Streaming A&E Live in 2024: 5 Ways to Watch Without Cable

Exploring your options for streaming A&E live in 2024? While YouTube TV doesn’t feature A&E, alternatives abound. Dive into our comprehensive breakdown of services like DIRECTV STREAM, frndly TV, Hulu with Live TV, Philo, and Sling TV. Each offers unique ways to enjoy A&E’s compelling content.

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There are multiple ways to enjoy A&E live without a traditional cable subscription. 

While YouTube TV does not offer A&E, DIRECTV STREAM, frndly TV, Hulu with Live TV, Philo, and Sling TV provide multiple options for live streaming A&E.

So if you’re wondering which streaming services have A&E, you’re in the right place. I am breaking down all of your options for 2024. These services offer various plans featuring A&E streaming, so that fans of A&E’s iconic series like “The First 48,” “Duck Dynasty,” and “Hoarders” have access to their favorite shows.

Budget-minded cord-cutters can subscribe to frndly, starting at $7.99 per month. You can access select A&E shows for free on tubi and the A&E official website. The A&E app also unlocks live and on-demand content when you activate it with an participating TV provider.

Since its 1984 launch, A&E has become known for iconic series that cover a wide range of interests, from food to culture.

What’s Streaming on A&E


A&E’s current selection includes “Legends of the Fork,” which lets viewers explore American culinary traditions with Buddy Valastro visiting famous restaurants. The series highlights the diversity of American cuisine and its cultural significance. 

“Buddy Valastro’s Cake Dynasty” follows the Valastro family as they create unique cakes, combining art and baking to showcase the growth of their family business, Carlo’s Bake Shop.

Wrestling fans will find “Stone Cold Takes on America” and “WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures” exciting, offering an inside look at wrestling legends. 

For music fans, “Hip Hop Treasures” features stars like LL Cool J and Ice-T, diving into hip-hop culture. Finally, “Home.Made.Nation” showcases American creativity in crafts and baking.

Watch A&E Live Without Cable on DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM is considered a premium choice for A&E streaming, offering A&E in its base package alongside three diverse plans. This service is often considered the closest alternative to traditional cable. In terms of channel lineups, DIRECTV STREAM is the most comprehensive option for watching A&E live without cable. 

directv stream local channels
(photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)

You can start with a free 5-day trial on any plan, with no obligations, and try out one of these A&E streaming options.

  • The Entertainment Package: For $79.99 per month, subscribers get over 75 live TV channels, including A&E, HGTV, History, Nickelodeon, ESPN, and USA Network, along with local channels like NBC and FOX. This plan allows for unlimited screens within your home and comes with unlimited Cloud DVR, plus access to 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.
  • The Choice Package: With an emphasis on sports, this package includes 40 regional sports channels like Bally Sports networks, NBC Sports, and Marquee Sports Network. For $108.99 per month, sports fans get access to more than 105 channels, including key cable TV and RSNs.
  • The Ultimate Package: This package includes over 140 channels such as MGM+, Smithsonian Channel, Sony Movies, and Crime & Investigation. A subscription is $119.99 per month. This Ultimate package is particularly suited for movie enthusiasts, history buffs, and viewers who appreciate documentaries and true crime stories.
  • The Premier Package: This 150+ channel package includes exclusive channels like HBO East, SHOWTIME® East, STARZ, and Cinemax East. This package is ideally suited for customers who want the latest and most popular movies, original series, documentaries, and exclusive events. A subscription is $164.99 per month. 

DIRECTV STREAM is commitment-free with no contracts, allowing you to subscribe on a month-to-month basis and cancel anytime. 

The DIRECTV STREAM app is compatible with Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV, and even iPhones and iPads with current iOS software.

Before deciding, explore the different channel lineups to find the perfect match for your entertainment needs. DIRECTV STREAM makes it easy to enjoy A&E’s iconic series and live content without the traditional cable subscription.

DIRECTV STREAM

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Entertainment$79.99/month75+
Choice$108.99/month105+
Ultimate$119.99/month140+
Premier$164.99/month150+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia

Stream A&E on frndly TV: Budget-Friendly Entertainment

frndly TV stands out as the most affordable option for streaming A&E without the need for cable TV, 

The price point and ease of use makes it a great choice for those looking to watch A&E live. 

With over 50 live TV channels, including Hallmark Channel, INSP, and Lifetime, frndly TV offers a diverse lineup.

There are three wallet-friendly plans you can get to watch A&E with each offering slight differences in picture quality and simultaneous streams.

  • The Basic Plan: Priced at only $7.99 per month, this is the most budget-friendly way to access A&E live. Subscribers get Standard Definition (SD) picture quality and the ability to stream live TV on one screen at a time.
  • The Classic Plan: Upgrades you to HD picture quality for $9.99 per month. This plan enhances your A&E streaming experience with unlimited Cloud DVR storage, allowing you to watch live TV on two screens simultaneously. You can keep recordings for up to three months.
  • The Premium Plan: For those seeking the ultimate viewing flexibility, the Premium plan at $11.99 per month lets subscribers watch live TV on up to four screens at once, with DVR recordings kept for nine months.

Start with a free 7-day trial to test the waters without any commitment. frndly TV is designed for ease and convenience, offering no-contract subscriptions that you can cancel online anytime.

Available on multiple platforms, frndly TV has apps for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Smart TVs equipped with Android TV. This flexibility allows you to enjoy A&E streaming on a PC or smartphone with a frndly TV subscription.

Frndly TV

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Basic$7.99/month50 (SD Resolution)
Classic$9.99/month50 (HD Resolution)
Premium$11.99/month50 (HD Resolution) &
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.

Hulu Live TV: Comprehensive A&E Streaming Experience

Hulu Live TV is a versatile option for streaming A&E among over 90 channels. 

This service not only includes A&E, but also the History Channel, HGTV, CNN, and a suite of ESPN channels. The channel lineup has local NBC, ABC, and FOX stations along with a selection of regional sports channels like NBC Sports.

Priced at $76.99 monthly, Hulu + Live TV includes unlimited DVR, ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu’s extensive on-demand library. The extra streaming subscriptions really enhance Hulu Live’s value with unique, comprehensive access to live sports.  

Hulu’s on-demand service has a collection of A&E series, including multiple seasons of “The First 48,” “Duck Dynasty,” “Intervention,” and “Secrets of Playboy.” 

For those interested in Hulu’s budget offerings, the on-demand streaming service starts at $7.99 per month, with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers. This trial period offers a no-risk way to assess the service’s fit for your viewing preferences.

Hulu + Live TV

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Hulu + Live TV$76.99/month90+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV.

Philo: Watch A&E Without Cable

Philo is an appealing choice for accessing A&E among its more than 72 TV channels. 

At $25 a month, it stands out for its simplicity and value, offering a single package that includes A&E, AMC, Discovery, and Paramount Network. This makes it straightforward for anyone looking to expand their viewing options without the complexity of multiple plans.

Philo’s service shines with its unlimited Cloud DVR, a feature not often found at this price point. 

You can watch Philo across a variety of devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and any device that supports Google TV, like Chromecast or NVIDIA Shield.

The ability to watch Philo from a web browser on Mac computers, PCs, iOS devices, and Android devices adds another layer of convenience. 

Subscribers also gain the benefit of activating the A&E app, along with many others, by using their Philo account. This extends the value of Philo beyond its own channel lineup by giving you access to a broader range of shows and live TV feeds through TV Everywhere apps.

Philo simplifies the process of exploring its service by offering a free one-week trial, which you can start in less than a minute using just your smartphone number. This trial is a straightforward way to experience Philo before you decide to drop cable. 

Philo

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Philo$25/month72
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, and Sony Bravia.

Sling TV: Customize Your A&E Streaming Package

Sling TV is a flexible platform for streaming A&E. 

It includes A&E in both its Orange and Blue channel bundles. Sling allows for personalized channel selection, offering a choice between Sling Orange and Sling Blue as a base. Each base plan caters to different viewing preferences.

Sling Orange provides 32 channels, featuring AMC, A&E, and History, tailored for entertainment lovers. 

Sling Blue, on the other hand, offers about 40 channels, including Discovery, sports channels like NFL Network and local channels in some markets.

Both plans are priced at $40 monthly. Combining Orange and Blue for $55 monthly offers a more comprehensive package.

Sling provides 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage for all subscribers. An introductory offer cuts the first month’s service price in half, making it an attractive budget option.

Sling TV’s compatibility across devices ensures easy access. Whether using Roku, Firestick, Chromecast, Apple TV, Xbox, or smart TVs from Samsung and others supporting Android or Google TV, Sling facilitates easy and straightforward streaming.

The service also supports mobile viewing through apps for iOS and Android, ensuring A&E and other content is available anytime, anywhere.

Sling TV

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Orange$40/month32
Blue$40/month41 (Locals included)
Orange + Blue$55/month88
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.

tubi: Free Access to Classic A&E Shows and More


I consider tubi a notable option for watching A&E content without cost. It’s a free, ad-supported platform that hosts a selection of older A&E shows like “Duck Dynasty” and “Intervention.” 

Beyond these, tubi offers a vast library, including thousands of movies, local news, and children’s programming, catering to a wide audience range.

The accessibility of tubi is impressive. It supports various devices, ensuring viewers can easily find and enjoy their favorite shows. The tubi app integrates seamlessly with Smart TVs from brands like Sony, Hisense, and Vizio. 

It also works well with major streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, making it convenient for users to start streaming A&E classics and much more.

FAQs: Watching A&E Without Cable

How to Watch A&E on the A&E App

DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, and Philo support TV Everywhere access. This feature enables subscribers to activate the A&E app across devices. 

You can stream the A&E app on Smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, and iPads. For free content, A&E’s website features select episodes and older shows under the “A&E Classics” section, ideal for fans looking to catch up without a subscription.

Is A&E Available on YouTube TV?

No, YouTube TV does not include A&E in its channel lineup. However, it offers a wide array of other entertainment-focused networks, including BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon.

Can I Watch A&E on Fubo?

As of April 2023, Fubo does not carry A&E or related networks such as the History Channel and Lifetime, following their removal in June 2021.

How Can I Watch A&E on Roku?

Roku users have several options for streaming A&E. DIRECTV STREAM, frndly TV, Hulu Live TV, Philo, and Sling TV all offer A&E content through their services. Additionally, tubi provides access to select A&E shows for free on Roku devices.

Best Way to Watch or Stream A&E Without Cable

For those exploring cost-effective methods to watch A&E without cable, frndly TV emerges as the leading option, starting at $7.99 per month for SD quality. This service offers a hassle-free 7-day trial and includes over 50 live TV channels, such as History, Hallmark Channel, and The Weather Channel, aligning perfectly with viewers seeking affordable entertainment solutions.

Philo presents a broader selection with more than 72 channels, including AMC, HGTV, Paramount Network, and Discovery, priced at $25 per month. With its commitment-free 7-day trial and no contracts, Philo stands out for viewers prioritizing variety and flexibility in their streaming options.

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.

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