MTV: Top Streaming Services & Devices to Watch Live Music Shows Without Cable

I’ve watched MTV evolve a lot over the last few decades, yet I still see it remaining a popular channel. Even though I’m thinking about cutting the cord, I know I don’t need to live without it.

In a hurry? Our top picks for getting MTV are the following:

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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.

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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.

If you grew up in the 1980s, there is a good chance that you spent your evenings and weekends watching your favorite bands on MTV. Although the network has evolved significantly since its debut roughly 40 years ago, there is still plenty of quality content that caters to teens and adults alike.

As a general rule, MTV is available through all of the major streaming services, which means that it should be easy to get even if you don’t have cable.

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How to Watch MTV Live Without Cable

Since MTV is a cable network, you will not be able to use an antenna to access any of its content. This is because there is no signal for the antenna to acquire over the air. However, if you have access to streaming services, you can watch it without a cable subscription.

You may also be able to get content through the MTV app. But to use it, you may need to sign in with your streaming provider’s information. So it isn’t a way to get MTV independently.

Streaming Services With MTV

There are many potential benefits to watching MTV through a streaming service. For example, most platforms offer access to other channels in the MTV family such as MTV2 and MTV Classic.

What’s more, you can cancel your service at any time, which means that you don’t have to pay to use a platform that doesn’t meet your needs and budget. Plus it makes transferring your service easy when you move.

Overall, streaming services put you in control of your viewing.

Fubo

Fubo (formerly FuboTV) is another full cable replacement service that offers over 130 channels including MTV in its base (Pro) plan for $79.99/month. The Fubo Extra add-on ($7.99/mo) also includes MTV2, MTVU, and MTV Live along with another 45 live TV channels.

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If you are a fan, Fubo is especially worth checking out with over 35 sports channels. All plans come with the ability to watch on up to ten devices at once and unlimited cloud DVR storage.

See our Fubo review for more information.

Philo

Philo offers more than 65 channels as part of its basic package that costs just $28.00/month. These channels include MTV, MTV2, and MTV Classic. You will also get access to MTV Live, which features concerts and other events featuring acts representing a wide variety of musical genres. You also get BET and VH1.

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So how does Philo provide so much for such a low price?

It doesn’t offer any local channels and basically no sports. You can get around the local channels limitation by installing an HD antenna, which is easy to do and works great. There isn’t anything you can do about sports but if that isn’t a thing, Philo may be a great fit for you.

Its plan allows you to stream on up to three devices at once, which works well if your household doesn’t always agree about what to watch. And most impressive, it offers an unlimited DVR.

Find out more in our Philo review.

Sling TV

MTV is available as part of the Sling Entertainment Extra add-on package, which costs $6 per month. This channel is available as an add-on whether you have the Sling Blue or Sling Orange base package.

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You can sign up for either package for $40.00/month or bundle both together for $55.00/month.

The Sling Entertainment Extra package (regardless of base plan) gives you both MTV and MTV2. You also get Paramount Network, Laff, and Revolt. For more information, see our Sling TV review.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) is the last of the full cable replacement streaming services. Its base plan is $86.99/month and includes MTV and MTV2. MTV Classic is available with the Ultimate plan ($129.99/month). And you can get MTV Live with the Movies Extra add-on for $5 more.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free Trial

All DIRECTV STREAM plans include unlimited cloud DVR storage and a generous unlimited simultaneous streaming devices.

Find out more in our DIRECTV STREAM review.

Hulu + Live TV

MTV is available on the Hulu + Live TV base package that costs $82.99/month. It’s a lot more expensive than other plans, but it is a full cable-replacement service with 85+ channels including lots of sports and all the local channels. And it includes an outstanding on-demand library, Disney+, and ESPN+.

Get Hulu + Live TV Free

This package also comes with the Paramount Network and other music channels such as BET and VH1. You can get MTV2, MTV Classic, and 14 other channels by adding the Hulu Entertainment package to your service plan for $7.99 per month.

Hulu allows you to stream on up to two devices at once and comes with unlimited cloud DVR (9 month storage). Our Hulu + Live TV review provides all the details.

Other Ways to Get MTV

There are other ways to get MTV:

• YouTube TV: Offers MTV, MTV2, and MTV Classic in its 100+ channel package for $72.99/month.
• Paramount+: Paramount Global’s premium streaming service doesn’t offer a live stream of MTV but it does offer most of the shows you will find on it. The base plan (Essential) is $7.99/month. The premium plan (Paramount+ with Showtime) features mostly commercial-free viewing as well as the live stream of your local CBS affiliate for $12.99/month.
• Pluto TV: Offers some archived MTV. You will find MTV content scattered around other on-demand services.

TVs and Other Devices to Watch MTV

You need a streaming device to watch MTV. At its simplest, this can be a web browser. But there is no reason that you and your friends need to gather around your computer to watch.

All the streaming services all you to view on your smartphone or tablet as long as they support Android and iOS.

You can also stream on your smart TV — even 4K models. Samsung TVs are widely supported (but not by Philo). Vizio and LG smart TVs are supported by Fubo, Hulu, and Sling TV. All the services support Android TV-based devices and TVs.

And all the services support the common “stick” devices: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku.

Wrapping Up

Although MTV is no longer just a music channel, it does offer a lot of content that viewers of most ages will enjoy.

The primary MTV network focuses on reality television and other content geared toward a modern teen audience. However, MTV2, MTV Classic, and other channels within the MTV family tend to focus on what made the network famous late in the 20th century.

These networks are available on just about every major streaming platform, which means that you’ll have the opportunity to obtain your favorite programming without going over your budget.

FAQs

Is MTV available outside of the United States?

MTV is available throughout most of North America, South America, and Europe. International MTV stations are controlled by ViacomCBS Networks EMEAA, which also has affiliates in Africa and many countries throughout Asia. Furthermore, you may be able to get access to Paramount+ if you live outside of the United States.

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Frank Moraes

I am a Senior Content Editor at Hotdog.com, specializing in sports streaming and regional programming issues. With a PhD in Atmospheric Physics from the Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and extensive experience in remote sensing technology, including early video streaming, I bring a unique technical perspective to the streaming industry.

My expertise in sports coverage, particularly for out-of-market games and regional sports networks, stems from years of hands-on experience as an early adopter of streaming services and my work addressing fans' viewing challenges. As a longtime cord-cutter and subscriber to multiple streaming platforms, I combine my technical knowledge with practical user experience, making me a leading expert in the field of sports streaming and entertainment technology.

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