Watch TLC Live Without Cable

TLC started as “The Learning Channel”; however, with hit shows like 90 Day Fiance, Darcey and Stacey, Sweet Home Sextuplets, and Dr. Pimple Popper, TLC is all-in on the reality TV format. TLC is also widely available through online streaming services, so you don’t even need cable TV to watch. All you need is an internet connection and one of the following streaming services.

Watch TLC Live on Philo

The most affordable streaming service that carries TLC is Philo. Watch TLC along with over 60 other channels for $20/month. That price includes a cloud DVR for recording your favorite shows. You can check out a free trial and see if the service is right for you. If you decide to subscribe after the free trial, Philo doesn’t require a contract, and you can cancel the service at any time.

• Philo is supported on Apple iPhone and iPad, Android phones and tablets, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast.
• Philo keeps its service affordable by packaging more affordable entertainment channels together instead of expensive sports channels. 
• You can use your Philo credentials to sign on to the TLC app and watch some episodes. 

Stream TLC on Hulu Live TV

Hulu provides a few options for watching TLC shows. Quite a few TLC shows are available on-demand by just subscribing to the Hulu streaming library for $5.99 per month. For example, past seasons of 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After are available on demand. However, you will only have access to past seasons of some seasons of certain TLC shows. If you want to watch the new TLC episodes, you will need to watch TLC using Hulu’s Live TV. 

Hulu Live TV offers TLC in their channel lineup for $64.99/month after a 7-day free trial. Hulu Live TV subscribers also have access to Hulu’s on-demand streaming library. 

Hulu Live TV includes the following features:

• The basic package comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage. (Upgrades available)
• Watch on 2 screens at once. (Upgrades available)
• Comes with 6 customizable profiles
• Includes entire Hulu streaming library

There are additional features and add-ons available. See our review of Hulu’s plans for more information.

Stream TLC on Sling

Sling TV’s Blue package provides TLC and over 40 other channels for $35/month.

Sling TV provides a live stream of TLC so you can watch exactly what would be airing on TLC, just as if you had cable. A cloud DVR is included to record shows for later.

Sling TV is available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and more, so it’s not a problem to enjoy TLC on a TV, tablet, computer, or other smart devices. There are more channels than I’ve mentioned available on Sling TV than what I’ve mentioned here. To find out more about what Sling TV has to offer, and more information about Sling TV device compatibility, check out this detailed review of Sling TV.

Sign up for a free trial to Sling TV!

TLC is on Vidgo

Vidgo is a newer streaming service that offers fairly competitive pricing over other live streaming services. Vidgo includes TLC in its Core package and over 60 other channels. New customers can sign up for the Core Plan for $55 per month. (They offer discounted promo pricing for your first three months.)

Vidgo doesn’t force you into a contract, and you can cancel any time. They do offer a 3-day free trial, which you can cancel within the first three days at no charge.

Vidgo is supported on available on Android, iOS, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV. You can also stream the service on up to 3 devices at the same time. We have the full details in our guide to Vidgo’s live streaming service. You can watch TLC on demand by using Vidgo as your TV provider in the TLC app.

Watching TLC on YouTube TV

YouTube TV also offers TLC streaming live, as well as limitless storage space for recording your shows. Your library of recorded shows can be streamed anywhere. YouTubeTV costs $64.99. Youtube TV supports Roku, Android, iOS (includes AirPlay to Apple TV), Chromecasts, and Chromecast-compatible TVs. Check our review of YouTube TV to see if it’s available in your area. You can also access on-demand through the TLC app using your YouTube TV credentials.

Watch TLC on a Streaming Device

Once you subscribe to either Hulu Live TV, Philo, Vidgo, Sling to YouTube TV Now, you can download their app and watch on a supported streaming device. Below are the instructions to do this on Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV.

Watch TLC Live on Roku

To watch TLC on Roku, follow these instructions.

1. Subscribe to a streaming service that carries TLC (Hulu Live TV, Philo, Vidgo, Sling to YouTube TV Now)
2. On your Roku Menu, navigate to “Search” and press “OK” on your remote
3. Enter the name of the streaming service you subscribe to in the search bar
4. Select the streaming service and press “OK.”
5. Select “Add Channel” press “OK” on your remote. If the channel is already installed, “Go To Channel” will be an option.
6. The App is now installed on your Roku. Open the app, and log in with the credentials you used to subscribe to the service. TLC will be a channel available through the apps live TV guide.

Watch TLC Live on Fire TV

To watch TLC on Fire TV, follow these instructions.

1. Subscribe to a streaming service that carries TLC (Hulu Live TV, Philo, Vidgo, Sling to YouTube TV Now)
2. On your Fire TV Home screen, click on the search icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
3. Enter the name of the streaming service you subscribe to in the search bar
4. Select the streaming service and press “OK.”
5. Select “Download,” and the channel will install
6. The App is now installed on your Fire TV. Open the app, and log in with the credentials you used to subscribe to the service. TLC will be a channel available through the apps live TV guide.

Watch TLC Live on Apple TV

To watch TLC on Apple TV, follow these instructions.

1. Subscribe to a streaming service that carries TLC (Hulu Live TV, Philo, Vidgo, Sling to YouTube TV Now)
2. Scroll right to the search icon in the upper-left corner of the screen
3. Enter the name of the streaming service you subscribe to in the search bar
4. Select the streaming service click the cloud icon, and the channel will install
5. The App is now installed on your Apple TV. Open the app, and log in with the credentials you used to subscribe to the service. TLC will be a channel available through the apps live TV guide.

Watch on the TLC app/web site

When someone new to cord-cutting gets their first streaming device, they may try to watch TLC by downloading the TLC app. However, these apps aren’t free. They require login credentials from a TV provider to prove you subscribe to a TV service with TLC in their channel lineup. Your credentials from Hulu Live TV, Philo, Vidgo, and YouTube TV will work if you subscribe to one of those services. You can choose to watch TLC through the channel guide of your live TV service or the TLC app.

Below I explain how to get the TLC app working on Roku, but other streaming devices.

1. Go to the channel store or app store on your device. On Roku, it’s called the “Channel Store.”
2. Search for the TLC app, add it to your device, and then open it. 
3. Your Roku device will then show you an activation code and a URL.
4. Using a computer or mobile web browser, go to https://www.tlc.com/activate
5. You will then be asked for a TV provider and a username/password. (Philo, Hulu live TV, etc.)
6. Once you sign in, your TV screen will refresh. You should now have access to all the video content the TLC app provides.

Some full episodes may be available without logging in, but most content will be locked if you don’t have valid credentials. The app is available on iPhone and Android devices and Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and Amazon FireTV.

For information on watching other TV channels online check out: How To Stream Specific TV Channels

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