If you are a fan of reality shows, A&E is probably essential. But due to the channel’s popularity, it is widely provided by live TV streaming services. Read on to learn how you can get it without a cable provider.
In a hurry? Several of the top streaming services offer A&E. These are the best:
- 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
A&E is the flagship cable TV channel of A+E Networks, which also encompasses History, Lifetime, Crime + Investigation, and Spike Jonze’s Vice.
The channel is still trying to recover from the cancellation in 2020 of its biggest hit Live PD, and it has a couple of brand new series starting in early 2022 to help it do that: the reality drama Adults Adopting Adults and documentary serial Secrets of Playboy.
You can stream pay TV channels like A&E through the internet at a fraction of the price of cable or satellite, with no contracts or inconvenient installation appointments. Read on for more details.
What Is A&E
Once the Arts & Entertainment Network, the A&E channel used to be up there with PBS as a source of cultural, academic, intellectual programming — such as its Emmy- and Peabody-award-winning series, Biography and British co-productions and imports.
Over the years, it has succumbed to the same channel drift that claimed its sister channel History and most of the Discovery channels. Now, its content is largely a mixture of reality shows like Storage Wars and true crime documentaries like Killer Cases.
A&E was riding high as the #8 cable channel in ratings in 2020 when George Floyd was killed, prompting the network to put its top-rated show Live PD on indefinite hiatus.
With the controversy around the Austin, TX police department’s handling of Javier Ambler’s death while in custody while filming the show, A&E decided to make the hiatus permanent. Given it was many viewers’ favorite show, half its audience left overnight and the network dropped to #20.
It didn’t help that the show occupied multiple primetime evenings, giving A&E channel a giant hole in its programming schedule that they had to scramble to fill.
It’s not the first time A&E has canceled a show amid political controversy and experienced a viewer backlash. In 2013, after one year on the air, Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson was first put on hiatus, then reinstated, ticking off viewers on both sides of the controversy.
The network announced last year that it was going to focus on “total-audience metrics” versus the traditionally coveted 18-54-year-old group. According to entertainment analysts, this means they’re going to be focusing on the 55-and-over crowd.
However, a recent documentary on Janet Jackson that aired on both A&E and Lifetime did very well across all age groups, so things could be looking up again.
A&E Shows
The top TV shows on A&E include:
- Biography
- Cold Case Files
- Court Cam
- Hoarders
- Intervention
- Secrets of Playboy
- Storage Wars
- Voices Magnified.
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.
How to Stream A&E
A&E’s sister channels at A+E Networks are FYI, History, Military History, Lifetime, LMN (Lifetime Movie Network), and Crime + Investigation. You can watch similar content — unscripted reality and documentaries — on Discovery’s TLC, NBCUniversal’s Bravo, and AMC Networks‘ WE tv.
Most of the major streaming services offer the A&E channel. The two major exceptions are FuboTV and YouTube TV.
Philo
Philo is a huge bargain, especially if you like the A+E channels. For $25/mo, you get over 60 channels, including all the A+E channels (except Military History) plus TLC and WE tv.
It doesn’t carry WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal (no Bravo), or Disney-owned channels. It’s also missing sports and your local networks. But it does come with a great interface, unlimited DVR, and streaming on up to 3 devices at once. And only Frndly is cheaper (see below).
Get all the details in our Philo review.
Sling TV
Sling TV lets you create your own custom package. It’s as close to a la carte cable as you’ll ever get. But you don’t even need that. A&E, Bravo, History, Lifetime, TLC, and Vice are all right there in the Sling Blue base plan for $40.00/mo. (Alternatively, you can get Sling Orange, which comes with fewer channels but does include ESPN and Disney Channel.)
Grab the Lifestyle Extra add-on for $6/mo to get FYI, LMN, WE tv, and more. 50 hours of cloud DVR are included, and you can watch Sling Blue on up to 3 devices at the same time.
Learn everything in our Sling TV review.
DIRECTV STREAM
If it’s in the top 50 cable channels, it’s likely that DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) carries it. So it’s not surprising at all to find A&E, Lifetime, History, TLC, Vice, WE tv, and Bravo all in the base tier, the Entertainment Package, which runs $79.99/mo.
DIRECTV STREAM also gives you all your local stations, as well as unlimited cloud DVR and unlimited devices streaming in your home at the same time.
For more, see our DIRECTV STREAM review.
Get DIRECTV STREAM Free for 5 Days
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers over 85 live TV channels, and, as the name says, Hulu. That means thousands of on-demand shows and movies. But that’s not all! It also comes with Disney+ and ESPN+.
The base plan is $76.99/mo and includes A&E, Bravo, FYI, History, Lifetime, LMN, TLC, and Vice. If you toss on the Entertainment Add-on, you can get Crime + Investigation and Military History — it’s the only service that carries the latter.
Check out our Hulu + Live TV review for details.
Other Ways to Stream A&E
None of those grab you? Don’t worry, there are more ways to stream The Art of Entertainment:
- Frndly TV: Frndly TV is a skinny bundle of over 30 general information, educational, and family live and on-demand channels starting at $7.99/mo. They recently reached an agreement with A+E to carry all of A&E’s sister networks. Other channels include the Hallmark Channel, Weather Channel, INSP, and BYU TV. (Frndly TV review)
- A&E Crime Central: A&E’s on-demand collection of 900+ true crime and justice system series and specials curated from A&E, History, and Lifetime/LMN. Featured shows include Dog the Bounty Hunter, After the First 48, 60 Days In, and Female Forces.
- Hulu: Hulu’s on-demand library starts at only $6.99/mo and contains over a dozen of A&E’s juiciest true crime and legal documentaries and series, as well as Storage Wars and Duck Dynasty.
- A&E App: Most devices allow you to watch A&E live and on-demand with this app. It requires that you have a TV provider to use it via TV Everywhere. You can similarly watch right on the A&E website.
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. |
Supported Devices to Stream A&E
Most of the streaming services listed above support the devices in use today. We’ll just go over the most popular devices but you can find complete lists in the streaming reviews.
Android TV-based televisions are not supported by DIRECTV STREAM but they are by the other services. In contrast, DIRECTV STREAM allows you to use its own device, which can make the switch to streaming easier.
You can also cast to your TV from a smartphone, tablet, or web browser using Chromecast that is either built-in or added as an external device. This is supported by all services.
Samsung smart TVs are supported by Hulu, Sling, and DIRECTV. Sling and Hulu also support LG and VIZIO smart TVs.
All the services support the popular TV “stick” devices: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku. They also support mobile devices with iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android.
The Xbox One gaming system is supported by Sling and Hulu. PlayStation and Nintendo Switch are supported by Hulu. And finally, Sling TV supports the Oculus VR system.
Today’s A&E Schedule
Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:
| Court Cam The judge must excuse the jury after an accused double-murderer goes on a rant; a DUI defendant won't listen to her lawyer; a laundromat vandal tries to suck up to the judge. |
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| Court Cam A judge shares details about an affair with a defendant; a courthouse security officer pushes things too far and pays the price; a murderous sibling rivalry explodes in court. |
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| Court Cam A violent felon attacks a prosecutor in court; a judge has heard enough from a sovereign citizen; a murdered NBA star's mother blows up in court. |
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| Court Cam A look at some of the wildest courtroom moments; a domestic violence defendant loses his temper during a virtual hearing; grieving parents speak directly to their sons' killer; a judge has strong words for a teen arsonist. |
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| Car accident? Free Legal Consultation Legal professionals standing by to answer your questions. |
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| Overwhelmed with IRS Debt? Keys to Resolving Tax Debt See how one company is changing people's lives by helping them put their tax problems to rest. |
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| 2024 Steel Celebration Our Steel Celebration set has 114 total pieces including one "our choice" katana sword, an oak cheese board set, knife sharpeners, 21 piece kitchen set and multiple tactical folders and fixed blades. |
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| Who Stole My Life? Every 3 seconds an American's identity is stolen. Just how safe is your 401k? Your bank account? Your home? Your credit? Crime Reporter Tom Morris Jr. investigates the identity theft epidemic. Find out how you can help protect yourself with LifeLock. |
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| David Jeremiah Dr. David Jeremiah's goal is to deliver the unchanging Word of God to an ever-changing world. |
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| Joni: Table Talk Joni and guests tackle a wide range of relevant issues, controversial subjects and hard-hitting news topics with candor and wit. |
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| Parking Wars Rodney and Sonjia are challenged by an irate man claiming he's a sovereign; everyone at the lot tries to help an elderly woman retrieve the car that her grandson caused to be towed, only to discover an unpleasant surprise in the front seat. |
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| Parking Wars Jeff squares off with an angry citizen over a broken meter; Steve and Sherry, the booting team, meet with a woman who has an emotional attachment to her car. |
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| Parking Wars Steve and Sherry search for a missing booted vehicle; Rob argues with an owner who says a car was damaged while impounded. |
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| Parking Wars Danielle gets into a shouting match during her rush-hour sting; Rob has a run-in with a woman over the paperwork needed to get her car back from the impound lot. |
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| Parking Wars Brian has a run-in with a double parker; Clarence tests his compassion while towing a car; Steve and Sherry try to help a man get his tickets paid. |
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| Parking Wars Danielle gives drivers tough lessons on the parking rules; an owner loses her cool as John and Rich try to find her missing keys at the impound lot. |
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| The First 48 – Alias; Duel A detective is assigned to the homicide case of a good friend's brother; a popular teenager is gunned down on a residential street. |
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| The First 48 – Caught in the Middle Two men are beaten and shot in Miami and left behind an abandoned house. |
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| The First 48 – Bad Reputation; Deadly Party A young mother of three dies after being shot in front of her Cleveland home; a birthday party celebration in Florida turns deadly. |
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| The First 48 – Calling for a Killer; Boiling Point Detectives in Florida's Broward County investigate a fatal highway shooting; the execution of three friends outside a Dallas nightclub is caught on video. |
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| The First 48 – Killer Contact When a young man from Tulsa., Okla., is found shot dead in his van, homicide detectives retrace his final hours and get caught up in a web of lies. |
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| The First 48 – Last Run; The Showdown A late-night pizza delivery in New Orleans leads to a fatal outcome; a turf war claims a young father's life. |
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| The First 48 – Snapshot A young mother in Tulsa, Okla., is found shot dead on the side of a road; a photograph taken immediately before the murder provides police with their only clue. |
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| The First 48 – Fallen Hero; The Last Deal When a 90-year-old war hero is shot in the back, detectives discover his former neighbor may hold the key to what went down; a young man's future is cut short when a plan to make a quick buck goes horribly wrong. |
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| The First 48 – The Girl Next Door In Atlanta, when a young man is shot from 235 feet away, Detective Darrin Smith discovers an escalating feud that threatens to tear apart a neighborhood. |
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| The First 48 – Sudden Death; Devil at the Door A New Orleans detective battles fear and distrust on the street as he works the case of a man who was executed in broad daylight; a Minneapolis man witnesses the murder of his teenage son. |
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| After the First 48 – Raw Deal A beloved rapper gets gunned down during a drive-by shooting in Gwinnett County; with little hard evidence, detectives and prosecutors turn to a tipster for help despite the risks involved. |
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| Accused: Guilty or Innocent? – Neighbor Killer or Family Defender? A veteran and his young family get confronted by an angry neighbor, resulting in harsh words that escalate to a fatal shooting. |
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| Interrogation Raw – Killer Charm Local police and the FBI join forces to track down a suspected serial killer after the disappearance of an 80-year-old woman. |
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| The First 48 – Flashing Colors In Georgia's Gwinnett County, a teenager is gunned down outside a nightclub when he winds up at the center of a gang feud. |
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| After the First 48 – Raw Deal A beloved rapper gets gunned down during a drive-by shooting in Gwinnett County; with little hard evidence, detectives and prosecutors turn to a tipster for help despite the risks involved. |
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| Accused: Guilty or Innocent? – Neighbor Killer or Family Defender? A veteran and his young family get confronted by an angry neighbor, resulting in harsh words that escalate to a fatal shooting. |
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| Interrogation Raw – Killer Charm Local police and the FBI join forces to track down a suspected serial killer after the disappearance of an 80-year-old woman. |
Wrapping Up
So don’t miss out on any of your favorite A&E programs. Sign up for one of the services above, and you can go ahead and sweep your cable bill right under the rug without missing any episodes of WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures or Extreme Unboxing.
Our top recommendation to watch A&E is Philo. Try Philo free for 7 days.
FAQs
Are A&E shows available on-demand?
A&E shows certainly are available on-demand! All of the services above except Vidgo have at least some on-demand content, which generally contains at least recent episodes of current shows. In addition, Hulu has a number of A&E series available and Amazon Prime Video has some included as well (and some you have to buy).
You could also subscribe to A&E Crime Central, A+E Networks’ on-demand library of true crime-related programming from across its major channels, either by itself directly through A+E or through Amazon Prime Channels, Apple TV Channels, or Roku Channels.
Is A&E available on FuboTV?
Sadly, FuboTV (and YouTube TV) have not reached an agreement with A+E Networks to carry any of its channels, which is why you won’t see FYI, Crime + Investigation, either of the History channels, either of the Lifetime channels, or Vice on those services either.
What is the cheapest way to get A&E?
That would be Frndly TV at $7.99/mo. It’s a mix of on-demand and live channels including Local Now, UPtv, Outdoor Channel, Game Show Network — basically a lineup of cable TV’s Most Inoffensive Channels, ranging from completely neutral (The Weather Channel) to religious-tinged (Dove Channel, BYU TV) to determinedly wholesome (Hallmark, INSP). They just acquired the A+E Networks channels, including A&E.
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