Although it isn’t quite the independent film hub that was in the beginning, IFC is still a great channel for film buffs. And thankfully, it’s pretty easy to get access to without cable. Read on to learn how!
In a hurry? IFC isn’t as broadly available as some channels but there are still a number of top choices. Here are our favorites:
- DIRECTV STREAM: Makes it easy to switch from cable to streaming with their 75+ channel Entertainment plan and options for much more. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
- Sling TV: The top low-cost streaming service provides a great base channel lineup in both its plans. Save 50% your first month with Sling TV.
- Philo: This service gives you 70+ live TV channel for just $25/mo!
If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, try ExpressVPN to get access to the content you deserve.
Table Of Contents
If you like programming that tends to be on the unconventional side, you will enjoy watching IFC. Although this channel still produces and showcases independent films and documentaries, it has largely abandoned its original format in favor of sketch comedy, talk, and similar types of shows.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of this channel, a few of its more popular programs, and how you can watch them without the need for a cable subscription.
What Is IFC?
In 1994, the Independent Film Channel (IFC) was officially spun off from Bravo. It was intended as a hub for independent content creators. By 2001, the channel largely went by IFC in most of its marketing materials.
Over the next decade, the channel started its shift to a format featuring a mixture of off-color comedy and horror content. In 2011, IFC owner Rainbow Media became its own company called AMC Networks. In 2014, AMC Networks announced that the channel would be rebranded as IFC.
IFC Programming
While IFC has a lot of quality programming to offer viewers, many of its shows are no longer in production or were acquired from other networks. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top shows that you are encouraged to check out first if you’re new to IFC.
- Portlandia: This sketch comedy program generally made fun of the idea that everyone in Oregon’s largest city is a hipster or is otherwise part of a counterculture. Veteran comedians Fred Armisten and Carrie Brownstein created the show, and it won a Peabody Award during its eight seasons on IFC.
- Comedy Bang! Bang!: This program presents sketches, spoof interviews, and other content using a faux talk show format. Adapted from a podcast by Scott Aukerman, it continued to make new episodes for IFC until 2016.
- Brockmire: A traditional comedy, it follows the adventures of a former Kansas City Royals play-by-play announcer trying to resurrect his career following a public outburst. Throughout most of the show, the titular character calls games for a minor league team in Pennsylvania before eventually moving to New Orleans. The show came to an end in May 2020.
- Stan Against Evil: A horror-comedy that sees two police officers coming together to battle demons threatening to take over their town. This program ran for three seasons between 2016 and 2018.
- Bunk: Comedians complete a series of challenges such as shaming puppies and coming up with new movie ideas to win prizes awarded by host Kurt Braunohler. There are 10 episodes available for streaming on IFC.com.
If you are interested in shows that are still airing new episodes, you should watch comedies Sherman’s Showcase and Documentary Now. They are currently slated for renewal by the network and are both scheduled to air new episodes at some point in 2022. In addition, Slo Pitch is expected to debut its second season in June 2022.
Unblock Your Favorite Movies and Shows With a VPN
If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, a VPN will allow you to get the access you are entitled to, plus extra security and unequalled privacy. Check out our VPN Guide for everything you need to know, including our top pick ExpressVPN.
Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
Stream IFC
Two of the biggest live TV streaming services, FuboTV and Hulu + Live TV, do not offer IFC. But many others do.
- Philo: This platform is ideal if you just want to watch your favorite channels without spending a lot of money. You get IFC, Comedy Central and more than 65 others for $25/mo. No sports or local channels, but at that price, why not? Comes with unlimited cloud DVR and streaming on 3 devices. (Philo review)
- Sling TV: Known for offering flexibility and affordability. You can get IFC for $40.00/mo through the Sling Blue or Sling Orange base plans. You can get both for $55.00/mo. Comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR. Sling Blue allows you to stream on up to 3 devices at once. (Sling TV review)
- DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV): For $79.99/mo, you can get IFC and roughly 80 other channels. It is the easiest service to migrate to if you are leaving your current cable or satellite provider. Regional sports networks (RSNs) and other premium channels are available with upgrades. All plans come with unlimited cloud DVR storage (online sign-up only) and simultaneous streaming on unlimited devices. (DIRECTV STREAM review)
- YouTube TV: For $72.99/mo, you’ll get 100+ channels such as IFC, ESPN and CNN. It comes with unlimited cloud DVR and streaming on up to 3 devices.
- AMC+: Starting at $6.99/mo, you’ll have a chance to watch most IFC shows on an on-demand basis. It also comes with subscriptions for Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC Films Unlimited (see below). You will also be able to watch content from networks such as BBC America and AMC.
IFC Films Unlimited
IFC Films Unlimited is a subscription on-demand movie platform. There are more than 500 films available on the platform at any time. The selection features most genres and tends toward the more unusual.
You can subscribe to it through Sling TV, YouTube TV, and AMC+.
Superpower Your Live TV Streaming With a VPN
You can’t beat a VPN for privacy, security, and access. We have used them for years as an important part of our streaming toolkit and we recommend ExpressVPN. Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
i | See our VPN Buyer’s Guide for complete information on how to choose the best VPN for your needs. |
TVs and Devices to Live Stream IFC
Most popular devices can be used to stream IFC. All the ones we’ve discussed support these:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Android mobile
- Chromecast
- iOS devices
- Roku
- Web browsers.
Other than Philo, they all support Samsung smart TVs. And other than DIRECTV STREAM, they support TVs built to the Android TV standard. Smart TVs from LG and VIZIO and gaming systems from Xbox are supported by Sling and YouTube.
If you don’t see a device listed here, it may still be supported. Our streaming service reviews for the complete lists.
Today’s IFC Schedule
Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:
Everybody Loves Raymond – Win, Lose or Draw Frank decides to teach his son a lesson by winning all Ray's money at the poker table. | |
Everybody Loves Raymond – Turkey or Fish Thanksgiving traditions are turned upside down when Debra decides to make fish, and the relatives watch something besides football. | |
Everybody Loves Raymond – Captain Nemo Ray spends all his free time coaching his basketball team but then realizes he's missing out on time with his family. | |
Everybody Loves Raymond – The Ball Ray is upset when he discovers that the autographed Mickey Mantle baseball his dad gave him years earlier is a fake, so he decides to tell Ally the truth about Santa. | |
Everybody Loves Raymond – Debra's Sick Ray has to hold an important business meeting at the doctor's office when Debra and the kids get sick. | |
Sanford & Son – The Will Fearful that his days are numbered, Fred prepares a will and summons everyone to an advance reading. | |
Sanford & Son – Fred the Activist Fred organizes a protest against a store that discriminates against older citizens. | |
Sanford & Son – The Lucky Streak Fred hits a lucky gambling streak when he and Lamont need money to buy the Sanford Arms. | |
Sanford & Son – Funny, You Don't Look It Fred traces his background and is told he is Jewish and a descendant of King Solomon. | |
Sanford & Son – Fred Sings the Blues Fred invites B.B. King to dinner and gives him another reason to sing the blues. | |
Sanford & Son – The Surprise Party When Fred returns early from a long trip, he spoils a homecoming party Lamont and Grady had planned. | |
Sanford & Son – Matchmaker, Matchmaker Uncle George dies, and Lamont will inherit $7,000 if he produces a son within the next 12 months and names him George. | |
Sanford & Son – Ol' Brown Eyes Fred is sure that the ring Lamont gave him as a present is the one he has heard was stolen from Frank Sinatra. | |
Sanford & Son – Grady and His Lady Grady's fiancee decrees that after the wedding, he will no longer be spending his evenings with the Sanfords. | |
Sanford & Son – There'll Be Some Changes Made Lamont leaves after Fred refuses to allow a sensitivity group to meet at the Sanford home. | |
Sanford & Son – Going Out of Business Fred sees the beginning of the end of his junk business when Lamont takes a job in a men's clothing store. | |
Sanford & Son – Home Sweet Home Fred holds out for more money when a Japanese land development company offers to buy his house. | |
Sanford & Son – My Kingdom for a Horse Fred buys a racehorse with an impressive history in hopes of breeding him. | |
Sanford & Son – Sanford and Niece Fred's niece, the spitting image of his late wife, visits the Sanford home. | |
Sanford & Son – Julio and Sister and Nephew Julio's sister and nephew stay with the Sanfords temporarily. | |
Sanford & Son – Fred's Treasure Garden A fun time is had by all when Grady serves his friends, including two policemen, a salad made with marijuana. | |
Sanford & Son – Tower Power Fred tries to sculpt a work of art from junk when he discovers the value of sculpture. | |
Sanford & Son – A Little Extra Security Grady must decide whether to lie when he receives too many Social Security checks. | |
Sanford & Son – The Merger Julio and the Sanfords decide to merge their junk businesses into one. | |
Sanford & Son – Once a Thief Grady steps in to protect the Sanford "treasures" when Lamont invites an ex-convict friend home. | |
Who's the Boss? – Angela's New Best Friend The neighborhood siren (Marilu Henner), whose husband left her, moves in with the Bowers. | |
Who's the Boss? – There's No Business Like Shoe Business Angela and Tony (Judith Light, Tony Danza) wind up baby-sitting for a man (Paul Lieber) who has abandoned his child to pursue an acting career. | |
Who's the Boss? – The Unnatural Tony is determined to beat an old baseball rival. | |
Who's the Boss? – The Anniversary Show Angela's cooking puts Tony in the hospital. | |
Who's the Boss? – Charmed Lives An associate upstages Angela in an ad campaign. | |
Who's the Boss? – Angela Gets Fired While vacationing in Mexico, Tony (Tony Danza) intercepts a message that leads to Angela's (Judith Light) dismissal at the advertising agency. | |
Who's the Boss? – Angela Gets Fired Tony urges Angela into a new venture. | |
Who's the Boss? – Daddy's Little Montague Girl Tony (Tony Danza) fears he may lose his little girl when Samantha (Alyssa Milano) decides to apply at a prep school. | |
Who's the Boss? – Mona's Limo Mona (Katherine Helmond) has instant success with the limousine rental service she starts. With Tony Danza. | |
Who's the Boss? – The Hickey Samantha (Alyssa Milano) comes home from a party with a hickey on her neck. With Tony Danza. | |
Who's the Boss? – Wedding Bells? While serving as attendants at the wedding of close friends, Tony and Angela (Tony Danza, Judith Light) find themselves daydreaming about being the bride and groom. | |
Who's the Boss? – Jonathan the Gymnast Fearing that Jonathan (Danny Pintauro) is becoming too intellectual, Tony (Tony Danza) enrolls him in a gymnastics competition. | |
Everybody Loves Raymond – Who's Handsome? Ray feels insecure and jealous when Debra compliments Robert on his physical attractiveness. | |
Everybody Loves Raymond – The Car Debra is upset when Ray buys back his old car, affectionately known as the "make-out mobile.". | |
Everybody Loves Raymond – Diamonds Ray tries to replace the diamond in Debra's wedding ring without her knowing when he discovers it is fake. | |
Everybody Loves Raymond – The Game When the cable goes out, a board game stirs a heated family debate about who is moral and who is not. | |
Two and a Half Men – Untainted by Filth Charlie and Alan wake up together in bed with a strange woman. | |
Two and a Half Men – Gorp. Fnark. Schmegle. Chelsea tries to help her beautiful college roommate get over a bad breakup. | |
Two and a Half Men – Captain Terry's Spray-On Hair Charlie discovers he has not been satisfying Chelsea; Alan attempts to cure his thinning hair without spending much money. |
Wrapping Up
IFC offers a combination of horror and comedy shows with a dash of independent films and documentaries to round the channel’s programming.
It is available through a number streaming services, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find a platform that meets your needs and budget. We recommend Sling TV for IFC but if you don’t need a live stream, AMC+ is a great deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IFC have any new shows?
Aside from Sherman’s Showcase, Documentary Now, and Slo Pitch, IFC does not have much original programming. However, the Baroness Von Sketch Show recently finished up its run in 2021 if you are looking for shows that are still relatively new despite being out of production. And it is likely IFC will produce more original content in the future.
Is there a Canadian version of IFC?
Until 2019, there was a Canadian version of IFC that was owned by Corus Entertainment. This entity licensed the IFC name from AMC during the majority of its 18 years on the air. A number of mainstream shows such as Game of Thrones and Californication were also broadcast on this channel.
Ditch “Big Cable” Now – 3 Simple Steps to Cut the Cord
- Pick the right streaming service
- Get the content you deserve with the best VPN.
- Supercharge your internet provider
That’s it — you’ll save money, take back control, and enjoy TV more!
Page Updates ▼▲
-
Updated some section headings. Updated some sub-sections. Added some links.
-
Added buttons for streaming services. Image changes. Added some links. Reworded some things.
-
Image changes. Linking.
-
Added VPN info. Added buttons for streaming services. Pricing updates. Image changes. Various changes.
-
Pricing updates.
-
Pricing updates. Changed a few bits of content.
-
Added sub-section. Cross linking. Various changes to content.
-
Mentioned offers. Added some more links. Reworded some things.
-
Added links to streaming services. Added streaming info. Changes to some sections. Added a few links. Pricing updates.
-
States That Have Produced the Best Actors and Actresses - 09/06/2022 -
Exclusive Sports on Hulu + Live TV - 07/24/2022 -
Just How Good Is Hulu + Live TV’s Local TV Coverage? - 07/03/2022