How to Watch MTV Without Cable in 2025

cord-cutting › mtv • March 8, 2025 • The Staff

The golden era of MTV might be behind us, it is still a channel worth having for its reality TV programming and some scripted series like Girl Code or Messyness.

You don't need cable to watch MTV. You can stream MTV live without cable on DirecTV Stream, Philo, Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV + Entertainment Extra, YouTube TV, or Spectrum TV Choice.

The cheapest option to watch MTV live is Philo for $28/month.

Below, we count down the best ways to watch MTV that cord-cutters use. We made this ranking based on each service's value: how many other channels each dollar of subscription will get you.

Our top three ways to watch MTV:

	DirecTV Stream 5 day free trial	Watch

	Philo 7 day free trial	Watch

	Fubo 7 day free trial	Watch

MTV on DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream is the level-up Live TV streaming platform designed to substitute traditional cable and satellite services. With $86.99 a month, you can access live feeds of the most popular channels and you can even get a special box called "Gemini Air" with a custom remote for the service to compliment the enhanced viewing experience. Access at least 80 channels from its robust lineup that allows you to stream up to 20 devices from your home and up to 3 devices when you’re on the go. Plus, you get unlimited cloud DVR so you can watch your favorite shows whenever you want.

Go to DirecTV Stream

Price: $86.99/month

Free Trial: 5 days

Channel lineup: ABC, ACC Digital Network, AccuWeather, Alien Nation, AMC, Anger Management, Animal Planet, Are We There Yet?, Ax Men, AXS TV, Baby First, BBC America, BET, Big 12, Bloomberg TV, Bob Ross, Boomerang, Bravo, BUZZR, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS local channels, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, C NBC, CNN, CNN en Espanol, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy Dynamics, Court TV, Crime 360, Curiosity Now, CW, Daystar HD, Declassified, Discovery Channel, Duck Dynasty, E! Entertainment, EarthxTV, Ebony TV, El Rey Rebel, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, FMC, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Weather, Freeform, FUEL TV, Fuse Music, FX, FXX, Galavision, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery, HerSphere, HGTV, HLN, Home Shopping Network, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, ion Television, Jewelry Television, MeatEater TV, MotorTrend, MovieSphere, MSNBC, MTV, MTV2, NBA TV, NBC, NBC local channels, News Nation, Newsmax, Nick Jr., One America News, Ovation, Oxygen True Crime, Paramount Network, PBS, PBS Kids, PBS local channels, Poker GO, Pursuit Channel, QVC, QVC2, QVC3, Racing America, REELZ, REVOLT, RFD-TV, RSNs, Scientology Network, Scripps News, Shop LC, Somos Novelas, SportsGrid, Start TV, SundanceTV, SYFY, Tastemade Home, Tastemade Travel, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Telemundo local channels, The First, theGrio, TLC, TNA, TNT, truTV, TV Land, TV One, Univision, Up TV, USA Network, VH1, Waypoint TV, WE tv, Women’s Sports Network, Yahoo! Finance

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android Phones, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV

MTV on Philo

Philo is a rising star as an affordable live TV and streaming platform you can get for $28 a month. With more than 60 channels to choose from across 3 devices simultaneously, watch series and shows from popular channels without breaking the bank. The only caveat is Philo’s limited options for local news and sports channel streaming and lineup, which would not be a problem for watchers of on-demand content. Philo’s easy-to-use interface, availability on a variety of devices, and unlimited DVR storage make it a sweet deal cord-cutters can’t resist.

Go to Philo

Price: $28/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Channel lineup: A&E, AccuWeather Network, AMC, AMC Plus, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, aspireTV, AXS TV, Baywatch, BBC America, BBC News, BET, BET Her, Catchy Comedy, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, Comedy Central, Cook’s Country, Cooking Channel, Crackle, Crime-Investigation, Dabl, Deck the Hallmark, Destination America, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, FETV, Food Network, FYI, Game Show Network, GetTV, Great American Family, Great American Living, Gusto TV, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Mystery, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, IFC, INSP, Investigation Discovery, KIN, Law&Crime, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, MeTV, MeTV Toons, Motor Trend, MSG SportsZone, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV Live, MTV2, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Oprah Winfrey Network, Overtime, Paramount Network, Perform by LIFETIME, PlayersTV, pocket.watch, Pop TV, RetroCrush, REVOLT, Revry, Ryan and Friends, Scares by Shudder, Science Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Start TV, Story Television, Sundance TV, Tastemade, TeenNick, TLC, Travel Channel, TV Land, TV One, UPtv, Vevo 80s, Vevo 90s, Vevo Country, Vevo Hip-Hop, Vevo Holiday, Vevo Pop, VH1, Vice, WE tv, Xtreme Outdoor by HISTORY

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android Phones, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, iPhone, LG Smart TV, Roku, Samsung TV

MTV on Fubo

If you like over 120 channels to choose from and you are an avid sports fan, FuboTV might be the streaming platform for you. For $79.99 a month for its Pro plan, you can catch shows from major broadcast and cable networks, watch around 100 sporting events available in 4K resolution, and even have them on replay with 1,000 hours of cloud DVR (or more with upgraded plans). Plus, you can create up to six profiles per account for your family and friends. FuboTV can be accessible by up to 3 devices simultaneously on-the-go and 10 screens at once at home.

Go to Fubo

Price: $84.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Channel lineup: A&E, ABC, ABC News Live, ACC Network, AccuWeather, Bein Sports, Big Ten Network, Bravo, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar, CMT, C NBC, Comedy Central, Comet, Court TV, Cozi TV, CW, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Estrella TV, FETV, FMC, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, fubo Sports Network, FX, FXX, FYI, Galavision, GetTV, Golf Channel, GRIT, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Mystery, History, IFC, Intravel, Local Now, MASN, MSNBC, MTV, National Geographic, NBC, NBC local channels, NBCLX, NBCSN, Newsmax, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Olympic Channel, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, RSNs, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SYFY, Tastemade, Telemundo, Telemundo local channels, The Weather Channel, Travel Channel, TUDN, TUDNxtra, TV Land, TVG, Unimas, Unimas local channels, Universal Kids, Universo, USA Network, VH1, Vice, WGN America, Willow, YES Network

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android Phones, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, Roku, Xfinity Flex, Xumo

MTV on Hulu with Live TV

Combining your streaming and live TV needs in a whole package of $82.99 a month (with ads) and $89.99 a month (without ads), Hulu with Live TV offers access to its library of shows and movies plus more than 90 local, regional, and national channels, including Disney+ and ESPN+. Hulu’s Live TV service blends seamlessly from its subscription streaming service, with the multitude of exclusive shows and movies, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and easy-to-navigate interface that makes it an attractive streaming platform for many viewers.

Go to Hulu with Live TV

Price: $82.99/month

Free Trial: 3 days

Channel lineup: A&E, ABC, ABC News Live, ACC Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, BET, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg TV+, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS News, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar News, CMT, C NBC, CNN, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cozi TV, CW, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN College Extra, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Game Show Network, Get TV, Golf Channel, Hallmark, Hallmark Mystery, HGTV, History, HLN, ID, Justice Central TV, Lifetime, Lifetime Movies, LiveNOW, Localish, Military History Channel, Motor Trend, MSNBC, MTV, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBC, NBC local channels, NBC News Now, NBCLX, NBCSN, News Nation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, QVC, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, Start TV, SYFY, TBS, Telemundo, The Grio, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, Turner Classic Movies, TVLand, Universal Kids, USA Network, Vevo '80s, Vevo '90s, Vevo Country, Vevo Features, Vevo Hip-Hop, Vevo Pop, VH1, Vice, Weather Channel

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android Phones, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, iPhone, LG TV, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

MTV on Sling TV + Entertainment Extra

When you add the Entertainment Extra to one of Sling's plans, you make sure that you get your comedy channels on top of many basics. Also important to note that Paramount Network, home to the hit Yellowstone, comes included.

Go to Sling TV + Entertainment Extra

Price: $52/month

Device availability: AirTV, Amazon Fire TV, Android Phones, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

MTV on YouTube TV

Youtube TV is one of the popular options many viewers consider when cutting the cord and replacing their cable TV. Access more than 85 live TV channels, including those in your region, plus original content from YouTube Originals for $73 per month. You may upgrade your plan for $19.99 for Dolby Digital support, 4K resolution streaming, offline downloads, and unlimited streams all at once. You may also customize channels if you pay for premium extras for channels like Showtime, Starz, NBA League Pass, and MLB TV among others. Youtube TV offers extensive channel options, and an easy-to-use, familiar interface available on most devices that allows 6 accounts and 3 simultaneous streams for every subscription.

Go to YouTube TV

Price: $82.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Channel lineup: ABC, ABC News, ACCN, Adult Swim, AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bounce, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, Charge!, Cheddar, Cheddar News, CMT, C NBC, C NBC World, CNN, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Comet, Court TV, Cozi TV, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Disney, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Docurama, Dove Channel, E!, ESPN, ESPN U, ESPN2, ESPNews, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, Galavision, Game Show Network, Get TV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Mystery, HGTV, HLN, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Justice Central TV, LAFC Channel, Law & Crime, Live Now, Local Now, Localish, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV 2, MTV Classic, My TV, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, NBC, NBC local channels, NBC News Now, NBC Universo, NBCLX, NBCSN, NECN, Neon, News Nation, Newsmax, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Orlando City Channel, OWN, Oxygen, Oxygen True Crime, Paramount, PBS, PBS Kids, PBS local channels, PC Mag, Pop, QVC, Recipe.TV, Scripps News, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SNY, Start TV, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBD, TBS, Teen Nick, TeleHit, Telemundo local channels, Tennis 2, The CW, The Great Courses, The Walking Dead Universe, The Weather Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, Tru TV, Turner Classic Movies, TV Land, TYT, Unimas, Unimas local channels, Universal Kids, Univision, Univision local channels, USA Network, VH1, WE tv, YouTube Originals, Zen channel

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android Phones, Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV Streamer, iOS, LG TV, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung TV, Sharp, Vizio, Xbox

MTV on Spectrum TV Choice

Spectrum Internet subscribers can enjoy a more trimmed-down, affordable live TV streaming service with popular cable channels like ESPN. Spectrum TV Choice costs $53.19 a month, and gives you access more than 15 channels as well as most local channels.

Go to Spectrum TV Choice

Price: Varies depending on your location and account history.

How to watch MTV for free?

Unfortunately there are no streaming services that offer MTV completely for free. That said, as we mentioned above you can get it for free for a limited time by subscribing to a service with a free trial. Here they are, this time ranked by which one offers the longest free trial:

YouTube TV (7 days free)
Spectrum TV Choice (7 days free)
Philo (7 days free)
Fubo (7 days free)
DirecTV Stream (5 days free)
Hulu with Live TV (3 days free)

What is the cheapest way to watch MTV?

The least expensive way to watch MTV is to get a subscription to Philo for $28/month.