How to Watch Start TV Without Cable

Start TV, renowned for its empowering showcase of women-led dramas, is an over-the-air broadcast channel accessible to most viewers with a digital TV antenna. 

This channel curates an array of classic television series from the 1980s to the 2000s, each featuring strong female protagonists at the helm. The networks currently air “The Closer,” “Rizzoli & Isles,” “Medium,” “Crossing Jordan,” “Cold Case” and “Major Crimes.”

I’ve been an avid viewer of over-the-air (OTA) channels for years. Start TV offers a diverse range of genres, from legal dramas to supernatural thrillers, all unified by their focus on female leads.

I highly recommend an antenna for watching Start TV. I have subscribed to various streaming options over the years that include Start TV. I am comparing their prices, plans and value for your money to help you find the best way to watch Start TV without a cable subscription.

How to Watch Start TV for free: TV antenna

When you use a TV antenna, you will be able to get more than just Start TV. You can potentially get popular broadcast networks, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS in HD resolution. 

You may even get sub-channels such as Start TV’s sibling networks, including MeTV, MeTV+, Catchy Comedy, Heroes & Icons, Story Television, and Movies! Other sub-channels include GRIT, Laff, COMET, and CW.

Since Start TV is a sub-channel, you should expect picture resolution to be less than HD. In my broadcast market, Start TV is in 480p picture resolution. Here are a few guides to help you get started with using a TV antenna to watch Start TV.

• Understanding UHF, VHF, and OTA Picture Resolution: Delve into the technical aspects of TV antennas, enhancing your understanding and viewing experience of Start TV.
• Setting Up Your TV Antenna: Follow this straightforward guide to set up your TV antenna and start watching Start TV.
• Optimizing Antenna Placement: Tips for placing your antenna to ensure the best reception of Start TV.

What Streaming Service has Start TV?

While Start TV is not available on streaming giants like DIRECTV STREAM or Fubo, there are several other options for streaming the channel. 

The two standout choices are Philo and Frndly TV. Philo, priced at $25 per month, offers a broad selection of over 70 TV channels, including Start TV, HGTV, and Paramount Network. Its unlimited Cloud DVR and compatibility with a wide range of devices make it a versatile choice. However, its higher price point might be a concern for budget-conscious viewers.

Frndly TV, on the other hand, emerges as the most affordable option, especially for viewers prioritizing cost over channel variety. 

Its Classic plan at $9.99 per month with more than 50 channels, including A&E and History, alongside Start TV, presents significant value. The provision of unlimited Cloud DVR and the ability to watch on two screens simultaneously enhances its appeal. The absence of major networks like Discovery might be a downside for some viewers.

Service	Pros	Cons
Frndly TV	Most affordable, Cloud DVR, 50+ channels	Lacks locals and major networks like Discovery
Philo	70+ channels, unlimited Cloud DVR, single package	No locals or sports networks
Sling TV	Sports channels available, 50 hours DVR	Limited simultaneous streams
Hulu Live TV	Extensive local channels, includes ESPN+ and Disney+	Higher priced plan
YouTube TV	128 channels, unlimited Cloud DVR, 3 screens streaming	Higher priced plan

Frndly TV is the cheapest and most affordable option for watching Start TV without cable TV. 

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

Frndly TV has more than 50 live TV channels, including A&E, History, and The Weather Channel. Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama are also included.

The streaming service has apps for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Smart TVs running on Android TV. 

You can also watch Start TV on a PC or smartphone using a Frndly TV subscription. Subscribers to the Classic plan also get unlimited Cloud DVR for recordings. You can watch live TV on two screens at once. And you can keep recordings for three months. 

The Premium plan costs $11.99 per month. Premium plan subscribers can watch live TV on up to four screens at once. You can keep recordings for 9 months. The Basic plan also offers live TV channels in Standard Definition for $7.99 per month.

I subscribed to Frndly for more than a year. 

Ideal for budget-conscious viewers, Frndly TV offers an economical way to access Start TV along with family-friendly channels like the Hallmark Channel, making it a great choice for households seeking wholesome entertainment. Compared to Philo, it lacks a comprehensive channel lineup but excels in affordability.

You can sign up for a free 7-day trial with any plan. There are no contracts and you can easily cancel online.

Philo offers more than 70 TV channels including Start TV, HGTV, CMT, and Paramount Network.

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. 

I was a Philo subscriber for more than three years before moving on to other live TV options. 

It’s a great budget-friendly live TV service. Philo includes Start TV among its 70+ channels, offering a balanced mix of entertainment and lifestyle content. While it doesn’t have the sports channels that Sling TV offers, its comprehensive package and unlimited DVR make it a strong contender.

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

Sling TV carries Start TV as part of an add-on channel bundle. 

You can subscribe to the Sling Orange plan with the Hollywood Extra bundle to get Start TV. Sling Orange has AMC, ESPN, BET and Food Network for $40 per month. Heartland Extra costs $6 per month.

The Hollywood Extra bundle has REELZ, Heroes & Icons, Grit, HDNet Movies, Sundance TV, TCM and Bounce.

Subscribers get 50 hours of Cloud DVR. Sling Orange subscribers can watch TV on one screen at a time. Sling Blue has 41 channels, including NFL Network, TNT and TBS.

Sling TV has apps on LG and Samsung Smart TVs. You can also watch Sling TV with a Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. You can also watch live TV on an iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and smartphones.

Sling TV caters well to sports enthusiasts with its inclusion of ESPN in the Sling Orange plan, alongside Start TV in the Hollywood Extra bundle. While it’s less affordable than Frndly TV, it’s a great option for those wanting a mix of sports and entertainment.

When you sign up for Sling TV, there are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV.  

Hulu Live TV has over 75 channels including Start TV, HGTV, CNN, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN News.

Hulu has one live TV plan.

You will find more local NBC, ABC and FOX stations than any other live TV streaming service. And Hulu has a growing number of regional sports channels such as NBC Sports.

Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 per month and includes unlimited DVR. 

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 TV is for subscribers seeking a wide array of TV channels with a vast streaming library. It’s pricier compared to YouTube TV, but the inclusion of ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu’s on-demand library adds significant value. 

YouTube TV has 128 channels such as ESPN, Oxygen Network, USA Network, CNN, and Start TV.

A subscription costs $72.99 per month for the base plan. Subscribers get local ABC, FOX, NBC and PBS stations.

You can watch TV or on-demand content on up to three screens at once. You can add on premium channels such as Max (formerly HBO Max) to the base plan. Customers get unlimited Cloud DVR and an on-demand library.

YouTube TV is a robust choice for those seeking a comprehensive channel selection including Start TV, offering 128 channels with a strong emphasis on news and sports. While more expensive than Philo, its unlimited DVR and multi-device streaming capability are notable advantages.

There are YouTube TV apps for Roku, Apple TV and a mobile app for Chromecast. You can stream on up to two devices at once.

How to Watch Start TV Without Cable FAQs

Is Start TV on any streaming channels? 

Yes, Start TV is available on several streaming channels, including Frndly TV, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV and Philo. These services offer Start TV as part of their channel lineups, providing a convenient way to stream it without a cable subscription.

Can I get Start TV with Roku? 

Absolutely. You can stream Start TV on Roku devices through live TV streaming services like Frndly TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV and Philo. These TV services offer dedicated apps for Roku, allowing easy access to Start TV.

Is Start TV an app?

Start TV itself does not have a standalone app. However, you can watch Start TV through apps of streaming services that include it in their channel lineup, like Frndly TV and Philo.

Can I get Start TV on Firestick? 

Yes, you can watch Start TV on Firestick through streaming services like Philo and Frndly TV. These services have compatible apps available on Firestick, enabling you to access Start TV.

What is Start TV channel? 

Start TV is a broadcast channel known for showcasing empowering women-led dramas. It features a collection of classic television series with strong female protagonists, spanning from the 1980s to the 2000s.

What app can I watch Start TV on? 

You can watch Start TV through apps of streaming services such as Philo and Frndly TV. These apps are available on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.

Can you watch Start TV on Firestick? 

Yes, you can watch Start TV on Firestick. Services like Philo and Frndly TV, which include Start TV in their channel offerings, provide compatible apps for Firestick devices.

Is Start TV a cable channel? 

Start TV is primarily an over-the-air broadcast channel that you can get by using a digital TV antenna. However, it’s also included in the lineups of certain cable packages and live TV streaming services.

Where can I watch Start TV? 

You can watch Start TV using a digital TV antenna or through streaming services like Philo and Frndly TV. These platforms offer Start TV as part of their channel lineup, accessible on various devices.

Does Start TV have an app? 

Start TV does not offer a standalone app. However, you can stream it through the apps of streaming services like Philo and Frndly TV, which include Start TV in their channel lineups.