15 Ways to Watch Great American Family channel Without Cable

My top pick for streaming GAC Family is Frndly TV because it’s more budget-friendly than Sling TV or Philo. But there are 15 plans across the six streaming services that carry this family-friendly network, so you have a lot of choices in 2024.

Great American Family channel
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You can watch the Great American Family channel without cable on six live TV streaming services. 

DIRECTV STREAM, Frndly TV, Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Philo, and Sling TV all stream the Great American Family channel live without cable. With years of hands-on experience in the world of cord-cutting and digital streaming, I’m here to guide you through the diverse options for watching Great American Family channel without cable.

My top pick for streaming GAC Family is Frndly TV because it’s more budget-friendly than Sling TV or Philo. You won’t find Great American Family on some popular streaming options such as YouTube TV.

But there are 15 plans across the six streaming services that carry this family-friendly network, so you have a lot of choices in 2024. My insights are based on thorough research and personal testing of all the streaming platforms covered here, ensuring you get practical and trustworthy advice tailored to your viewing preferences.

Great American Family (GAC Family) has been a premium cable network since 1995 with hits such as “When Hope Calls”. Similar to Hallmark Channel, the Great American Family network has holiday programming, including “Great American Christmas in July.” 

The network isn’t just aiming to pump out feel-good Christmas movies like the Hallmark Channel. GAC Family is a family-friendly channel with original series and movies. 

That said, fans of Hallmark Channel will notice a number of actors from that network, who are now involved with projects for Great American Media. They include Danica McKellar, Debbie Matenopoulos, Cameron Mathison and Candace Cameron Bure.

Here are all the best ways to stream Great American Family on various devices, from Smart TVs to Google Chromecast, without needing a traditional cable subscription.

How to Watch Great American Family on TV

Thanks to this new era of streaming and cord cutting, there are a number of ways you can use a Smart TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast to watch TV.

You don’t need Comcast, Spectrum, Cox, or another pricey cable subscription to start watching GAC Family. Premium cable channels aren’t exclusive to cable or satellite TV companies anymore.

There are 15 plans that carry Great American Family within the six live TV streaming services. 

If you’re a fan of GAC Family, you may want a live TV streaming service that carries other networks such as Discovery, Hallmark Channel, History, Lifetime, HGTV, and Paramount Network.

Some of these streaming services offer local channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. But you should expect to pay more if you want them in your channel lineup. 

DIRECTV STREAM, frndly, fubo, and Philo are currently the four streaming services with Great American Family that offer a free trial. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to be billed for your live TV plan. 

Watch Great American Family on 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 offers a variety of Great American Family streaming options across four of its channel bundles, ensuring you don’t miss out on your favorite family-friendly programming. 

This live TV service is ideal for families and sports enthusiasts who don’t mind a higher price for a comprehensive channel lineup, including local and regional sports networks.

The Entertainment package has more than 75 live TV channels for $79.99 per month. Subscribers can watch TV on unlimited screens within your home.

HGTV, History, Nickelodeon, ESPN, USA Network and local channels such as NBC and FOX are included in the Entertainment plan. You get unlimited Cloud DVR and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.

The Choice package has 40 regional sports channels, including Bally Sports networks, NBC Sports and Marquee Sports Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels for $108.99 per month. 

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including local channels, and more sports and entertainment channels. The Ultimate package is $119.99 per month. 

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

Subscribers can get three months of Max (formerly HBO 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 works on Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV and even iPhones and iPads with current iOS software.

Subscriptions run month to month and so you can cancel whenever you want.

Frndly TV: Your Budget-Friendly Gateway to Great American Family Streaming

  • Free 7-day trial
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR (Classic & Premium)
  • Simultaneous Streams: 1 to 3 
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.

As the most cost-effective choice, Frndly TV stands out when you want to watch Great American Family without cable, offering an affordable path to your preferred family entertainment.

The service has 50 live TV channels, including all three Hallmark channels, INSP, Lifetime, Great American Living, and MeTV. It’s perfect for viewers looking for an affordable, family-oriented selection of channels, including all three Hallmark channels and GAC Family.

Frndly TV has apps for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Smart TVs running on Android TV. You can watch Great American Family on a PC or smartphone using a Frndly TV subscription.

Frndly offers three ways to watch Great American Family.

The Basic plan costs $7.99 per month. It’s the cheapest way to watch the Great American Family channel live. Subscribers get Standard Definition (SD) picture quality, and can stream live TV on one screen at a time. 

For HD picture quality, you can subscribe to the Classic plan for $9.99 per month.

Subscribers to the Classic plan get unlimited Cloud DVR for recordings. You can watch live TV on two screens at once. Subscribers can keep recordings for three months.

The Premium plan costs $11.99 per month. Subscribers can watch live TV on up to four screens at once. You can keep recordings for 9 months. There are no contracts and you can easily cancel online.

Fubo: Sports, Shows, and Great American Family 

  • Free trial
  • 1,000 hours Cloud DVR
  • 10 simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Pro$79.99/month182
Elite $89.99/month248
Premier$99.99/month257 & Showtime
Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox One, along with Smart TVs by Hisense, Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast TV. Android, iPhones and iPads with current iOS.

Fubo, known for its wide-ranging channel selection, includes Great American Family channel streaming in all its packages, catering to diverse entertainment needs.

Fubo offers three plans with the Great American Family network. Pro, Elite and Premium.

The Pro channel package has 189 channels, including local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in most areas of the U.S. Food network, HGTV, Big Ten Network and Comedy Central are part of the Pro bundle.

Subscribers get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR storage. You can watch live TV on 10 screens at once.

A subscription costs $79.99 per month. A regional sports fee is included, and costs between $11.99 to $14.99 per month.

The Elite plan is $89.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Premier plan has 231 channels, including Showtime, for $99.99 per month.

Fubo has a library of on-demand content, including movies and TV shows. Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and Smart TVs all carry the Fubo app. Fubo can be a great choice for those who value a wide array of channels, including sports and entertainment, and are willing to invest in a more premium streaming experience.

Fubo has mobile apps for iPhone and Android so you can watch GAC live on your smartphone. Subscribers can watch live TV through their web browser.

Hulu + Live TV: A World of Entertainment with Great American Family

  • Sign up & get Disney+ and ESPN+ included
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR (9 mos.)
  • Two simultaneous streams
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.

With Hulu + Live TV, you can immerse yourself in a vast lineup of entertainment networks with over 90 channels, featuring Great American Family streaming alongside History Channel, HGTV, and more. 

Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 per month and includes unlimited DVR. Hulu has one live TV plan with Great American Family.

You will find local NBC, ABC and FOX stations alongside popular cable networks. And Hulu has a growing number of regional sports channels such as NBC Sports.

Subscribers get more than just live TV channels to watch. You will have full access to ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu’s on-demand library. Hulu Live is suited for viewers who want a blend of live TV and a rich on-demand library, offering popular networks like HGTV and ESPN, along with Hulu’s extensive content.

Philo: Affordable Access to Great American Family & More

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 brings you a rich selection of over 70 TV channels, ensuring that watching Great American Family and other favorites like HGTV and Discovery is always an option.

A subscription costs $25 per month and includes unlimited Cloud DVR. Philo has only one streaming TV package.

You can use Philo on 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, PCs, iOS devices and Android devices.

If you’re using an Amazon Fire TV, you can use your single sign-on feature. By activating one app through Philo, you will automatically be signed into other TV Everywhere apps supported by your subscription. Philo is best for budget-conscious viewers who prioritize a variety of entertainment and lifestyle channels over sports and local news.

You can get a free 7-day-trial of Philo by signing up in under a minute using your smartphone number.

Sling TV: Customize Your Great American Family Viewing Experience

PLANPRICECHANNELS
Orange$40/month32 (No locals)
Blue$40/month40 (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.

Choose Sling TV’s Orange or Blue channel bundles to easily stream Great American Family on any TV screen or streaming device, blending your viewing experience with a variety of other top channels.

With Sling, you’re able to build your own channel package. You can pick either Sling Orange or Sling Blue before deciding whether you want any add-on channel packages.

The Sling Orange plan includes 32 channels, including entertainment networks like AMC, Great American Family and History. A subscription to Sling Orange costs $40 per month. 

The Sling TV Blue plan has 40 channels, including Discovery, NFL Network, FS1, and FS2.  You can combine the Sling Blue with Sling Orange for $55 per month.

All subscribers get 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage. Sling is currently offering half off for the first month of service. 

Sling is recommended for viewers who prefer to customize their channel lineup and seek a balance between affordability and variety, with the flexibility of add-on packages.

Sling TV works on just about any streaming device: Roku, Firestick, Chromecast and Apple TV. Gamers can watch TV on Xbox. The Sling app is supported by Samsung Smart TVs and Smart TVs operating on Android TV or Google TV. Sling TV supports mobile apps for iOS and Android.

How to Watch Great American Family channel FAQs

These are questions readers ask when searching for ways to watch Great American Family without a TV provider.

Is the Great American Family channel on YouTube TV?

No. YouTube TV does not currently carry the Great American Family network. If you want GAC, and a channel lineup similar to YouTube TV, you may want to consider Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, or Fubo.

YouTube TV has 128 channels, including a number of entertainment-based networks. Those networks include CMT, Comedy Central, Hallmark Channel, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Network.

Does Peacock have the Great American Family channel?

No. You cannot stream the Great American Family channel on Peacock. But Peacock did recently add all three Hallmark Channels to its streaming service. You can sign up for a Peacock Premium subscription for $4.99 per month.

How to watch Great American Family channel on Roku

You can watch Great American Family on Roku or Roku TVs by subscribing to DIRECTV STREAM, frndly TV, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Philo, or Sling TV.

Where can I watch the Great American Family channel?

There are seven live TV streaming services that carry the Great American Family channel. You can watch GAC Family through a subscription to DIRECTV STREAM, Frndly TV, Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Philo, and Sling TV.

STREAMING SERVICEPROSCONS
DIRECTV STREAMWide channel variety, unlimited Cloud DVR, free trial, supports multiple devicesHigher price points, complex package options
frndly TVMost affordable, includes all three Hallmark channels, simple plan options, supports major streaming devicesLimited channel variety, SD quality in the basic plan
FuboExtensive channel lineup, large Cloud DVR storage, supports simultaneous streaming on multiple devicesHigher cost, regional sports fee
Hulu Live TVIncludes popular channels like HGTV, CNN, ESPN, unlimited DVR, access to Hulu’s on-demand librarySlightly higher cost, limited package options
PhiloVery affordable, more than 70 channels including GAC Family, unlimited Cloud DVRLacks sports and local channels
Sling TVCustomizable packages, affordable, supports a wide range of devices, promotional first-month discountRequires additional packages for complete channel variety, limited DVR space

Frndly is the cheapest option to watch Great American Family without cable starting at $7.99 per month for SD quality. You can quickly sign up for a free 7-day trial without any obligations. You will get more than 50 live TV channels including History, Hallmark Channel and The Weather Channel.  

Philo has more than 72 TV channels, including AMC, HGTV, GAC Living, all three Hallmark Channels, Paramount Network and Discovery for $25 per month. Subscriptions run month to month and there are no contracts.

Considering affordability and channel variety, Frndly TV stands out as the most budget-friendly option, especially for viewers primarily interested in family-friendly and entertainment channels. However, for a more comprehensive channel lineup, including sports and local channels, DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo are better choices, albeit at a higher price.

For those seeking an affordable, entertainment-focused option, Frndly TV is the recommended choice. For viewers wanting a broader range of channels, including sports and local content, Fubo is a suitable option despite its higher price.

With these options, watching Great American Family has never been easier. Choose the streaming service that best fits your preferences and start enjoying your favorite shows today.

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.