Hey friend! Are you interested in cutting the cord from expensive cable TV subscriptions? Do you wish you could stream popular channels like History Channel from anywhere, on any device? Well, you‘re in luck!
In this guide, I‘ll walk you through the ins and outs of watching History Channel without cable. I‘ll cover which streaming devices you can use, which streaming services offer History Channel, and expert tips for getting the most bang for your buck.
Let‘s get started!
The Benefits of Cutting Cable
Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let‘s chat about why cord-cutting is so popular lately.
According to eMarketer, over 33 million US households will cancel cable this year alone. That‘s a huge chunk! The #1 reason? The cost savings.
The average cable TV bill is now $217 per month. That‘s over $2,600 per year! And it keeps rising year after year.
Compare that to popular streaming services like Sling TV ($35/month) or YouTube TV ($65/month). You can save hundreds per year by making the switch.
On top of cost savings, streaming gives you:
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Flexibility: Stream whenever and wherever you want on phones, tablets, laptops, TVs, game consoles, and more. No contracts or equipment rentals.
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Customization: Pick and choose your channel packages. Why pay for channels you never watch? Craft your perfect line-up.
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No Hidden Fees: Most streaming services offer flat-rate pricing, so your bill is predictable each month. No surprise equipment fees or taxes.
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Pause, Rewind Live TV: Treat live TV like on-demand. Rewind what you missed or pause when life happens.
When you tally up the benefits, it‘s easy to see why cord-cutting has hit record highs!
Cable TV vs. Streaming Service Costs
Let‘s do a quick cost breakdown, shall we?
The average traditional cable package includes 190+ channels and costs $217 per month according to Consumer Reports.
Comparatively, here are the starting costs of popular streaming TV services:
- Sling TV: $35/month
- Hulu + Live TV: $65/month
- YouTube TV: $65/month
- FuboTV: $65/month
- Philo: $25/month
As you can see, streaming can save you $100+ per month compared to cable. The more cable channels you add, the higher your bill climbs.
Savings add up exponentially over time. Let‘s say you pay $200 per month for cable. If you switched to a $40 streaming service, you‘d save $1,680 per year!
The cost difference is impossible to ignore. Streaming gives you all your favorite channels for way less.
Choosing the Right Streaming Device
Now that you know streaming saves big bucks, let‘s discuss devices.
You‘ll access streaming services through a connected media device like:
- Fire TV Stick: The most popular and affordable streamer starting at $29.99. Plugs into your TV‘s HDMI port.
- Roku: Similar to Firestick with models like Roku Express ($29.99) or Roku Streaming Stick ($49.99). Easy to use.
- Apple TV: Streams content from Apple devices. Costs $149+.
- Android TV Box: Turns any TV with an HDMI port into a smart TV. Check out NVIDIA Shield ($149.99) or Xiaomi Mi Box ($59.99).
- Game Consoles: Use your Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch to stream.
- Smart TVs: Many new TVs have streaming capabilities built-in. No extra device needed.
The Fire TV Stick is my personal favorite. It‘s cheap, fast, and gives you easy access to thousands of streaming apps.
Pro tip: Look for a streaming device that supports both streaming apps AND an antenna. That way you can access local broadcast channels too!
Okay, now that your streaming device is sorted, let‘s move onto the good stuff…streaming services!
How to Watch History Channel Without Cable
Alright, let‘s get to the heart of this guide – watching History Channel without cable.
You have two options here:
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Use a Live TV Streaming Service: Services like Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, etc. These work just like cable, offering live channels, DVR, and on-demand libraries.
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Install the History Channel App: History offers a free app with a limited selection of full episodes from their shows.
I‘ll cover both options in detail below. But first, a quick look at History Channel‘s most popular shows:
- Alone
- American Pickers
- The Curse of Oak Island
- Forged in Fire
- Mountain Men
- Swamp People
- Ancient Aliens
- Counting Cars
- Restoration Garage
And many more! Let‘s get you access to all of them.
Option 1: Live TV Streaming Services
Here are the best live TV streaming services that offer the History channel:
Philo
Cost: $25/month
Channels: 61 channels including History, A&E, AMC, Discovery, OWN, BBC America, CMT, and more.
Pros
- Cheapest live TV streaming service
- Unlimited DVR storage
- 10 profiles per account
Cons
- No sports, local channels, or Turner networks
Philo offers an impressive slate of cable channels at a budget-friendly price. It‘s perfect for those looking to save money but don‘t need sports networks.
The unlimited DVR allows you to record an unlimited amount of shows and keep them for up to one year. Great value!
Sling TV
Cost: Start at $35/month
Channels: 31-47 channels depending on package. Access to History Channel, ESPN, TNT, TBS, Food Network, and more.
Pros
- Stream on 3 devices simultaneously
- 50 hours of free DVR (can upgrade to 200 hours for $5/month)
- Customizable channel packages
Cons
- No local broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, etc.
- Limited channel selection compared to other services
Sling TV is one of the most established and versatile live TV streamers. You can choose either the Sling Orange package ($35/month) or Sling Blue package ($35/month) to get History Channel.
The ability to add extras like sports and news packs make Sling TV fully customizable to your needs.
Hulu + Live TV
Cost: $69.99/month
Channels: 75+ live channels including History, ESPN, TNT, ABC, Cartoon Network, FX, National Geographic, and more.
Pros
- Access to entire Hulu streaming library
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage
- 75+ local and cable channels
- Watch on 2 screens simultaneously
Cons
- Most expensive live TV streamer
- Limited to 2 simultaneous streams
Hulu + Live TV gives you the best of both worlds – live cable channels + tens of thousands of on-demand movies/shows via regular Hulu.
The downside is the higher cost, but you get immense value from the Hulu streaming library and unlimited DVR.
YouTube TV
Cost: $64.99/month
Channels: 85+ live channels including History, ESPN, ABC, Fox, MSNBC, CBS, NBC, and many more.
Pros
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- 85+ top channels across news, sports, and entertainment
- 3 simultaneous streams
- Free 4K upgrade
Cons
- Limited app availability – no Roku/Fire TV support
- Price recently increased
YouTube TV should be a top choice thanks to unlimited DVR, 6 user profiles, the most simultaneous streams (3), and a broad channel lineup.
However, the recent price hike and lack of support for major streaming devices like Firestick makes it less appealing. Still a solid choice overall.
Option 2: History Channel App
Don‘t want to pay for a streaming service? You can watch a limited selection of History Channel‘s content using their official app.
The History Channel app is free to install and use on most devices like:
- Fire TV
- Roku
- Android phones/tablets
- iPhones/iPads
- Android TV (NVIDIA Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, etc.)
- Apple TV
The app provides full episodes and clips from many History Channel shows like Ancient Aliens, Alone, American Pickers, Counting Cars, Mountain Men, and several others.
There are commercials, and you won‘t get anywhere near the amount of content as a paid streaming service. But it‘s suitable for casual viewing.
More Ways to Watch History Channel Without Cable
If the options above don‘t quite fit your needs, there are a few more ways to stream History Channel without cable:
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Use an antenna for local channel access: Many local broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX carry History Channel shows. An affordable antenna can pull them in for free.
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Rotate streaming services each month: Jump between Philo, Sling, Hulu, and YouTube TV month-to-month to save money. Just remember to cancel before the next billing cycle.
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Pay for individual episodes/seasons: You can buy digital copies of History Channel shows from services like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. Typically $1.99-$2.99 per episode or $9.99-$19.99 per season.
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Use a friend‘s cable login: If you know someone with a cable package including History Channel, ask to borrow their login to access the History app, website, or TV Everywhere apps.
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IPTV services: Alternative online streaming providers like Gears TV, Steamline, and more offer cable channels. But legality is questionable, and quality inconsistent. Use at your own risk.
Those are your main options for watching History Channel without cable. Let‘s recap the pros and cons of each method.
Streaming Service Comparison Chart
|| Philo | Sling TV | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV | History App |
|-|-|-|-|-|-|
|Price Per Month|$25|$35|$69.99|$64.99|Free|
|Number of Channels|61|31-47|75+|85+|Limited|
|Simultaneous Streams|3|1-3|2|3|1|
|DVR|Unlimited Cloud DVR|50 hours (upgradable)|Unlimited Cloud DVR|Unlimited Cloud DVR|None|
|Top Pro|Cheap with good channel selection|Customizable channel packages|Hulu on-demand library|Unlimited DVR|Free|
|Top Con|No sports, news, or local channels|Limited overall channels|Most expensive service|No Fire TV or Roku support|Limited episodes|
As you can see, each service has pros and cons. Think about your must-have channels, budget, and features to decide.
For the best all-around cable replacement, I recommend Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV. But shop around for free trials first!
Expert Tips for Streamers
Alright, we‘ve covered a ton of ground so far. Let‘s wrap up with some expert tips:
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Always start with the free trial before paying. Test a service thoroughly before committing.
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Channel surf during the trial to ensure your must-haves are covered well.
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Check streaming quality on all your devices during slow and peak times. Don‘t get stuck with constant buffering after the trial ends.
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Compare DVR features closely. Some limit storage and expiration timeframes.
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Note simultaneous stream allowances. Each service differs in how many people can stream at once.
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See if premiums like HBO or Starz can be added on. It‘s often cheaper than paying those services individually.
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Compare prices of channel packages and customization options to optimize value.
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Use an OTA antenna as a free supplement to streaming. It adds local broadcast networks.
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Invest in a streaming device optimized for your service apps. Firestick for Fire TV, Roku stick for Roku, etc.
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Learn to use your streaming service‘s TV interface. The layouts mimic cable TV guides.
And that‘s a wrap! I hope this guide gave you a full overview of watching the History Channel without cable. The money you‘ll save each month is worth the switch.
Happy streaming! Let me know if you have any other questions.