How to Watch BBC America Without Cable

I have tried out all six live TV options for watching BBC America, so you can make an informed choice for watching the network without a cable subscription.

BBC America
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BBC America is a channel you don’t have to miss if you’re cutting the cord from cable TV. The network offers popular U.K. shows such as ‘Planet Earth III,’ ‘The Graham Norton Show,’ ‘Orphan Black: Echoes,’ ‘Attenborough: Behind the Lens,’ and ‘The Walking Dead: Origins.’

I have tried out all six live TV options for watching BBC America, so you can make an informed choice for watching the network without a cable subscription.

Hulu Live TV and Fubo currently does not carry BBC America. You can start watching BBC America live without cable in a few easy steps. The only requirements are an Internet connection and a streaming service that carries live TV channels.

How to Watch Watch BBC America

Live TV streaming services have emerged as a popular choice for cord-cutters who want to watch BBC America without a cable provider.

These streaming services are accessible across a wide range of devices, including Smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV, as well as mobile devices such as tablets, iPads, and iPhones. The appeal lies in their ability to cater to the varied preferences and lifestyles of viewers.

One notable feature of these streaming services is their comprehensive channel lineups, encompassing popular networks like BBC America – known for shows like ‘The Graham Norton Show’ – and other sought-after channels such as HGTV, Science Channel, and TLC.

These streaming services work on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and iPhones and smartphones.

BBC America is currently available through AMC+, DIRECTV STREAM, fubo, Philo, Sling TV, NOW TV, and YouTube TV.

AMC+

  • Early Access to New Shows
  • Comprehensive On-Demand Library
  • Curated Live TV Channels
PLANPRICECHANNELS
AMC+$8.99/month6
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.

AMC+ is a streaming service that carries a live stream of BBC America and five other TV channels.

AMC, AMC+, BBC America, The Walking Dead Channel, IFC, and Sundance TV make up the live TV lineup. The on-demand library includes two other streaming services, Sundance Now, and the horror-themed Shudder. 

You will be able to watch classics such as Mad Men, and every episode of new shows like the excellent Dark Winds and The Walking Dead: Dead City.

A subscription costs $8.99 per month. I subscribed to AMC+ through Amazon Prime, and later on, paid for an annual subscription directly through AMC+.

You can read my comprehensive review of AMC+ that I wrote after signing up for an annual membership.

AMC+ is an excellent choice for fans of iconic series such as ‘The Walking Dead’ and exclusive on-demand libraries. Compared to Philo, it offers unique original series but lacks the wider channel lineup of cable TV networks.

You can sign up for AMC+ either directly on their website or through Sling TV, Amazon Prime Channels, Apple TV Channels and The Roku Channel.

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.

Philo offers 72 TV channels for $25 per month, making it the cheapest way to watch BBC America as a live TV channel. 

Philo has one plan that includes A&E, AMC, Discovery, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, History, MTV, and Paramount Network.

New customers can get a 7-day free trial. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR, and a large library of on-demand content from TV networks.

You can use Philo on Smart TVs, 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 widespread support for mobile devices including iPhones and iPads (with current iOS), and Android smartphones.

Subscribers can activate dozens of TV Everywhere apps using your Philo account. Philo stands out for budget-conscious viewers who enjoy a mix of entertainment and lifestyle channels, including BBC America, at a cost-effective price. While it’s the most affordable, it doesn’t cater to sports fans as DIRECTV STREAM does.

You can try out Philo free for a week by signing up in under a minute using your smartphone number.

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

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has BBC America in its Ultimate and Premier channel bundles.

You can sign up for a free 5-day trial on any plan.

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including local channels, ESPN, HGTV, A&E, CNN, Nickelodeon, USA Network and local channels such as NBC, CBS and FOX. The Ultimate package is $119.99 per month. 

The Premier Package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime. A subscription to Premier is $164.99 per month.

You get unlimited Cloud DVR and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.

The Choice package is best for sports fans because it has 40 regional sports channels, including Bally Sports networks, NBC Sports and Marquee Sports Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels for $99.99 per month. 

Subscribers can get three months of Max, Showtime, STARZ, Cinemax and MGM+ (formerly EPIX) for free before the monthly rates kick in.

There are no contracts. You can subscribe month to month and cancel whenever you want. DIRECTV STREAM is ideal for avid sports fans and those who don’t want to miss local channels, offering extensive regional sports coverage. It’s a more comprehensive, albeit pricier, alternative to Sling TV’s more focused channel bundles.

DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Smart TVs running on Android TV and Google TV.

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.

Sling TV live streams BBC America on both the Orange channel bundle, and Blue channel bundle. Either way, you’re paying $40 per month. It’s just a matter of what else you want for channels besides BBC America.

Sling Orange has 32 channels, including A&E, Cartoon Network, CNN, ESPN, ESPN2, HGTV, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, History, and TNT.

Sling Blue has 41 channels, including FOX, regional sports networks, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, Lifetime, and TBS. If you get Sling Orange and Sling Blue for a bigger channel lineup, it costs $55 per month.

Sling TV includes 50 hours of Cloud DVR.

It has apps for Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Fire Stick and PCs. You can also watch BBC America live on the go using your Sling TV app on your iPhone or Android smartphone. Sling TV offers a tailored experience for those balancing cost with a diverse channel lineup, including options for sports and entertainment. It provides more flexibility in channel selection compared to the more comprehensive but costlier YouTube TV.

You can easily cancel online if you don’t want to keep the service.

NOW TV

  • for Xfinity internet subscribers
  • Includes Peacock Premium
  • Affordable package
PLANPRICECHANNELS
NOW TV$20/month40+ live TV channels
Device support: Xfinity Stream app on Xfinity Flex, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, and Xumo TV.

NOW TV is a live TV streaming service by Xfinity that can be packaged with an internet plan. BBC America is part of the 40 live TV channels that come with the service.

NOW TV also has A&E, AMC, Discovery Channel, Great American Family, Hallmark Channel, HGTV and The Weather Channel.

NOW TV costs $20 per month. Subscribers get Peacock Premium and a Flex 4K streaming TV box at no extra cost. Customers can sign up and cancel their service anytime through their online Xfinity account.

NOW TV is available on the Xfinity Stream app on Xfinity Flex, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, iOS and Android devices. The service is supported by Apple AirPlay as well.

NOW TV serves Xfinity internet users well, bundling internet and streaming with a focus on popular networks like BBC America. It’s a niche choice compared to the broader access of YouTube TV but offers unique perks like the Peacock Premium and the FLEX 4K box.

You can look over internet plans and pricing for more information. 

YouTube TV

  • Free trial
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Three simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
YouTube TV$72.99/month128
Device support: Android TV, Google TV, Smart TVs by Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Hisense, Sharp and Sony; Chromecast, Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation and Google Nest Hub; Android and iOS devices.

YouTube TV has 128 channels, including BBC America, Discovery, HGTV, and NBA TV.

The base plan costs $72.99 per month, and has a variety of cable TV networks covering sports, news and entertainment channels.

The YouTube TV base plan carries other key sports channels for fans such as ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, ACC Network, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and MLB Network. YouTube TV carries regional NBC Sports networks across the U.S., but is missing others such as Bally Sports and YES Network.

Unlimited Cloud DVR is included with a subscription. And you can create up to 6 profiles for a household per account.

YouTube TV is a top pick for those seeking a wide array of channels, including extensive sports coverage, though it’s pricier than Philo. It’s less sports-centric than DIRECTV STREAM but offers a more comprehensive lineup than Sling TV.

The service works with Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, NVIDIA Shield TV, and Apple TV. You can get a free trial and look over the latest promotion YouTube TV is offering.

What’s the best way to watch BBC America without cable?

After trying out all of these options, Philo emerges as a compelling pick for those prioritizing affordability and a broad channel selection, including BBC America. However, it may not be suitable for sports enthusiasts. Alternatively, Sling TV presents a balanced choice with its flexible packages, offering a good mix of entertainment, including sports channels, at a moderate price point. Sling TV is ideal for those who want diversity in their channel lineup without the higher costs associated with DIRECTV STREAM.

STREAMING SERVICEPROSCONS
AMC+Exclusive content, lower costLimited channel variety
PhiloMost affordable, large channel selectionLacks sports and local channels
DIRECTV STREAMComprehensive channel lineup, includes sports and local channelsHigher cost
Sling TVFlexible packages, good balance of entertainment and sportsAdditional cost for larger channel lineup
NOW TVIncludes internet plan, affordableLimited channel variety, mainly Xfinity customers
YouTube TVExtensive channel lineup, unlimited DVRHigher cost, missing some regional sports networks
  • Philo is the best choice to stream BBC America without cable. For $25 per month, you get 64 channels and unlimited Cloud DVR. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial in less than a minute, and simply cancel online if you don’t like the service. Philo has apps for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and iPhones. You can also watch on a PC or Mac using a web browser.
  • Sling TV is a good runner-up choice because for $40 per month, you can get a wider variety of channels for sports and news. You can subscribe to the Sling Orange bundle or Sling Blue channels. Either way, it’s $40 per month. You can get both Orange and Blue channels for $55 per month. Sling TV works on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV and just about every PC or smartphone out there.

Note: This article was published on March 15, 2021, and has been updated to reflect new pricing.

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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