How to Watch MeTV, MeTV Toons Without Cable

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Published: February 29, 2024

MeTV fans can rely on either a streaming service or a free over-the-air station to watch “Svengoolie” and classic TV shows.

In the streaming world, MeTV has branched out with sibling networks such as MeTV+ and MeTV Toons.

Not everyone has access to a TV antenna for free over-the-air (OTA) channels. Frndly TV and Philo are the best ways to stream MeTV, MeTV Toons and MeTV+ without a cable subscription. DIRECTV STREAM is a third option for streaming MeTV. These three live TV streaming services offer a variety of cable TV networks online.

This guide breaks down all your options for watching MeTV and getting it free as an OTA channel.

ServiceFree TrialMonthly PriceKey Channels/Content
Frndly TVYes $7.99 (Basic), $9.99 (Classic), $11.99 (Premium)MeTV, MeTV+, MeTV Toons, A&E, History, The Weather Channel, Hallmark Channel
PhiloYes$28MeTV, MeTV Toons, MeTV+, A&E, AMC, Discovery, Food Network, Hallmark Channel, History, MTV, Paramount Network, AMC+, Sundance Now, Shudder
DIRECTV STREAMYes$108.99 (Choice)MeTV, ESPN, CNN, Discovery, TNT, HGTV, FOX, CBS
TV AntennaNoFreeMeTV, MeTV Toons (available in many markets)

What can you watch on MeTV?

Known as Memorable Entertainment Television, MeTV serves as a prime destination for classic television spanning shows from the 1930s to the 1990s.

Recent interest has surged in classics like “Saved by the Bell,” “The A-Team,” and “All in the Family,” all available on MeTV. Favorites such as “Perry Mason,” “Svengoolie,” “Highway Patrol,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” and 1970s cartoons are also featured in the MeTV catalog.

Frndly TV

Frndly TV offers MeTV, MeTV+, and MeTV Toons without cable or a TV antenna at a low cost. It features over 50 live channels, including A&E, History, and The Weather Channel. Hallmark Channel and others add to its entertainment lineup. These channels are the same major networks found on services like YouTube TV.

For $9.99 per month, the Classic plan provides HD picture resolution.

The Basic plan has all the same channels in Standard Definition (SD) resolution, and gives you a single stream, for $7.99 per month. Frndly TV stands out for its value, especially for viewers not interested in sports or news.

Viewers can use Frndly TV on various devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and smartphones. The Classic plan includes unlimited Cloud DVR and allows streaming on two screens simultaneously.

At $11.99 per month, the Premium plan increases this to four screens. Both plans offer a free 7-day trial and easy cancellation.

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Basic$7.99/month50 (SD Resolution)
Classic$9.99/month50 (HD Resolution)
Premium$11.99/month50 (HD Resolution) &
Simultaneous Streams: 1 (Basic); 2 (Classic); 4 (Premium)
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited (Classic & Premium only)
Exclusive Content: No
Local Channels: No

Device support: AirTV Mini, Amazon Echo Show, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast along with Smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast.

Philo

Philo includes MeTV, MeTV Toons, and MeTV+ in its 72-channel lineup for $28 per month.

With Philo, you get access to a variety of popular cable channels including A&E, AMC, Discovery, Food Network, Hallmark Channel, History, MTV, and Paramount Network.

Subscribers also receive AMC+, which includes movies and series from AMC+, Sundance Now, and Shudder. This additional content makes Philo a great option for fans of these streaming services. You will find all the content from AMC+ on-demand within the Philo app.

New customers can enjoy a 7-day free trial, giving them a chance to explore Philo’s offerings before committing.

Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR storage, allowing them to save their favorite shows and movies without worrying about space. Additionally, Philo provides a large library of on-demand content from various TV networks.

Philo is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Android TV devices such as Google Chromecast. From a web browser, you can watch Philo on Mac computers and PCs. There is also extensive support for mobile devices, including iPhones and iPads with the latest iOS, and Android smartphones.

Philo Channels
(Photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Philo$28/month72
Simultaneous Streams: 3
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: Yes (via AMC+, Sundance Now & Shudder)
Local Channels: No

Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, and Sony Bravia.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM now features MeTV in its Choice package and above. 

This package includes sports and entertainment networks such as ESPN, CNN, Discovery, TNT, and HGTV. Subscribers also receive local channels like FOX and CBS. A subscription to the Choice plan is $108.99 per month.

A standout feature of DIRECTV STREAM is unlimited live TV streaming on household screens. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR storage for recording TV shows, live sports, and movies. The service has a huge on-demand library, with over 90,000 titles.

Device compatibility is broad, supporting Roku, Android TV, Apple TV, and mobile devices. Beyond the Choice package, DIRECTV STREAM offers Ultimate and Premier plans for more channel variety.

The company announced a deal to stream MeTV on their channel lineups back in July 2023. There has been no announcements on adding MeTV Toons to DIRECTV STREAM in 2024.

The service offers a 5-day free trial for new users to explore its features without commitment. Its month-to-month subscription model provides the flexibility to cancel anytime, offering a modern alternative to traditional cable.

directv stream local channels
(photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Entertainment$79.99/month75+
Choice$108.99/month105+
Ultimate$119.99/month140+
Premier$164.99/month150+
Simultaneous Streams: Unlimited
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: No
Local Channels: Yes

Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia.

 

How to Watch MeTV & MeTV Toons for Free Without Cable

A TV antenna is the most effective way to watch MeTV and MeTV Toons for free. 

Residents near broadcast towers have a good chance of accessing local HD channels. Antennas Direct provides a free tool to check MeTV’s availability. Just enter your ZIP code to see local OTA channels in your area.

Using a TV antenna, viewers can access MeTV and other popular networks in HD. Although MeTV often broadcasts in 480p, some areas may receive it in HD.

Setting up a TV antenna involves three simple steps:

  1. Connect the antenna to your TV’s “F connector.”
  2. Find the “TV Antenna” option in your TV settings.
  3. Scan for channels.

Why is my antenna not picking up MeTV?

There may be any number of reasons your TV antenna isn’t picking up MeTV. Here are some basic steps you can take if you encounter a problem.

  1. Use the “Where to Watch” page on the MeTV website to make sure a local station is available in your area. MeTV is offered as a local sub-channel. 
  2. Check the listing of MeTV Toons stations by state to find out whether there is a free MeTV Toons OTA station in your local TV market. 
  3. Make sure your antenna is facing the optimal direction for best reception.
  4. Consider a different TV antenna that has undergone hands-on testing.

Streaming MeTV FAQs

Where and How to Watch Svengoolie

“Svengoolie,” renowned for his blend of horror humor and classic monster movies, airs on MeTV every Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

For free access, use a TV antenna to catch MeTV as an over-the-air channel. For streaming options, consider subscriptions to Frndly TV, Philo, or DIRECTV STREAM, which now includes MeTV in its Choice package or higher. These services offer the flexibility to watch Svengoolie live or record for later viewing, ensuring you never miss the thrill and chills of his unique programming.

If you are a fan of specific shows on MeTV such as Svengoolie, then you may want to consider an OTA DVR such as a Tablo 4th generation or HDHomeRun. With an over-the-air DVR, you can record and watch all your favorite shows for free.

Is MeTV Available on Streaming Services?

Yes, Frndly TV, Philo, and DIRECTV STREAM (Choice plan and higher) are the primary services offering MeTV. Frndly TV includes over 50 channels like A&E and The Weather Channel, available for $9.99/month after a trial. Philo has over 72 entertainment-based TV channels, including HGTV, for $28/month post-trial. DIRECTV STREAM’s Choice plan has more than 105 channels for $108.99 per month.

Can I get MeTV on my PC?

Streaming MeTV live on a PC is straightforward with Frndly TV, Philo, and DIRECTV STREAM subscriptions. Just launch a web browser and sign in to your live TV provider.

How do I get MeTV on Roku?

While Roku lacks a MeTV app, subscriptions to Frndly TV, DIRECTV STREAM, or Philo enable live streaming and recording on Roku devices.

Can you get MeTV on Fire TV Stick?

Fire TV users can access MeTV live via Frndly TV or Philo, despite the absence of a dedicated MeTV app.

Is MeTV on Apple TV?

Apple TV supports MeTV through Frndly, DIRECTV STREAM, and Philo apps. These services require a subscription. HDHomeRun or Tablo can also stream MeTV over-the-air on Apple TV.

Viewing MeTV on Smart TVs Smart TVs can display MeTV using an antenna or through Frndly TV, Philo, and DIRECTV STREAM.

Does Hulu Live TV have MeTV?

Hulu Live TV, lacking MeTV, offers over 90 other channels for $76.99/month. Hulu’s on-demand service, priced at $7.99/month, also does not feature MeTV.

Is MeTV on Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime, rich in classic content, does not include MeTV in its Amazon Channels.

What is MeTV Plus?

MeTV Plus, an over-the-air channel, is available in select markets such as Chicago and parts of New York, and Kingman, Arizona. Philo and Frndly TV also carry MeTV+ along with MeTV in their channel lineups.

Is MeTV on Pluto TV?

Pluto TV does not offer MeTV among its 300+ free channels. Pluto TV does have a Classic TV section with a number of channels, but MeTV is not one of them.

You also will not find MeTV on popular free apps such as The Roku Channel, Local Now, and LocalBTV. The MeTV website also does not allow for streaming any TV shows.

Does Peacock have MeTV?

No. Peacock does not offer MeTV. Peacock carries TV shows from NBC and MSNBC along with live sports produced by NBC Sports.

Discover Where to Watch MeTV Today

Don’t miss out on your favorite classic TV shows. MeTV, your go-to for nostalgic television, is readily accessible over-the-air for free with a TV antenna.. Using the public airwaves is for free TV is a straightforward way to enjoy timeless classics at no cost.

Seeking more convenience and additional channels? Consider streaming options instead.

Frndly TV, an affordable choice, includes 50 live TV channels at only $9.99 per month for the HD plan. Start with a 7-day free trial and discover the value without any commitment.

For an even broader selection, Philo offers 72 live TV channels for $28 per month. You can try out the variety with channels such as A&E, Discovery, and MTV Live by signing up for a free 7-day trial with just your mobile number — no hassle, no strings attached. Just cancel online if you don’t want to keep your Philo subscription.

Whether through a free, over-the-air antenna connection or through streaming services, Frndly TV and Philo, you have plenty of ways to get your fill of classic entertainment on MeTV. 

Methodology

I spend hundreds of hours throughout the year conducting hands-on testing of streaming services, including Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV. I do the same rigorous testing for TV antennas and TV-related hardware. Check out the review policy to see how I compare products and services. The Cord Cutting Report is a reader-supported publication, and may earn affiliate commissions when you pick a streaming service through a recommendation. Read our affiliate policy for more information.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.