&E, ABC, AMC, Animal Planet, AXS TV, Baby First TV, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CBS local channels, Cheddar News, CMT, C NBC, C NBC World, CNN, CNN en Espanol, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cooking Channel, Cozi TV, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Jr, Disney XD, E! Entertainment, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fanduel TV, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 1, Freeform, Fuse, FX, FXX, Galavision, Game Show Network, Gem Shopping Network, Golf Channel, Great American Family, GRIT, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, HLN, Home Shopping Network, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, MeTV, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV2, NBA TV, NBC, NBC local channels, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, One America News, Ovation, OWN, Paramount Network, PBS local channels, PopTV, Pursuit Channel, QVC, QVC2, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, RSNs, SundanceTV, SYFY, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Telemundo local channels, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, TV Land, Univision East, Up TV, USA Network, VH1, Vice, WE tv

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Roku TV, Samsung TV

TBS on DirecTV Stream Premier

The most cable-like live TV package to date, DirecTV Stream Premier carries every possible channel you can think of. The sports department has ESPN and Fox Sports, to name a few, plus all the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB specialty channels. Meanwhile, the entertainment department has premium networks like HBO, Starz, Cinemax, and Showtime. It even has RSNs and local channels, all of which total more than 150 channels, so if you want your subscription to cover multiple bases, this is as comprehensive as it gets. All this comes to a hefty $160/month, which seems like a lot for a cord-cutting service, but with features like unlimited screens and DVR, it's worth considering if you have the budget to spare.

Go to DirecTV Stream Premier

Price: $169.99/month

Free Trial: 5 days

Channel lineup: A&E, ABC, ACC Network, AMC, American Heroes Channel HD, Animal Planet, Aspire, AXS TV, Baby First TV, BBC America, BBC News, BET, BET Her, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bounce, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar News, Cinemax, CMT, C NBC, C NBC World, CNN, CNN en Espanol, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cooking Channel, Cozi TV, Destination America, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, Disney Channel, Disney Jr, Disney XD, E! Entertainment, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fanduel TV, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports FS2, Freeform, Fuse, Fuse Music, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Galavision, Game Show Network, Gem Shopping Network, GetTV, Golf Channel, Great American Family, GRIT, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery, HBO, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, HLN, Home Shopping Network, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, MeTV, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV2, National Geographic Wild, NBA TV, NBC, NBC local channels, NFL Network, NHL Network, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, One America News, Ovation, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS local channels, Pop TV, Pursuit Channel, QVC, QVC2, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, RSNs, Showtime, Showtime BET, Sportsman Channel, Starz, SundanceTV, SYFY, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Telemundo local channels, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, TV Land, Universal Kids, Univision East, Up TV, USA Network, VH1, Vice, WE tv

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Roku TV, Samsung TV

TBS on Spectrum TV Choice

Spectrum TV Choice allows you to completely curate your live TV package. For around $30 a month, you trim the fat and select your 15 channels of choice — no distractions, no cable box, and no annual contract. The catch: it’s only available to Spectrum internet customers.

Go to Spectrum TV Choice

Price: Varies depending on your location and account history.

TBS on Max + B/R Sports Add-on

The Max + B/R Sports add-on combines Max's arsenal of on-demand titles from Warner Bros., HBO, DC, and Cartoon Network with The Bleacher Report's wide coverage of live sporting events, including March Madness, the NBA Playoffs, The Stanley Cup Playoffs, and various MLB matches. You could say it's an extension of TBS, TNT, and truTV sports as it airs select (not all) games from those channels, but it also covers so much more, including other sports like golf, cycling, and MMA. Since October 2023, B/R Sports has been added to all Max plans completely free of charge, but once the promo ends, you'll have to pay $10/month on top of your Max subscription to enjoy B/R content. And of course, blackout restrictions apply.

Go to Max + B/R Sports Add-on

Price: $19.98/month

Channel lineup: TBS, TNT, Tru TV, truTV

Device availability: Airplay supported, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, LG Smart TV, PlayStation, Roku, Roku TV, Samsung, Samsung Smart TV, Xbox

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Let's recap the streaming services that allow you to watch TBS without cable.

What is the cheapest way to watch TBS?

The most cost-efficient way to watch TBS content is to get a subscription to Max + B/R Sports Add-on for $19.98/month.

How to get a free trial to TBS?

You can get a limited time free trial to TBS by subscribing to DirecTV Stream, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream Premier, or DirecTV Stream Choice.

How to watch TBS for free?

Unfortunately there are no streaming services that offer TBS completely for free. That said, as we mentioned above you can get it for free for a limited time by subscribing to a service with a free trial. Here they are, this time ranked by which one offers the longest free trial:

How to get a TBS live stream?

The platforms that will get you a TBS live stream are:

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How to watch TBS on Roku?

You can watch TBS on your Roku device by subscribing to Sling Orange, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Sling Orange + Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum TV Choice, Max + B/R Sports Add-on, DirecTV Stream Premier, or DirecTV Stream Choice.

How to watch TBS on an Amazon Fire TV?

TBS can be accessed on an Amazon Fire TV device by subscribing to Sling Orange, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Sling Orange + Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Max + B/R Sports Add-on, DirecTV Stream Premier, or DirecTV Stream Choice.

How to watch TBS on an Apple TV device?

The streaming services that include TBS and are available on Apple TV are Sling Orange, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Sling Orange + Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum TV Choice, Max + B/R Sports Add-on, DirecTV Stream Premier, and DirecTV Stream Choice.

How to watch TBS on a computer?

On a web browser head to the websites of Sling Orange, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Sling Orange + Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum TV Choice, Max + B/R Sports Add-on, DirecTV Stream Premier, or DirecTV Stream Choice to start watching TBS.

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How to watch TBS on iOS (iPhone or iPad)?

You can watch TBS on an iPhone or iPad by subscribing to Sling Orange, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Sling Orange + Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum TV Choice, Max + B/R Sports Add-on, DirecTV Stream Premier, or DirecTV Stream Choice.

How to watch TBS on an Android phone?

You can watch TBS on an Android device such as Samsung or Google Pixel by subscribing to Sling Orange, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Sling Orange + Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum TV Choice, Max + B/R Sports Add-on, DirecTV Stream Premier, or DirecTV Stream Choice.

How to watch TBS on an Android TV?

You can watch TBS on a Smart TV that runs on Android by getting a subscription to Sling Orange, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Sling Orange + Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum TV Choice, Max + B/R Sports Add-on, DirecTV Stream Premier, or DirecTV Stream Choice.

How to watch TBS on an Xbox?

You can watch TBS on an Xbox console through Sling Orange, Sling Orange + Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum TV Choice, or Max + B/R Sports Add-on.

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How to pay for a TBS subscription with Paypal?

The services that accept Paypal and carry TBS are: Sling Orange, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Sling Orange + Blue, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum TV Choice, Max + B/R Sports Add-on, DirecTV Stream Premier, and DirecTV Stream Choice.

How to pay for a TBS subscription with Apple Pay?

The services that accept Paypal and carry TBS are: Sling Orange, Sling Blue, and Sling Orange + Blue.

How to pay for a TBS subscription with Google Pay?

The services that accept Paypal and carry TBS are: Sling Orange, Sling Blue, Sling Orange + Blue, and YouTube TV.