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!

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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.

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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.

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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 for 3 Days Free!

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:

10:00pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Solo Oscillation Sheldon kicks Amy out to work solo; Amy and Leonard bond during a series of science experiments; Bert replaces Wolowitz in the band; Sheldon finds Penny a surprising source of scientific inspiration.
10:30pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Separation Triangulation Koothrappali learns the woman he's dating has a very upset husband; Sheldon rents his old room for a quiet place to work.
11:00pm	Movie – Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins Determined to prove to his family how much he has changed, a talk-show star (Martin Lawrence) returns to his small Southern hometown for his parents' anniversary.
1:00am	Movie – Focus A veteran con man (Will Smith) is thrown off his game when his former lover and protege (Margot Robbie) unexpectedly appears and interferes with his latest -- and very dangerous -- scheme.
3:00am	Modern Family – See You Next Fall As the family prepares for Alex's middle-school graduation, Jay tries to hide a cosmetic-procedure mishap, Cameron is upset about Mitchell laughing at his expense, and Phil antagonizes Claire.
3:30am	Modern Family – The One That Got Away The family scrambles to plan a big celebration for Jay's birthday; Phil runs into his college nemesis; Cameron gets into hot water at a bakery.
4:00am	Family Matters – My Big Brother Steve (Jaleel White) becomes a Big Brother to a street-smart fourth-grader (guest star Orlando Brown) who can't read.
4:30am	Family Matters – Eau de Love Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams) falls under a passionate spell from Steve's (Jaleel White) aphrodisiac.
5:00am	Family Matters – Twinkle Toes Faldo Waldo (Shawn Harrison) takes tap dancing lessons to improve his agility. With Reginald VelJohnson.
5:30am	Family Matters – Scammed Eddie and Waldo are in for a shock when they go to a bar where they think the Chicago Bears hang out.
6:00am	Family Matters – Dream Date Steve (Jaleel White) tries to make the night special when he and Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams) go to the senior prom together.
6:30am	Family Matters – A Ham Is Born Carl (Reginald VelJohnson) lands the lead role in a movie while moonlighting as a security guard. With Jaleel White.
7:00am	Young Sheldon – Potato Salad, a Broomstick, and Dad's Whiskey When Mary takes a job as church secretary, she finds herself becoming Pastor Jeff's marriage counselor; Sheldon and Missy spend their first afternoon home alone.
7:30am	Young Sheldon – Dolomite, Apple Slices, and a Mystery Woman Sheldon makes friends with an upperclassman who introduces him to a new field of science; Mary and George disagree on how to handle Sheldon's blossoming social life.
8:00am	Young Sheldon – Killer Asteroids, Oklahoma, and a Frizzy Hair Machine A disappointing loss at the science fair sends Sheldon's life in a new direction.
8:30am	Young Sheldon – Jiu-Jitsu, Bubble Wrap, and Yoo-Hoo Sheldon is bullied by an unlikely character; Mary and George disagree on how to handle the situation.
9:00am	Young Sheldon – A Mother, a Child, and a Blue Man's Backside Mary bans Sheldon from reading a mature comic book; Sheldon decides it's time to stop living under Mary's thumb.
9:30am	Young Sheldon – Gluons, Guacamole, and the Color Purple When Sheldon is no longer academically challenged at Medford High, he audits a college class taught by Dr. John Sturgis.
10:00am	Friends – The One With All the Kissing Monica and Chandler are caught in a passionate embrace but try to prove it was innocent: Ross' wife won't speak to him; Phoebe feels neglected; Rachel appoints Monica as her advisor in romance.
10:30am	Friends – The One Hundredth Phoebe prepares to give birth, but the doctor makes her nervous, and Joey gets admitted in great pain.
11:00am	Friends – The One Where Phoebe Hates PBS Ross' estranged bride makes him an offer; Phoebe deals with traumatic memories of PBS; Monica gets upset at Chandler when he gloats about sex; Joey challenges Phoebe to perform a completely selfless act.
11:30am	Friends – The One With the Kips An exchange between Ross and Rachel threatens to break up the friends; Chandler and Monica plan a romantic weekend getaway together; Joey finds out about Monica and Chandler.
12:00pm	Friends – The One With the Yeti Joey gets emotional when Ross decides to move out of the old apartment; Bigfoot in the building; Emily tells Ross that she wants a divorce.
12:30pm	Friends – The One Where Ross Moves In Personal habits clash when Ross moves in with Chandler and Joey; Phoebe dates a health inspector (Gregory Sporleder); Rachel schemes to get her new neighbor to ask her our on a date.
1:00pm	Friends – The One With the Thanksgiving Flashbacks As the gang digests Monica's huge Thanksgiving meal, everyone reminisces about their worst Thanksgiving ever.
1:30pm	Friends – The One With Ross' Sandwich Threatening notes on Ross' lunches cause concern among his co-workers; Monica makes a literature class more challenging, to the dismay of the other students; Monica and Chandler try to keep their relationship a secret.
2:00pm	Friends – The One With the Inappropriate Sister Phoebe helps the Salvation Army and learns some truths about New Yorkers; Rachel gets a date with her neighbor who has a close relationship with his sexy sister; Joey tries to write a play in which he can be the star.
2:30pm	Friends – The One With All the Resolutions Ross vows to try something new; Joey resolves to learn guitar from Phoebe; Rachel gives up gossiping.
3:00pm	Friends – The One With Chandler's Work Laugh Monica is put off by the laugh Chandler uses to impress his boss (Sam McMurray); Ross shocks everyone by dating Janice (Maggie Wheeler).
3:30pm	Friends – The One With Joey's Bag Phoebe meets her estranged father (Bob Balaban) at her grandmother's funeral; Joey's fondness for an expensive bag loses him an audition; Chandler tells perfectionist Monica that she is useless at massage.
4:00pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Novelization Correlation Sheldon petitions Wil Wheaton to appear on the new "Professor Proton" show, but Wil offers a role to Amy instead; Penny gets angry when she thinks the female protagonist in Leonard's novel is based on her.
4:30pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Neonatal Nomenclature When Bernadette won't go into labor, her friends try different tactics to get things started; Wolowitz confronts Bernadette after Amy accidentally reveals she's already chosen their son's name.
5:00pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Athenaeum Allocation Leonard jumps through hoops to help secure the perfect wedding venue for Sheldon and Amy; Bernadette and Wolowitz have a hard time deciding who should stay at home with the kids and who should go back to work.
5:30pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Gates Excitation Penny gets the opportunity to host Bill Gates at work when his company wants to partner with hers; Leonard, Koothrappali and Wolowitz do everything in their power to meet him; Sheldon thinks he is the victim of a prank.
6:00pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Tenant Disassociation Leonard decides to run against Sheldon for president of the tenants association; Bernadette encourages Wolowitz and Koothrappali to find the owner of a drone after they find it in the backyard.
6:30pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Reclusive Potential A brilliant but reclusive scientist, Doctor Wolcott, invites Sheldon to his cabin in the middle of nowhere; Penny and Bernadette improvise after Amy doesn't like the tame bachelorette party they planned for her.
7:00pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Comet Polarization Sheldon's comic book store experience changes when writer Neil Gaiman puts Stuart's store on the map; friendships are threatened when Koothrappali takes credit for Penny's astronomical discovery.
7:30pm	The Big Bang Theory – The Monetary Insufficiency Sheldon goes to Las Vegas to win money for science; Penny and Bernadette take Amy wedding dress shopping, but her terrible choice entangles them in a web of lies.
8:00pm	Movie – Training Day A rookie cop (Ethan Hawke) meets a corrupt Los Angeles narcotics officer (Denzel Washington) who wants to include him in his schemes.
10:20pm	Movie – Any Given Sunday A football head coach (Al Pacino) and an aging quarterback (Dennis Quaid) clash with the new, contemporary, money-oriented owner (Cameron Diaz) of their team.

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.