TBS: Get the Iconic, All-Around TV Channel Online Cheaper Without Cable

TBS is an iconic all-around TV channel. With a diverse range of programming from comedy shows to live sporting events, TBS is a channel that appeals to everyone. Even more appealing?

You don’t need an expensive long-term contract with a cable or satellite provider to enjoy TBS. You have lots of other options!

In a hurry? There are lots of things to consider when choosing a streaming service. But these three are our favorites. They give you TBS and lots more:

TBS earned its popularity through a combination of movies and syndicated network shows, and also with some notable live sports like the NCAA basketball tournament, March Madness.

Today, it remains a place where you can reliably catch reruns of popular series from the eighties and nineties such as Seinfeld, Friends, Family Guy, and The Big Bang Theory, in addition to movies, sports, and original comedy series.

So if you want to cut the cord, but don’t think your Wednesdays would be the same without Samantha Bee at the end of the day, you can still enjoy all her sarcastic charm without cable on TBS. Read on to learn how!

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

How to Watch TBS Live Without Cable

TBS began as an independent Atlanta broadcast station before becoming the nation’s first “superstation” via satellite distribution, pioneering the use of satellite to transmit cable channels.

Through the magic of corporate mergers and acquisitions, Turner Broadcasting (TBS, TNT, truTV, Turner Classic Movies, CNN/HLN, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, and Boomerang) is now a division of WarnerMedia (HBO, Cinemax, and The CW). Warner recently merged with Discovery to form Warner Bros.-Discovery.

TBS, TNT, and truTV are still marketed together, with TBS branded as the home of comedy, TNT specializing in drama, and truTV featuring reality and lifestyle shows with a comedic bent.

TBS may have started out as a broadcast station, but it was officially converted into a conventional basic cable network back in 2007, so even if you do happen to live in the Atlanta area, you still couldn’t pick it up on an antenna. You would need a paid subscription service, which used to come in the form of cable or a home satellite dish.

But now there are several services that stream the same channels live over the internet at a fraction of the price. These over-the-top services are cheaper, more flexible alternatives to traditional cable, with no contracts, commitments, or extra mystery fees.

Below you’ll find more detail on each of these services that carry TBS.

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.

Get ExpressVPN Today

Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.

Streaming Services with TBS

Channels tend to be licensed in bundles, so if one is missing, chances are you aren’t going to find its sister channels, either. For example, FuboTV and Vidgo don’t carry any of the Turner-WarnerMedia channels like TBS. The same goes for bargain provider Philo.

Don’t worry though. You still have lots of options for TBS, TNT, truTV, and all their other sister channels.

Sling TV

Relevant Channels	Cartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TCM*, TNT, truTV
Total Channels	40+
Cloud DVR	50 hours
Simultaneous Screens	3
Free Trial	❌
Sling TV Price**	$40.00/mo

Sling TV is the oldest OTT service and remains one of the best values. The Sling Blue plan has got a little bit of everything, from shows to movies to sports to family, plus NBC and Fox (depending on your market). All for $40.00/mo.

The plan includes CNN, TBS, TNT, truTV, and Cartoon Network/Adult Swim. If you want Turner Classic Movies (TCM), you will need to get the Hollywood Extra add-on for $6/mo. The CW is not available from Sling TV.

Sling Blue comes with a total of over 40 channels, 50 hours of cloud DVR storage, and 3 simultaneous streams.

Find out more about Sling TV here:

• Sling TV Review
• Sling TV Packages
• Sling TV Local Channels
• Sling TV Devices.

You can also check out our guide to March Madness coverage and schedule, or how to watch AEW every week.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

DIRECTV STREAM

Relevant Channels	Cartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TCM, TNT, truTV
Total Channels	75+
Cloud DVR	Unlimited*
Simultaneous Screens	unlimited
Free Trial*	5 days
DIRECTV STREAM Price	$79.99/mo

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has all the Turner/WarnerMedia channels in its 75+ channel Entertainment package. It also includes The CW and other local channels. HBO and Cinemax come optionally as premium channels for extra.

The base package is $79.99/mo with a 5-day free trial.

If you subscribe to the Choice ($108.99/mo) or higher package, regional sports channels based on your area are included, and you get 3 months of HBO Max for free.

See our DIRECTV STREAM review for all the details.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free for 5 Days

Hulu + Live TV

Relevant Channels	Cartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TCM, TNT, truTV
Total Channels	85+
Cloud DVR	Unlimited*
Simultaneous Screens	2
Free Trial	❌
Hulu Price	$76.99/mo

Hulu is known for its hyper-current library of on-demand TV series (typically offering episodes the day after they air, rather than having to wait a year for the most recent season to get to Netflix).

This library includes a few TBS original programs, plus a lot of the shows TBS syndicates. But the important part is that TBS is included in Hulu’s Live TV service.

For $76.99/mo, you get 85+ channels to stream on up to two devices at a time and unlimited cloud DVR (9 month storage). All the Turner and WarnerMedia channels are present and accounted for, except for HBO and Cinemax, which are available as premium channels for an additional fee.

Local stations, including The CW, are available based on location. Learn more:

• Hulu + Live TV Review
• Hulu On-Demand Review
• Hulu + Live TV Packages
• Hulu + Live TV Local Channels.

Try Hulu + Live TV Today!

Other Ways to Stream TBS

Those aren’t the only ways to watch Miracle Workers and other TBS shows. Check out these other ways to stream TBS:

• TBS, TNT, and truTV are all included on YouTube TV, which is currently $72.99/mo.
• Much of TBS’s original programming is available on various services, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, iTunes, and Vudu. These vary; you can watch by either buying the show by episode or season, and/or subscribing to the service.
• The TBS live stream is available on most devices with the TBS app. You still need a subscription via a cable, satellite, or streaming service.

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.

Watch TBS on Your TVs and Streaming Devices

All the streaming services we’ve discussed support the major devices in use today:

• Samsung Smart TVs: select models from 2017 through 2020
• TV Devices: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku
• Android: smartphones and tablets
• iOS: iPhones, iPads, iPod Touch units
• Chromecast: units and built-in systems
• Web browsers: Chrome, Edge, Safari.

Sling TV and Hulu support TVs with the Android TV operating system. They also support LG smart TVs, Amazon Fire tablets, and gaming consoles like Xbox.

Sling TV supports the Oculus VR device. And Hulu supports the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

Today’s TBS Schedule

Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:

11:00pm	American Dad! – American Stepdad When Stan invites his recently widowed mother to move in, she and Roger fall in love and wed; Steve and his friends find a lost movie script.
11:30pm	American Dad! – Why Can't We Be Friends? When Stan decides that Snot isn't cool enough to be Steve's best friend, he tries to separate them by staging a shooting at an ice cream parlor.
12:00am	American Dad! – Adventures in Hayleysitting When Steve's baby sitter is unavailable, Stan and Francine decide to leave him with Hayley; Steve sneaks out to a party to prove he's not a goody-goody.
12:30am	American Dad! – National Treasure 4: Baby Franny: She's Doing Well: The Hole Story A talk show reveals that Francine was the toddler who, famously, was rescued from a well by a firefighter; Francine makes a discovery when she falls down the well on the anniversary of her rescue; Stan and Roger come up with a business idea.
1:00am	American Dad! – Finger Lenting Good The Smiths get drunk at Roger's Mardi Gras party and make a pact with Bullock; Roger tries to find the person who left a pastie in the attic.
1:30am	American Dad! – The Adventures of Twill Ongenbone and His Boy Jabari Francine regrets deciding to teach Roger the value of hard work; Steve interviews Stan for a school project.
2:00am	American Dad! – Blood Crieth Unto Heaven When Francine invites Stan's father to a party, a dark secret about the Smith family's past is revealed.
2:30am	American Dad! – Max Jets Roger announces that Max Jets, a character who showers the Smith family with money, is making a return; a gold-digging waitress romances Max and threatens the family's inheritance.
3:00am	American Dad! – Naked to the Limit, One More Time Roger pretends to be Jeff's imaginary friend so he can roam around the house without a disguise; when Jeff realizes Roger is an alien, Stan issues an ultimatum -- either Roger or Jeff must be killed; Steve becomes insecure about his body.
3:30am	American Dad! – For Black Eyes Only When Black Villain shoots Stan's new wife, Sexpun Tocome, on their honeymoon, Stan teams up with his nemesis to take him down.
4:00am	Family Matters – Muskrat Love Eddie (Darius McCrary) learns a lesson about caring for other people's feelings after he breaks a date with a girl (Michole Briana White). With Reginald VelJohnson.
4:30am	Family Matters – The Way the Ball Bounces Eddie is pursued by a college more interested in his ability to play basketball than his grades; Laura sets her sights on Harvard.
5:00am	Family Matters – A Thought in the Dark Laura and Ted (Kellie Shanygne Williams, Patrick Dancy) arrange a blind date for Steve (Jaleel White) with Ted's cousin Myra (Michelle Thomas). Stars Dave Koz.
5:30am	Family Matters – Tender Kisses Eddie meets singer Tracie Spencer and she falls for him; Steve helps Carl get a look at Harriette's diary.
6:00am	Family Matters – Heart Strings Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams) becomes Steve's (Jaleel White) valentine; Steve arranges a date for Richie (Bryton McClure) with Gwendolyn (Naya Rivera).
6:30am	Family Matters – Higher Anxiety Steve, Eddie and Waldo become trapped on a fire escape while at a party; Carl's widowed mother finds a new man.
7:00am	Young Sheldon – An Academic Crime and a More Romantic Taco Bell Dr. Sturgis is furious when Sheldon accuses him of plagiarism; Mary sets out to find a "girl trophy" for Missy's end-of-season baseball ceremony; Georgie has an awkward run-in with Veronica while on a date with his new girlfriend, Jana.
7:30am	Young Sheldon – A Couple Bruised Ribs and a Cereal Box Ghost Detector When George Sr. accidentally lands the school librarian in the hospital, the Cooper family must nurse her back to health; Meemaw gives Georgie relationship advice.
8:00am	Young Sheldon – A House for Sale and Serious Woman Stuff When Sheldon learns the house next door is for sale, he takes it upon himself to find the perfect neighbors; Missy is torn when she's forced to pitch against her boyfriend at the baseball game.
8:30am	Young Sheldon – A Baby Tooth and the Egyptian God of Knowledge Sheldon has a scientific breakthrough at the dentist's office; Dale and Meemaw go to the casino; Georgie makes a big mistake when Dale leaves him in charge of the store.
9:00am	Young Sheldon – A Secret Letter and a Lowly Disc of Processed Meat Sheldon discovers that Mary's been keeping a secret about his future; Meemaw is furious when she learns Dale fired Georgie.
9:30am	Young Sheldon – Graduation After graduating high school, Sheldon has a breakdown when he realizes he may not be ready for college; Dale tries to make amends with Meemaw.
10:00am	Friends – The One With Ross' Step Forward Ross' new girlfriend wants to put their photograph on Christmas cards; Rachel eyes Joey as a possible partner.
10:30am	Friends – The One Where Joey Dates Rachel Rachel and Joey might become more than friends; Chandler sets a Ms. Pac-Man record; Ross breaks land-speed records.
11:00am	Friends – The One Where Chandler Takes a Bath Joey might declare his love for Rachel, or Phoebe; Rachel breaks a pact with Ross; Chandler becomes mister bubble bath.
11:30am	Friends – The One With the Secret Closet Joey realizes his intense feelings for Rachel are excluding Ross from the joys of impending fatherhood.
12:00pm	Friends – The One With the Birthing Video Monica prepares a memorable St. Valentine's Day for Chandler with sexy lingerie and X-rated entertainment.
12:30pm	Friends – The One Where Joey Tells Rachel Joey confesses his true feelings for Rachel; Phoebe introduces Monica to her new boyfriend (Harry Van Gorkum).
1:00pm	Friends – The One With the Tea Leaves Rachel devises a lie about her unborn child that she hopes will break the silence between her and Joey; Phoebe reads tea leaves and predicts she will soon encounter the man of her dreams.
1:30pm	Friends – The One in Massapequa Phoebe brings her annoyingly upbeat boyfriend to the 35th anniversary of Monica and Ross' parents, who urge Ross and pregnant Rachel to pretend to be married.
2:00pm	Friends – The One With Joey's Interview When Soap Opera Digest requests an interview, Joey enlists his friends to make sure he does not say anything that could cost him his role.
2:30pm	Friends – The One With the Baby Shower During her baby shower, Rachel realizes she is unprepared to be a mother and accepts her mother's (Marlo Thomas) offer to move in to help with the child.
3:00pm	Friends – The One With the Cooking Class A food critic blasts Monica's cooking in a newspaper review; a cute saleswoman (Rena Sofer) riles Rachel when she flirts with Ross; Phoebe coaches Chandler for a job interview.
3:30pm	Friends – The One Where Rachel Is Late Monica and Phoebe make a bet after Rachel passes her delivery date; Chandler falls asleep at the premiere screening of Joey's new film.
4:00pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Santa Simulation During a game, Sheldon revisits Christmas memories; Amy, Penny and Bernadette look for a date for Koothrappali.
4:30pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Egg Salad Equivalency When Sheldon is accused of sexual harassment, he ends up getting Raj, Leonard and Wolowitz in trouble.
5:00pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Bakersfield Expedition As the guys don costumes and go on a road trip to a comic book convention, the ladies decide to stay home and try to interpret a comic book.
5:30pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Cooper/Kripke Inversion Sheldon faces a crisis of confidence when he is forced to work with his nemesis, Barry Kripke; Raj and Howard buy expensive action figures of themselves.
6:00pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Spoiler Alert Segmentation A fight between Sheldon and Leonard impacts Amy and Penny's living arrangements; while Howard is away, Raj helps Mrs. Wolowitz out.
6:30pm	NHL Pregame On TBS Hockey experts analyze the pregame.
7:30pm	NHL Hockey – New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes The Hurricanes make a second attempt to knock out the Islanders in Game 5 in their first-round series. New York staved off elimination with a 3-2 double-overtime victory in Game 4. Mathew Barzal kept the Isles' season alive with the game-winner.
10:00pm	NHL Hockey – Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks The Canucks try to close out the Predators in Game 5 of their first-round set. Brock Boeser finished a hat trick with eight seconds remaining in regulation of Game 4, and Elias Lindholm's overtime tally gave Vancouver a 4-3 win and 3-1 series lead.

Wrapping Up

So if you love tuning in equally to a random 90s sitcom like Seinfeld and an offbeat game show like The Misery Index, don’t give up on TBS just because you’re ready to throw in the towel with your cable company.

Sign up for one of the streaming services listed here, and never miss new episodes of American Dad! again!

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to get TBS?

Sling TV is your cheapest option to get TBS for $40.00/mo. You can also get extras like Kids, News, Lifestyle, and Comedy add-ons, all for just an extra $13/mo. If you absolutely cannot live without TCM, you can add the Hollywood Extra for $6/mo. That’s still only $54/mo for 90+ channels!

The drawback with Sling is its lack of local channels like The CW. However, Hulu + Live TV helps for $76.99/mo, offering The CW in most areas.

Can I get TBS by itself?

You cannot get TBS by itself. If you are an existing customer with a service that supports TV Everywhere, you can sign into TBS’s website or app to watch live or on-demand content. But there’s no service that offers TBS alone, or even just a package of the three Turner-branded channels TBS, TNT, and truTV. At least not yet!

Is TBS on any streaming service?

Yes! It’s actually on several. Your cheapest option is Sling TV at $40.00/mo. You’re most cable-like option is DIRECTV STREAM starting at $79.99/mo. Be careful, though, since several streaming services do not carry any of the Turner channels (such as fuboTV). You can check out our section “Streaming Services with TBS” for more information.

How can I stream TBS for free?

You can’t, not really. DIRECTV STREAM offers a 5-day free trial to new subscribers, which you could take advantage of, and YouTube TV gives you a free week. Some content (very little) is available on the TBS website or app for free (most of it requires a TV provider login).

Sling TV is the cheapest streaming option at $40.00/mo.

Note that TBS may have originated as a over-the-air (OTA) channel in Atlanta, but its current form is a regular cable channel, no longer connected at all with the original Atlanta-based station.

How much does TBS streaming cost?

Since you can’t get TBS just by itself (see above), it costs as much as the service that carries it. The cheapest service that carries TBS is Sling TV, which starts at $40.00/mo. The other services that carry it are all in the $64.99-$69.99 range.

Is TBS free on Roku?

TBS costs the same on Roku as it does on any other device. YouTube TV and DIRECTV STREAM have free trials for their streaming services (seven and five days, respectively), but there is no truly free option for TBS. The cheapest streaming platform that carries TBS is Sling TV, which starts at $40.00/mo

Is TBS on Amazon Prime?

No, but it’s easy to get confused. The TBS app is available in the Amazon App Store (similar to the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store), and this is basically the same app you’d get for Android or iOS, but for Amazon Fire tablets (or phones). It requires a TV provider login.

If TBS were available to watch through Amazon Prime Video, it would be on Amazon Prime Video Channels, which it is not.

To sum up: you cannot get the live TBS channel through Amazon Prime Video.

What are the TBS streaming options?

Streaming services that carry TBS: Sling TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. Sling TV is best for people who want to be able to fine-tune a small number of channels. DIRECTV STREAM has a cable-esque large package of channels, and has the biggest selection of regional sports networks.

Hulu + Live TV comes with Hulu (on-demand), Disney+, and ESPN+ included. And YouTube TV is similar to Hulu Live, but with slightly more channels and no Disney+/ESPN+ love.

What are the best TV shows on TBS?

TBS has a wide variety of TV shows, though it specializes in comedy. It has some popular original comedies (Chad) and a satisfying selection of oddball unscripted programs, like AEW Dynamite and Celebrity Show-Off, but some of its most popular shows are its syndicated favorites, like The Big Bang Theory. Here’s a rundown of some of their biggest draws:

• Chad
• Miracle Workers
• The Big Bang Theory
• Celebrity Show-Off
• AEW Dynamite
• American Dad!
• 2 Broke Girls
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses
• Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
• The Cube
• Friday Night Vibes
• Conan

What sports are on TBS?

TBS, through its history as a Turner network, has the rights to several important sporting events. As mentioned, it airs a lot of March Madness games. It’s also joint-home to the Stanley Cup playoffs and Final and the NBA playoffs and Finals. Check out our Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule guide for more info on NHL championship channels.