How to Watch FYI Network Online Without Cable

As someone who enjoys FYI Network’s unique blend of survivalist home improvement content, I’m happy to share that watching these shows doesn’t require a cable subscription.

In a hurry? FYI isn’t as widely available as some channels but there are a number of choices. These are the best:

Why You Need a VPN Today

However, first you need a VPN to unblock US streaming services from . Our favourite is ExpressVPN. It’s definitely not the cheapest option at $4.99/month, but it just works – and across all your devices.

They have servers in 25+ US cities/states and 105 countries, which unblock access to premium streaming platforms available only in the US, as well as free “on demand” TV services worldwide.

You’ll have access to local platforms as if you were in the country, meaning you can watch BBC iPlayer as if you were in the UK, CBC Gem as if you were in Canada, plus hundreds more worldwide.

Sign Up for ExpressVPN

Hotdog users get three months free at ExpressVPN, so it’s a “no-brainer” for us. Decide for yourself with their 30 day money-back guarantee.

IMPORTANT: Once you’ve installed your VPN and connected to a US server, you’ll still need to subscribe separately to access premium streaming services.

Ostensibly offering “enthusiast lifestyle genres,” FYI is a hodge-podge of home improvement and design, cars, outdoor recreation, and survival content.

If you want to cut the cord on your cable company but still stay on top of what’s happening in HOME.MADE.NATION, read on.

Try Philo for Free

What Is FYI

FYI started life in 1998 as The Biography Channel, a spin-off of A&E. It was a place to reliably catch documentaries, including old episodes of A&E’s award-winning, then-flagship series Biography. When A&E started shifting toward more reality programming, The Biography Channel took over Biography and other edutainment shows from its parent.

In 2007, the network was rebranded as simply “Bio,” and programming correspondingly shifted to “true stories about fascinating people” and away from traditional biographies. In 2014, under the leadership of Jana Bennett (the person behind TLC’s successful metamorphosis into a reality channel), the network was rebranded again as “FYI,” a lifestyle channel.

FYI currently features content for home fixer-upper fans, automotive enthusiasts, and reality junkies. The network is owned by A+E Networks, which is also the parent company of A&E, Lifetime, History, Crime + Investigation, and Vice, and is in turn owned by Hearst Communications and Disney.

Other channels with a home improvement focus are HGTV and Magnolia Network (formerly DIY). Channels that feature relationship-themed reality TV shows are TLC and WE tv, and other car-enthusiast channels are MotorTrend and Choppertown. 

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FYI Programming

Today, the FYI channel is a series of marathons of some of A&E’s top shows of the past. These include Duck Dynasty, Wife Swap, Storage Wars, and Ice Road Truckers. It does have at least a few original shows currently airing: 

• Barrett-Jackson Revved Up: The auction company behind the #1 event for car lovers shares highlights from its annual auctions.
• Sell This House!: Tanya Memme helps problem homes get sold.
• Tiny House World: This continuation of Tiny House Hunting and Tiny House Nation follows would-be tiny house-owners from around the globe.
• Man vs Child: Chef Showdown: Professional adult master chefs compete against culinary prodigies.

Stream FYI

FYI is available on most live TV streaming services, though notably not on FuboTV or YouTube TV. From the cheapest (Philo) to the most expensive (DIRECTV STREAM), let’s look at the details.

Philo

Smart TV shoppers will love Philo, which provides over 65 channels for $28.00/month, plus streaming on up to 3 devices and unlimited DVR storage. What you might not love is that it’s missing a lot of major, popular channels, like Bravo, USA, Disney, local network stations, and pretty much any sports or news channels.

Try Philo for Free

If that didn’t make you blink, then you should know you do get FYI, A&E, Crime + Investigation, HGTV, History, Lifetime, Magnolia Network, MotorTrend, TLC, and WE tv. (Philo review)

Sling TV

Sling TV makes you work a little harder at set-up, but it pays off in providing choice. Choose either the Orange or Blue package for $40.00/month (or $55.00/month for both). FYI Network comes with the Lifestyle Extra, a $6/mo add-on that includes FYI plus LMN, Magnolia Network, WE tv, all the Hallmark channels, and more.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

Both base packages contain A&E, HGTV, History, Lifetime, and Vice, but you’ll have to choose between Sling Blue with TLC or Sling Orange with MotorTrend. Both plans come with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage. (Sling TV review)

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) is everything you have come to expect from a telecom mega-company — except the long-term commitment. Get 75 to 140+ channels, depending on how much you want to pay. And you can switch plans (or cancel altogether) anytime you want.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free Trial

Unlimited cloud DVR and devices on your home network plus all your local TV channels are included. To get FYI, you’ll have to get the Ultimate Package, which is $129.99/month. It also has Magnolia Network, A&E, HGTV, MotorTrend, TLC, and WE tv. (DIRECTV STREAM review)

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV builds on the long-time success of Hulu’s on-demand library by adding over 85 live channels of basic cable goodness. It starts on the pricey side — $82.99/month — but Disney+ and ESPN+ are included in that subscription price.

Get Hulu + Live TV Free

It comes with unlimited cloud DVR with 9 months of storage, which can be upgraded. The good news — great news — is that FYI is also included in the base package, along with A&E, HGTV, History, Lifetime, MotorTrend, and TLC. You should be aware that AMC Networks channels and services (AMC, Sundance TV, IFC, WEtv, Shudder) are not included. (Hulu + Live TV review)

Other Ways to Stream FYI

• FrndlyTV: A true skinny bundle, 30+ channels for $6.99/month, and that includes all the A+E channels, including FYI. Other networks run to documentaries and information (like The Weather Channel), family programming, and outdoor recreation.
• PlutoTV: A free streaming service provided by Paramount Global through a website and app, Pluto has a lot of episodes of a lot of FYI shows, totally free.

FYI Alternatives

Other viewing options depend on your favorite parts of FYI.

• HGTV: More home renovation, design, and selling. Popular shows include Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Home Town, Celebrity IOU, and My Lottery Dream Home.
• Magnolia Network: Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Upper explore more home improvement, restoration, and food.
• TLC: If you like Married at First Sight, you’ll love 90 Day Fiance and its many spin-offs, Love After Lockup, and Unexpected.
• WE tv: Looking for relationship reality on the next level? Check out Marriage Boot Camp, Braxton Family Values, and the hot mess that is Mama June.
• Bravo: Home of Real Housewives, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and Below Deck, this is the destination for the ultimate in trash-TV guilty pleasures.

TVs and Mobile Devices to Live Stream FYI

All the most popular devices in use today are supported by the live TV streaming services we’ve highlighted:

There are some exceptions. DIRECTV STREAM does not support Apple TV and Xbox. It does, however, offer its own device that you can purchase directly. Philo does not support Samsung smart TVs and Xbox gaming systems.

See the streaming reviews we linked to above for complete lists. Some services support other devices. For example, Hulu supports the PlayStation.

Wrapping Up

So whether you came for the matchmaker drama and stayed for the house flipping or vice versa, you don’t need your cable company to keep up with what’s going on with Rachel Ray’s Italian Dream Home.

Sign up for one of the streaming services listed above, and prepare to demolish that cable bill. A good choice is Philo for just $28.00/month (Try Philo free for 7 days.).

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FAQs

What happened to the Canadian FYI?

FYI in Canada was distributed by Corus Entertainment. In 2019, Canadian service providers started notifying customers that three specialty TV channels would be removed from service: IFC Canada, CosmoTV, and FYI. It is widely speculated that Corus was simply weeding out niche channels with lower viewership.

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Alanna Baker

Alanna Baker was the Streaming Content Editor at Hotdog.com, specializing in comprehensive streaming coverage across various genres, with a particular focus on sports and Sling TV offerings. With a background in literature and education, coupled with extensive experience in media and law, Alanna brings a unique perspective to the streaming industry.

Her expertise stems from being an early adopter of various entertainment technologies, from mail-order Netflix to modern streaming platforms. Alanna's in-depth knowledge of Sling TV's modular service and her ability to cover diverse streaming content make her a key expert in navigating the complex landscape of modern streaming options, especially in sports and entertainment.

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