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TBS: Get the Iconic, All-Around TV Channel Online Cheaper Without Cable

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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:

  • 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% with Sling TV.
  • Hulu + Live TV: This total entertainment streaming service provides a great on-demand selection and all the essential live TV channels.

If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, try ExpressVPN to get access to the content you deserve.

In a hurry? Unfortunately, we don’t know a streaming service in that offers this TV channel/sport. But if you’ve already paid for the right service, and just can’t watch because of your location, there is an easy way to get the sports, movies, and TV you deserve. You need a VPN, like one of the following.

ExpressVPN

1. ExpressVPN: Established VPN provider in 105 countries. Smart DNS, a built-in ad-blocker, and unlimited bandwidth. Try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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3. Private Internet Access: The only no-logs VPN with a location for every US state. Get 82% off + 2 months free.

If you’re overwhelmed and not sure where to begin, you’ll find all the answers in our full VPN guide.

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!

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

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.

Get ExpressVPN Today

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

Sling TV Logo (2021 100x50)
Relevant ChannelsCartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TCM*, TNT, truTV
Total Channels40+
Cloud DVR50 hours
Simultaneous Screens3
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:

You can also check out our guide to March Madness coverage and schedule, or how to watch AEW every week.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

Sling TV TBS
TBS program dashboard on SlingTV.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM
Relevant ChannelsCartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TCM, TNT, truTV
Total Channels75+
Cloud DVRUnlimited*
Simultaneous Screensunlimited
Free Trial*5 days
DIRECTV STREAM Price$79.99/mo
*Online signup only

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

hulu logo

Relevant ChannelsCartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TCM, TNT, truTV
Total Channels85+
Cloud DVRUnlimited*
Simultaneous Screens2
Free Trial
Hulu Price$76.99/mo
*9 month storage

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:

Try Hulu + Live TV Today!

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

Sling TV - TBS - Android
TBS on the Android-based Sling TV app.

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:

American Dad!Bar Mitzvah Hustle

Steve and company sabotage a stuck-up kid's (Seth Green) bar mitzvah after he hits on Steve's girlfriend.

American Dad!Wife Insurance

Francine fears Stan is gone for good when he is kidnapped in Colombia; Steve and Roger take on another case.

American Dad!DeLorean Story-An

Stan and Steve set off on a cross-country search for a set of doors so Stan can finally build his dream car.

American Dad!Every Which Way But Lose

Steve joins a junior football team, but when Stan becomes head coach, Steve is kicked off the team; Francine and Hayley compete for a blue ribbon at the Langley County Fair.

American Dad!Weiner of Our Discontent

When Stan accuses Roger of being worthless, Roger confesses that he's the decider of man's fate and sets out to prove the truth.

Family MattersAin't Nothing but an Urkel

Steve accidentally transforms himself into Elvis; Carl and Harriette are appointed marriage counselors.

Family MattersMy Uncle the Hero

Laura and Myra (Kellie Shanygne Williams, Michelle Thomas) fight over Steve (Jaleel White); Richie's (Bryton McClure) class visits Carl (Reginald VelJohnson) at the precinct.

Family MattersMy Bodyguard

After Steve (Jaleel White) is threatened, Carl (Reginald VelJohnson) acts as his bodyguard; Eddie (Darius McCrary) is hit on by his boss's daughter.

Family MattersWhat's Up Doc?

The Winslows see a counselor to discuss the family's tension and hostility. With Reginald VelJohnson, Jaleel White.

Family MattersWe're Going to Disney World

Steve travels to Walt Disney World to participate in an inventors contest.

Family MattersWe're Going to Disney World

Steve (Jaleel White), in his alter ego, must tell Myra (Michelle Thomas) that he plans to marry Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams); Eddie and Waldo (Darius McCrary, Shawn Harrison) are lost.

Young SheldonPotato 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.

Young SheldonDolomite, 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.

Young SheldonKiller Asteroids, Oklahoma, and a Frizzy Hair Machine

A disappointing loss at the science fair sends Sheldon's life in a new direction.

Young SheldonJiu-Jitsu, Bubble Wrap, and Yoo-Hoo

Sheldon is bullied by an unlikely character; Mary and George disagree on how to handle the situation.

Young SheldonA 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.

Young SheldonGluons, 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.

FriendsThe One With All the Poker

When the girls lose money to the guys in a poker match they seek out Monica's Aunt Iris, a famous card player, for lessons and then demand a rematch.

FriendsThe One Where the Monkey Gets Away

Rachel accidentally lets Ross' pet monkey escape, and the friends form a search party; she is then horrified to learn that her former best friend is engaged to her ex-fiance.

FriendsThe One With the Evil Orthodontist

Rachel is asked to be the maid of honor in her ex-fiance's (Mitchell Whitfield) wedding.

FriendsThe One With the Fake Monica

Monica, Rachel and Phoebe go on a covert operation to track down the woman who stole Monica's credit card.

FriendsThe One With the Ick Factor

Monica's new boyfriend (Stan Kirsch) exposes his own secret after she admits her true age.

FriendsThe One With the Birth

Carol (Jane Sibbett) begins labor; Ross and Susan (Jessica Hecht) clash.

FriendsThe One Where Rachel Finds Out

Rachel discovers Ross' feelings for her when he goes out of town on a business trip.

FriendsThe One With Ross' New Girlfriend

Rachel decides to look up her former boyfriend (Cosimo Fusco) when she is distraught over Ross' new girlfriend (Lauren Tom).

FriendsThe One With the Breast Milk

While tending his son, Ross expresses his displeasure when Phoebe tastes Carol's breast milk to check the temperature.

FriendsThe One Where Heckles Dies

Monica and Rachel's grumpy downstairs neighbor (Larry Hankin) dies and leaves all his belongings to the girls.

FriendsThe One With Phoebe's Husband

The group is amazed when Phoebe marries a Canadian ice dancer (Steve Zahn) to help him get his green card.

FriendsThe One With Five Steaks and an Eggplant

The group's plans of throwing a birthday party are marred when money becomes an issue; Chandler sets a woman up to get a date with her, but a case of mistaken identities means that he discovers what she really thought of him.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Infestation Hypothesis

Amy is caught in the middle when Penny and Sheldon get into an argument over a pre-owned chair; Leonard tries to make his long-distance relationship more exciting.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Pulled Groin Extrapolation

Amy and Leonard try to become better acquainted; Bernadette, Howard and Mrs. Wolowitz spend the weekend together.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Wiggly Finger Catalyst

Raj wants a girlfriend, so Penny introduces him to a woman he can communicate with.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Russian Rocket Reaction

Wil Wheaton invites Leonard and Sheldon to a party at his house; Howard receives an opportunity.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Rhinitis Revelation

Sheldon finds himself competing with the gang for his mother's (Laurie Metcalf) attention when she visits.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Good Guy Fluctuation

An attractive comic book artist tests Leonard and Priya's relationship; Sheldon tries to scare his friends.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Isolation Permutation

Amy is devastated when Penny and Bernadette shop for wedding dresses without her.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Ornithophobia Diffusion

Leonard and Penny spend time alone; Sheldon tries to face his fear of birds.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Flaming Spittoon Acquisition

Sheldon is jealous when Stuart (Kevin Sussman), a guy from the comic book store, asks Amy out on a date.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Speckerman Recurrence

Leonard must face the bully who targeted him in high school; Penny confronts her past actions.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Shiny Trinket Maneuver

Amy is upset with Sheldon when he isn't impressed with her recent accomplishment; Howard struggles with Bernadette's aversion to children.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Recombination Hypothesis

Everything could change when Leonard spontaneously invites Penny to a romantic dinner.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Beta Test Initiation

Penny and Leonard experiment with their new relationship; Raj forms a bond with his phone's virtual assistant.

The Big Bang TheoryThe Friendship Contraction

Leonard starts to reconsider his friendship with Sheldon; Wolowitz tries to choose his astronaut nickname.

Stupid Pet TricksCats for a Better Tomorrow

Comedian and Musician Reggie Watts stops by with his pet fish to share a few movie reviews with Sarah. Also, Sarah meets a spider who can understand Yiddish, a painting pig and a dog and his owner who can parkour and flood the set with oohs and awws.

Modern FamilyMother Tucker

Cameron's mother (Celia Weston) makes Mitchell uncomfortable; Haley breaks up with Dylan.

Modern FamilyDance Dance Revelation

Luke and Manny have their first school dance; Jay and Phil take Luke and Manny on a mall run that becomes quite stressful; Mitch and Cam learn that Lily is biting other kids on the playground.

Modern FamilySlow Down Your Neighbors

Claire intends to stop a car that speeds through the neighborhood; Phil deals with a difficult client; Jay teaches Manny to ride a bike; Mitchell and Cameron meet a charming neighbor.

Modern FamilyOur Children, Ourselves

Alex's dedication to learning makes Claire and Phil question themselves; Gloria tries to make new friends; Mitch runs into an ex-girlfriend while out with Cam.

Modern FamilyCaught in the Act

Claire and Phil find themselves in a compromising position when the kids try to surprise them with breakfast in bed; an e-mail mars Jay and Gloria's Vegas vacation; Mitch and Cam try to get a hookup at a hot new restaurant.

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.

Ditch “Big Cable” Now – 3 Simple Steps to Cut the Cord

  1. Pick the right streaming service
  2. Get the content you deserve with the best VPN.
  3. Supercharge your internet provider

That’s it — you’ll save money, take back control, and enjoy TV more!

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Alanna Baker

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