How to Watch The Simpsons Without Cable

I have tested out every streaming option for watching “The Simpsons” and even checked out what’s available if you use a TV antenna.

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There are a number of ways to watch “The Simpsons” without cable.

For cord-cutters, the options range from free to fairly cheap, depending on how soon you want to watch new episodes.

I have tested out every streaming option for watching “The Simpsons” and even checked out what’s available if you use a TV antenna.

Hulu is currently the cheapest way to stream Season 35 of “The Simpsons” on-demand for $7.99 per month. New episodes and repeats are available if you watch FOX with your TV antenna.

If you want to quickly find a way back to Springfield, and only stream older episodes, including the most lauded classics involving Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge and Maggie, you’ll want a subscription to Disney+.

ServiceProsCons
HuluCheapest for Season 35 ($7.99/month), extensive on-demand library, 30-day free trial.Limited to on-demand; no live TV in basic plan.
Disney+Full library of “The Simpsons” Seasons 1-34, affordable at $7.99/month (ad-supported), includes 4K HDR content.Lacks the latest season, no live TV option.
DIRECTV STREAMLocal FOX channels, diverse channel lineup, unlimited home screens, free trials on plans.Starts at $79.99/month, higher cost overall.
FuboComprehensive sports channels, 7-day free trial, 1,000 hours Cloud DVR.Starting at $74.99/month, additional regional sports fee.
Hulu + Live TVOver 90 channels, includes ESPN+, Disney+, unlimited DVR.Costs $76.99/month.
Sling TVAffordable, local FOX in 18 markets, free Cloud DVR.Limited channels, varying local channel availability.
YouTube TV128 channels, unlimited DVR, 7-day trial.$72.99/month, relatively costly.

How to watch “The Simpsons” Season 35

Hulu is the cheapest way to stream the latest episodes of “The Simpsons.”

New episodes of Season 35 became available on Hulu the day after airing live on FOX.  

If you’re playing catch up, all previous seasons of “The Simpsons” is on Disney+.

With a Hulu subscription, you can watch thousands of movies and TV shows, including newer ones on A&EHistory and ABC. And don’t forget about Hulu Originals such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Letterkenny.”

How to Watch Seasons 1 through Season 34

Disney+ has Seasons 1 through Season 34 of “The Simpsons”. 

The streaming service has a number of original shows from the Marvel Universe and Star Wars franchises. There are scores of movies from Pixar and the Disney vault. And there are new shows from National Geographic.

Disney+ also has “The Simpsons” Movie that debuted in 2007. Subscribers can watch on four screens at once.

Unlike Netflix, 4K HDR10 and Dolby Vision picture resolution is included at no extra charge. You can look over the Disney+ library before deciding whether to sign up.

The Disney+ bundle is the least expensive way to get both old and new episodes of “The Simpsons.”

The bundle includes Disney+, Hulu with limited commercials and ESPN+ for $14.99 per month.

ESPN+ streams live NHL games, soccer, college football and basketball. It also carries a huge library of 30 for 30 episodes.

How to watch The Simpsons live on a Roku, Smart TV or Fire TV

You can also live stream FOX on a variety of live TV streaming services that deliver channels over the Internet. Streaming live TV online is well on its way to replace cable TV and satellite TV.

Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM and Sling TV carry local FOX stations in a number of markets.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM, previously known as AT&T TV, includes local FOX channels in its basic package. The service offers a 5-day free trial for new subscribers. The Entertainment package, at $79.99 per month, features over 75 channels including ESPN, HGTV, and unlimited home screen streaming.

The Choice package, priced at $99.99/month, adds 40 regional sports networks. The Ultimate package, at $119.99/month, and Premier package, at $164.99/month, expand the channel lineup further, including premium channels like Max and Showtime. DIRECTV STREAM is compatible with Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV, and mobile devices, with no long-term commitments required.

DIRECTV STREAM is ideal for avid sports fans, offering ESPN and regional sports networks. Compared to Fubo, it provides a broader range of entertainment channels, making it a well-rounded choice. 

Fubo

Fubo, formerly fuboTV, offers local FOX channels across all plans. The Pro plan, starting at $74.99/month plus regional sports fees, includes 182 channels like ESPN, NBA TV, and key sports networks.

The Elite plan, at $84.99/month, and Ultimate plan, at $99.99/month, add more sports, news, and entertainment channels. Fubo also provides 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR and supports streaming on up to 10 screens. The service is available on Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and smartphones.

Fubo stands out for sports aficionados, featuring NBA TV and key sports networks. While it’s similar to DIRECTV STREAM in sports content, its higher cost may be a factor for some subscribers.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV, at $76.99/month, offers over 90 channels including local FOX, ESPN, and regional sports networks. The subscription includes unlimited Cloud DVR and access to ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu’s on-demand library.

Hulu + Live TV is ideal for those seeking a mix of live and on-demand content, especially for live sports and family entertainment. Hulu’s standalone on-demand service is also available for $7.99/month, with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.

Hulu + Live TV caters well to families seeking a mix of live TV and on-demand content including Disney+ and ESPN+. It offers more variety than the basic Hulu plan, especially for those interested in live sports and family entertainment.

Sling TV

Sling TV’s Blue package, available in 18 U.S. markets, includes over 40 channels such as local FOX, CNN, NFL Network, and TNT, starting at $40/month. 

Sling Blue subscribers can stream on three screens simultaneously and receive 50 hours of free Cloud DVR.

Combining Sling Blue with the Orange plan for $55/month adds channels like ESPN. Sling TV, compatible with Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV, offers flexibility with no contracts or hidden fees.

Sling TV is a budget-friendly option for those who prioritize major networks like FOX and CNN. It’s less comprehensive in sports coverage compared to YouTube TV, making it suitable for general entertainment seekers.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV provides 128 channels, including local FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS stations, for $72.99/month. The service features an extensive channel lineup with ESPN, Comedy Central, FOX News, and CNN, along with unlimited Cloud DVR.

YouTube TV supports streaming on three screens at once and is accessible via Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast apps.

YouTube TV serves well for users desiring a wide array of channels including CNN and Telemundo. Its expansive channel lineup provides more options than Sling TV, albeit at a higher price point.

What’s the best way to watch “The Simpsons”?

For fans of “The Simpsons,” the choice between Hulu and Disney+ depends largely on what aspects of the show you’re most interested in. 

Disney+ is the ultimate destination for binge-watchers and enthusiasts of the series, offering the full library of “The Simpsons” from Season 1 through Season 34. 

Priced at $7.99 per month, Disney+ not only gives you access to the entire back catalog of this iconic series but also includes a wealth of other content from the Marvel Universe, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic. It’s an ideal choice for those who want to explore the series’ extensive history or revisit classic episodes.

Hulu, also at $7.99 per month, is the go-to option for keeping up with the latest season. Currently, it offers on-demand streaming of Season 35, making it perfect for those who want to stay up-to-date with the newest episodes.  Hulu’s extensive library of TV shows and movies, including originals, makes it a comprehensive choice for broader entertainment needs.

Given that Season 35 has concluded, a live TV plan might not be necessary for now, unless you’re aiming to catch new episodes airing on FOX for future seasons. Live TV streaming services, such as Fubo or Hulu + Live TV, tend to be more expensive, but they become relevant if you prefer watching episodes live or if you enjoy other live TV content beyond “The Simpsons.”

For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.

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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