In the world of cable TV we’ve gotten used to music channels that feature shockingly little music. That isn’t true of AXS TV. Read on to learn everything you need to know about it and how to get rid of your cable or satellite provider and watch without cable.
In a hurry? AXS TV is not well-supported by streaming services. Most don’t offer it. But the handful of those that do are excellent:
- DIRECTV STREAM: Makes it easy to switch from cable to streaming with their 90+ 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 $25 your first month with Sling TV.
- Philo: This service gives you 70+ live TV channels for just $28/month!
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
AXS TV is a general entertainment network that is perfect for music lovers. Instead of normal sitcoms and movies, it airs concerts, high-energy wrestling, deep interviews, and other music programs. It isn’t the best-known music channel but it may well be the source of your new favorite show.
It is possible to view the channel without a cable subscription. Let’s take a look at some of your streaming options.
What is AXS TV?
AXS, or Access, is majority-owned by Anthem Sports Entertainment. A founding partner was Mark Cuban, the colorful owner of Dallas Mavericks and entrepreneur on the show Shark Tank.
AXS TV hit the airwaves in 2001. Back then, it went by the name HTNet. HTNet was meant to be an HD network that carried general entertainment. However, in 2012, it was rebranded. Stakes in the network were sold to Ryan Seacrest, Creative Artists Agency, and Anschutz Entertainment Group.
On July 2, 2012, AXS was born with a shift in content. At that point, it included additional pop-culture programs, music, and other entertainment. Eventually, Anthem acquired a majority share of the network. Today, AXS TV offers a mixture of music-centered programs and combat sports.
It is available to more than 50 million households.
AXS Shows
A large majority of AXS shows concentrate on rock music and the legends who live it.
- Rock ‘N’ Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar: The legendary singer and once frontman for Van Halen takes viewers on a trip across America. You get to hang with him and other famous rock artists as they play some music and have great conversations. In the past, the show has featured Willie Nelson, Eddie Money, and Bret Michaels.
- Rock Legends: Get a behind the curtain look at untold stores of musicians who have had a great influence on the classic rock ‘n’ roll genre. Some of the biggest names include ZZ Top, Billy Joel, and Cher.
- Life from the Artist’s Den: If you appreciate a good concert, this program gives you an inside look at some of the greatest venues of all times. For example, you can watch famous performers take the stage at awe-inspiring places like the United Palace Theatre, Nashville’s historic War Memorial Auditorium, and the rustic-chic Lovelace Bar in Alabama.
- Discovering Lucy Angel: This series is a little country, a little family, and a little music all rolled into one. You can follow Lucy Angel, a mother-daughter trio, as they launch their national music career.
- Trunkfest with Eddie Trunk: Noted radio host Eddie Trunk takes viewers on an adventure through some of the best music events and festivals around the country. Along the way, he explores the area, the bands, and the food. You are sure to discover places that carry the rock vibe.
Popular Programming
Besides music, AXS TV airs some of the best movies and sporting events like impact wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA). Also, there is one surprising series that has gained great popularity.
- The Big Interview with Dan Rather: Dan Rather, legendary news reporter, has created a show that allows him to use his investigative prowess for things other than world affairs. He sits down with major music guests and delivers interviews like you’ve never seen. Singing celebrities like Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Ice Cube are just a few big names that have been featured. They span multi-generations and invoke intriguing points of view.
Stream AXS TV
The biggest streaming services, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, do not offer AXS TV. Neither does the sports-focused FuboTV. But there are three top-quality services that do offer it along with cloud DVR and streaming on multiple devices at the same time.
Philo
Philo is one of the simplest and least extensive ways to view television programs. It’s ideal for those who enjoy lifestyle and entertainment shows. Try Philo free for 7 days. It also features a lot of kids and music channels. For $28/month, you receive 60+ channels, including AXS TV. (Philo review)
Sling TV
Sling TV provides the option to stream on-demand films and live TV and sports. It is a very affordable alternative to cable. Save $25 on your first month of Sling TV. AXS TV is available on either of its base plans: Sling Orange or Sling Blue. Both cost $40.00/month and include A&E, AMC, BET, Cartoon Network, CNN, Comedy Central, and more. Blue features more channels including NBC and Fox. Orange offers ESPN and Disney. (Sling TV review)
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) will make you forget that you don’t have a cable subscription. New customers get a 5-day free trial with DIRECTV STREAM. Its lowest package begins at $79.99/month, which includes AXS TV along with all your local affiliates (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) as well as sports giants ESPN and FS1. (DIRECTV STREAM review)
AXS TV App
There is an AXS TV app that is available on Android and iOS mobile devices along with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku devices. It provides on-demand access but no live stream. It doesn’t support TV Everywhere. And we’ve found it extremely buggy on Fire TV and of limited usefulness on Roku. It does, however, provide some app-only content.
TVs and Devices to Watch AXS TV
All the streaming services we’ve highlighted support the devices that make TVs smart: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku as well as Chromecast. They also support Android and iOS mobile devices.
Sling TV and DIRECTV STREAM support Samsung smart TVs. Philo and Sling TV support Android TV-based units. Sling TV supports many others including LG and VIZIO smart TVs as well as Xbox One and Oculus.
See our streaming reviews for complete details.
Wrapping Up
AXS TV is the place to turn when you need your dose of pop-culture or rock and roll. When you don’t have tickets for your favorite artist’s show, you can still enjoy music from various concerts and live music festivals from your living room.
Original series programming offers a glimpse at interviews with some of music’s most memorable artists as well. All of this is available without a cable subscription. Take advantage of all your streaming options.
We recommend the Sling Blue plan for AXS TV.
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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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