MTV is a cable TV channel that you can watch on seven live TV streaming services.
You can watch MTV without cable on:
There are four other ways to watch MTV through the MTV app, the MTV website, Paramount+, and for free on Pluto TV. Over the years, MTV has become known for the annual MTV Video Music Awards, and reality-TV shows such as “Jersey Shore” and “Catfish.”
This article explains ways to watch MTV on a Smart TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV or Google Chromecast with Google TV.
How to Watch MTV without cable
Live TV streaming services have become a favorite way for cord-cutters to watch cable TV channels such as AMC, ESPN and local channels such as NBC.
To get started, you just need a screen and an Internet connection. Pick a streaming service, sign up for a free trial, and download the app to a Smart TV, Roku, Amazon Firestick, Google Chromecast or Apple TV.
You can use a smartphone, web browser, iPad or tablet with these services. Subscribers can cancel any streaming service online. Some cord-cutters even jump from platform to platform throughout the year just to catch certain shows.
Here’s a quick look at each of these services.
Philo
Philo is the cheapest way to watch four MTV channels, MTV, MTV2, MTV Classic and MTV Live, without cable. A subscription costs $25 per month.
Subscribers get more than 64 entertainment channels, unlimited hours of Cloud DVR storage in the cloud, and a huge-on demand library.
Philo has a wide variety of channels including A&E, BBC America, Comedy Central, History, and Nickelodeon.
Subscribers get three simultaneous streams. All you need is an Internet connection, Smart TV or a TV with a connected streaming device to start watching. I began subscribing to Philo in December 2017 after I decided to dump PlayStation Vue due to a price increase.
By focusing on entertainment channels, Philo keeps its prices low.
Philo has a free 7-day trial that you can sign up for in less than a minute by using your mobile number.
Sling TV
Sling TV is another affordable way to watch MTV without cable.
At $46 per month, subscribers get MTV and MTV2 as part of the channel lineup. But you need to make a decision when you sign up for a free trial.
Subscribers need to pick a main channel bundle — either the Sling Orange or Sling Blue package. Sling Orange has 34 channels, including A&E and ESPN. Sling Blue has 45+ channels and carries NFL Network and HGTV.
Once you get that worked out, you need to add the Comedy Extra add-on bundle, which includes MTV and MTV2.
The Comedy Extra bundle also has truTV, Paramount Network, MTV2, CMT, Logo, Revolt, GSN and TV Land.
The Orange or Blue package costs $40 per month. Adding Comedy Extra costs another $6 per month. Sling includes 50 hours of Cloud DVR, and you can add up to 200 hours for another $5 per month.
Sling TV works on most major streaming devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Google Chromecast, LG and Samsung Smart TVs and XBox One.
There are mobile apps for Android and iPhones. You can look over the channel lineups for Sling Orange or Blue.
When you sign up for Sling TV, there are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV. You can check the latest offer Sling TV is making to new and returning customers.
If you prepay for two months, Sling TV will give you a free streaming device.
fubo tv
Fubo TV aims to be a full-on cable TV replacement without leaving you with a triple-digit bill every month.
The Pro bundle has more than 152 channels, including MTV, A&E and HGTV for $74.99 per month.
There are local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations. Hallmark Channel, Discovery, ACC Network, NFL Network, ESPN, and NBA TV are included in the channel lineup.
Subscribers get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR. You can watch live TV on three screens at once. Fubo has a robust library of on-demand movies and TV shows.
You can use your subscription to activate more than 40 apps on your streaming device or computer. So you can unlock extra live streams and on-demand libraries that you won’t find within your fuboTV subscription.
fuboTV is the only live TV streaming service that offers select sporting and entertainment events in 4K.
You can look over the channel lineup or sign up for a free 7-day trial. There are no contracts or obligations so you can easily cancel online if you don’t want to keep the service.
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV Now) has MTV and MTV2 in its Entertainment bundle, which costs $74.99 per month.
Subscribers get over 75 channels, unlimited Cloud DVR storage and 40,000 on-demand shows.
You can get three months of HBO Max, STARZ, Cinemax, Showtime and EPIX for free before the regular rate kicks in.
You’ll be able to stream MTV live on a Roku, Apple TV or Fire TV at home, and a smartphone if you’re not at home.
You can look over the different channel lineups before deciding whether to sign up. DIRECTV STREAM has a free 5-day trial.
Vidgo
Vidgo carries local MTV, MTV Classic and MTV2. The English Plus bundle has more than 110 live TV channels.
A&E, ESPN, History channel and Science Channel are among some of Vidgo’s most popular channels.
Subscribers can stream on up to three devices at once. Vidgo has apps on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Android TV devices such as Google Chromecast.
A Vidgo subscription costs $59.95 per month. You can look over the channel lineup before deciding whether to sign up.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV has MTV as part of the live TV package of over 85 channels.
Aside from popular cable TV channels such as ESPN and CNN, subscribers also get local ABC, CBS and NBC stations.
Unlimited Cloud DVR is included. A subscription costs $64.99 per month. YouTube TV works on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast and other Android TV devices.
YouTube TV has a free trial that lasts a week.
Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV has more than 75 live TV channels, including MTV, ESPN and HGTV.
A subscription costs $69.99 per month and includes full access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu’s on-demand streaming library. Subscribers get unlimited DVR storage.
Hulu with Live TV supports Smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV and Fire Stick, XBox One, Xbox Series X consoles, and iOS and Android devices.
You can watch up to two streams simultaneously. Look over the channel lineup for Hulu with Live TV before deciding whether you want to sign up.
Watch MTV full episodes on Paramount+
Paramount+ now carries a number of popular MTV shows under its MTV hub. The streaming service is an affordable way to watch full episodes of “Teen Mom OG” (8 seasons), “Siesta Key” (3 seasons) and “Ridiculousness” (10 seasons).
You will also find full episodes of “Ghosted: Love Gone Missing” (2 seasons), “Jersey Shore” (6 seasons), and “Jersey Shore Family Vacation” on Paramount+.
The Essential plan costs $4.99 per month, and does include ads. The on-demand content is from Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, CBS, MTV, BET and Smithsonian Channel.
You will not be able to watch any MTV cable channels live, but you can watch a number of live sporting events.
NFL games on CBS, UEFA, Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League are available to Essential plan subscribers.
Paramount+ is ideal for people who want to watch full episodes of recent MTV shows or older ones such as “The Hills: New Beginnings” or “Awkward.”
The Premium Plan cost $9.99 per month. It is the ad-free side of the platform. You can start off with either the Essential or Premium plan with a 7-day free trial.
Stream MTV shows free on Pluto TV
Pluto TV, the free, ad-supported streaming service, has a number of MTV-themed channels that carry popular MTV shows. The service currently carries 7 channels.
- MTV Jersey Shore (Channel 865)
- MTV on Pluto (Channel 870)
- MTV Dating (Channel 875)
- Yo! MTV (Channel 2520)
- MTV Spankin’ New (Channel 2550)
- MTV Biggest Pop Hits (Channel 2555)
- MTV Block Party (Channel 2560)
Pluto is available on a number of Smart TVs, and most popular streaming devices including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Chromecast.
MTV website and MTV App
Two other ways to watch MTV in real time is through the MTV app and MTV website. You can use your subscription credentials to Philo, YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Vidgo and Hulu Live TV to activate the MTV app or MTV website.
The website and app has exclusive content and bonus clips that you won’t find on the cable TV channels.
How to Watch MTV Without Cable FAQ
Here are questions readers often ask while searching for ways to stream MTV without a cable TV provider.
How can I watch MTV for free?
You can sign up for a free trial with a live TV streaming service. DIRECTV STREAM, Philo, fuboTV, and YouTube TV all carry MTV and offer free trials. But plans and pricing does vary among these live TV services. You can also check out free MTV shows on Pluto TV.
What streaming service has MTV Live?
Philo has MTV Live, MTV, MTV2, and MTV Classic in its channel lineup. Subscribers get 64 channels, unlimited DVR and can watch live TV on three screens at once.
How can I watch the MTV app without a TV provider?
The MTV app does allow you to watch some episodes of popular MTV shows without a cable TV provider.
For example, you can watch the first episode of “Siesta Key: Miami Moves” and “Love at First Lie” without needing a TV provider.
But if you want full seasons of shows on MTV, you need either a cable subscription or a live TV service. DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Philo, Vidgo and YouTube TV all carry MTV in their channel lineups. Most of these services offer a free trial.
How can I watch MTV on my Smart TV?
You can watch MTV on your Smart TV through a live TV streaming service.
Philo, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, fuboTV, YouTube TV and Sling TV all support Smart TVs that run on Android TV or Google TV software.
Some models of LG and Samsung Smart TVs are also supported by these services. Always check the app store to your Smart TV before signing up for a live TV service.
How to watch MTV on Xbox.
You can watch MTV on Xbox game consoles such as Xbox One and Xbox Series X through fubo TV, Hulu Live, Sling TV and YouTube TV.
What’s the best way to watch MTV without cable?
Philo is currently the best deal because it has more than 64 channels including MTV, MTV2, MTV Live and MTV Classic. A subscription costs $25 per month, and includes unlimited Cloud DVR.
You can watch live TV through Philo’s app on Roku, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and Android TV devices like the new Google Chromecast. There are no contracts or hidden fees. You can cancel online whenever you want.
You can look over the channel lineup or sign up for a free 7-day trial.
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.
This article was first published October 30, 2020 and has been updated.
Founder and Editor of The Cord Cutting Report. Before launching the site in 2016, he worked for more than two decades as a staff writer or correspondent for a number of daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. His enthusiasm for tech began with the Atari 2600. Follow @james_kimble
