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:
| Sanford & Son – California Crude When Fred learns of the possibility of oil on his property, he starts spending his "millions.". | |
| Sanford & Son – The Stakeout Fred discovers that the tenant he has a crush on is a man and a criminal. | |
| Sanford & Son – I Dream of Choo Choo Rabinowitz To impress Lamont's future mother-in-law, Fred decides to get into the book of world records. | |
| Sanford & Son – The Winning Ticket Two con artists talk Fred into a promotion gimmick designed to increase sales in the junkyard. | |
| Sanford & Son – Committee Man Fred is chosen for a community-relations committee, and is offered a bribe. | |
| Sanford & Son – Fred's Extra Job Fred gets a job as a busboy in a restaurant to pay back a loan. | |
| Sanford & Son – Carol A person comes to visit, claiming that he and Fred were friends 40 years ago. | |
| Sanford & Son – Aunt Esther Has a Baby Fred plays an important role when Esther tries to adopt a child. | |
| Sanford & Son – Here Today, Gone Today Fred thinks that all his furniture has been stolen when Lamont and Esther send it out to be upholstered. | |
| Sanford & Son – Aunt Esther Meets Her Son Esther and Woodrow are not pleased with their newly adopted son. | |
| Sanford & Son – Sanford and Gong Fred gets an act together for a TV amateur show with Lamont and Bubba. | |
| Sanford & Son – Fred Meets Redd Fred debates competing in a Redd Foxx look-alike contest in town. | |
| Sanford & Son – The Defiant One Grady tries an ancient magic trick and shackles Fred to Esther. | |
| Sanford & Son – A Matter of Silence Seeking Donna's sympathy, Fred decides to prolong his temporary deafness. | |
| Sanford & Son – When John Comes Marching Home Janet's former husband shows up as she and Lamont prepare for their wedding day. | |
| Sanford & Son – The Reverend Sanford Fred becomes a clergyman of the Divine Profit Church to avoid paying taxes. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Mr. Micelli Builds His Dream House Tony's demands for perfection drive everyone crazy when he hires his new in-law, Joe, to remodel the master bedroom. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Savor the Veal Tony and Angela must make a decision about their future together when he receives a job offer from a college in Iowa. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Savor the Veal Tony (Tony Danza) takes the teaching job in Iowa, while Angela (Judith Light) remains in Connecticut. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Savor the Veal Tony and Angela (Tony Danza, Judith Light) realize that a long-distance romance is not going to work. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Pilot An ex-jock takes a job as housekeeper for a female executive and her family. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Briefless Encounter Tony (Tony Danza) embarrasses Angela (Judith Light) when he barges into the bathroom. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Angela's First Fight Angela gets into a fight in Tony's neighborhood. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Mona Gets Pinned Angela objects when Mona begins a romance with a younger man. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Rash Decision Tony regrets doing a soap commercial. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Dinner for Two Tony and Angela are trapped into dinner for two. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Sorority Sister Angela's rival sorority sister pays a surprise visit and makes a play for Tony. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Truth in Dating Tony and Angela lie about their respective jobs in order to land dates. | |
| Everybody Loves Raymond – Whose Side Are You On? Ray catches Debra poking fun at him in front of the children, then realizes his mother did the same thing when he was a youngster. | |
| Everybody Loves Raymond – Lateness Debra assures her husband she will be on time for an awards dinner, then her hair gets caught in a curling iron. | |
| Everybody Loves Raymond – Party Dress Ray refuses to buy a $250 dress for Ally to wear to her friend's birthday party. | |
| Everybody Loves Raymond – Security Amy and Marie debate whether Robert should retire from the police force early. Guest stars Fred Willard and Georgia Engel. | |
| Two and a Half Men – Waiting for the Right Snapper Charlie tries to resist temptation when he meets the daughter of the woman he's dating and realizes they've met before. | |
| Two and a Half Men – Taterhead Is Our Love Child Charlie finds that one of his former girlfriends has a son who looks a lot like him. | |
| Two and a Half Men – Pie Hole, Herb Alan crosses a line when he tries to get back money that he lent Charlie. | |
| Two and a Half Men – Damn You, Eggs Benedict Charlie attempts to cook, Alan tries to date two women at the same time, and Jake samples beer. | |
| Two and a Half Men – The Flavin' and the Mavin Alan awaits disaster as Charlie romances Alan's sweet receptionist. | |
| Two and a Half Men – A Jock Strap in Hell The guys run into Jake's former teacher (Alicia Witt) who became a stripper after a fling with Charlie; Charlie gives her a room and a job to try and help her out, but things get out of control. | |
| Two and a Half Men – It's Always Nazi Week When Judith kicks Herb to the curb, Alan comes knocking. | |
| Two and a Half Men – Best H.O. Money Can Buy Alan tries to escape Judith's clutches as Charlie and Herb go on the prowl. | |
| Two and a Half Men – Pinocchio's Mouth Charlie has trouble adjusting when his new girlfriend asks him to spend the night at her place. | |
| Two and a Half Men – The Mooch at the Boo Charlie is left to cover when Jake disappears with the neighbor's daughter; Alan scores a hot date, thanks in part to Charlie's car. | |
| Two and a Half Men – Lotta Delis in Little Armenia Alan finds an opportunity to make money; Walden addresses his co-dependency issues. | |
| Two and a Half Men – Dial 1-900-Mix-A-Lot Gretchen insists that Alan reveal his true identity to Larry; Walden, Barry and Jenny go on a road trip. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Sports Buddies Angela's new boyfriend spends more time watching sports than romancing her. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Requiem Tony remembers his father as he sorts through family memorabilia. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Samantha's Growing Up Tony asks Angela and Mona to help maturing Sam. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Paint Your Wagon A gorgeous neighbor offers disgruntled Tony a job. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Protecting the President A scheming co-worker jeopardizes Angela's job. |
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.
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