This post was written in partnership with Sling TV.
Giving up your cable plan doesn’t mean sacrificing your favorite go-to channels like TBS. In fact, some streamers have more channels available than your local cable provider, and, for many people, it’s cheaper, too. Learning how to stream TBS without cable is as simple as reading through this article to see which popular cable alternatives offer this channel.
TBS, or the Turner Broadcasting System, is an extended cable channel that shows a variety of movies, shows and sports. The channel shows more syndicated movies and shows, including Cast Away and Friends, then it has original content. That being said, TBS does have some original shows. TBS also has a lot of sports content, including NHL playoffs and some NBA and MLB games.
Sling TV |
DIRECTV STREAM |
Fubo |
Hulu + Live TV |
YouTube TV |
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TBS |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
If you’re wondering how to watch TBS without cable and you’re on a budget, this might be the service for you. Sling TV has three different plans starting at $40 per month, and TBS is available with the Orange or Orange & Blue plan. You’ll pay about half what you might pay for another service -- but you can expect fewer channels, too.
The Sling TV Sports Extra add-on is available for an additional $15 per month. This add-on features 25 channels, including the Big Ten Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, ESPNU, FS2 and MLB Network.
DIRECTV STREAM is a great option to watch TBS because it includes the network in all of its four channel packages. The platform also has a variety of entertainment and news networks, including AMC, BBC News, CNN, E!, ESPN, Freeform, FX and Lifetime.
If accessing MLB games on TBS isn’t enough, you can also find a lot of other sports content on DIRECT STREAM. The streamer has a contract with Bally Sports, which allows it to offer more regional sports games than any other streaming service. You’ll find ESPN, ESPN2, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network and NHL Network among your options.
Hulu + Live TV plans share one channel list, but you’re in luck -- TBS is on the menu. If you sign up for this streamer starting at $76.99, you also gain access to the entire Hulu on-demand library, Disney Plus content, and all that ESPN Plus has to offer. You’ll find TBS originals among the available on-demand titles in Hulu's library.
Other Hulu sports channels typically include CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2 and the NFL Network. Channels may vary depending on your location. You can also get the Hulu + Live TV sports add-on for $9.99 per month and access NFL RedZone, FanDuel TV, FanDuel Racing, MAVTV, Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel.
YouTube TV also has TBS in its channel lineup. Keep in mind that the networks available to you may vary slightly based on location. YouTube TV has a robust on-demand library in addition to its live programming, and it's simple to sign up if you already have a Google login.
On top of TBS you'll gain access to ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL Network in the lineup. If that’s not enough, you can get the sports add-on to increase the number of sports channels in your account. This extra costs $10.99 per month and includes 13 networks, including NFL Red Zone.
If you already pay for cable, you can download the TBS app on most smart devices, including your phone for on-the-go viewing. The TBS app is available in both the Apple Store for iOS and Google Play for Android.
You can download the TBS app to your Smart TV, or use it with:
Streaming offers more flexibility than cable, particularly when it comes to DVR. Your saved programs can be accessed from your laptop or another device when you’re away from home. Live streaming sports offers the same experience as cable and allows you to rewind if you missed a play. Another major benefit of streaming sports is that you’ll often pay less than you would for a cable package, with the option to cancel or pause your subscription at any time.
You can choose between Sling TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV for live streaming TBS.
Yes, the TBS app is compatible with the Amazon Fire Stick. You will need a cable login to access content.
No. TBS used to stream NBA games, but the games are now on TNT, another Turner Broadcasting Network channel.