You don’t need cable to watch MTV. You can stream the MTV VMAs live and watch hit shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Challenge, and Ridiculousness on MTV as they air or on-demand through the following streaming services:
- Philo: Carries MTV and costs $25 per month after a risk-free 1-week free trial
- DIRECTV STREAM – Carries MTV and offers a risk-free 5-Day Free Trial. costs $79.99 each month after. However, you can cancel at any time and cancel within the free trial and you will not be charged.
- Hulu Live TV: Carries MTV and includes Disney+ and ESPN+ with unlimited DVR storage for $76.99/month. (Sign up)
- fuboTV – Carries MTV and costs $74.99 per month and offers a 1-week free trial
- YouTube TV – Carries MTV and costs $72.99 per month and offers a free trial. They are currently providing a special price of $52.99/mo for your first 3 months.
- Vidgo: Carries MTV and costs $69.99 per month. (Sign up)
- Sling TV: Carries MTV and costs $40 per month, but provides 50% off your first month. You can sign up on Sling's website.
These streaming services allow you to watch MTV on streaming devices, smart devices, and online, just as if you had cable. Read on to discover which of these streaming services is the best for you to watch your favorite shows on MTV.
Where You Can Stream MTV
Philo (1-week free trial) is the cheapest way to watch MTV but lacks local channels, sports, and news. DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV are closer to what one would expect from a cable TV package but are more than double the price of Philo. I cover these services and more in detail below.
Watch MTV on Philo
The most affordable streaming service that carries MTV is Philo. Philo also carries MTV2 and MTV Classic. Watch MTV along with over 60 other channels for $25/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 anytime. Philo also has a great on-demand library that pulls from the channels in its lineup. You can also use your Philo credentials to link a valid TV provider to many channel apps. Below I cover the channels available on Philo and more. For more information, check out our review of Philo.
Price: The service costs $25 per month after a risk-free 1-week free trial.
Supported Devices: Philo is supported on Apple iPhone and iPad, Android phones and tablets, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and more. Philo allows you to stream on up to 3 devices with the same account. See our coverage of Philo Device Support for more details.
Channels: There are over 60 channels in Philo’s channel lineup, including MTV, MTV2, MTV Classic, A&E, AMC, Lifetime, Comedy Central, Discovery, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, TLC, and Nickelodeon.
Why Choose Philo For MTV: Philo is a great choice for MTV. Not only is it the most affordable way to watch, but you get a ton of channels you find on basic cable for just $25 per month. Philo doesn’t carry local channels or cable news and sports, but it’s also less than half the price of most other streaming services. Philo makes for a cable TV alternative for saving money. Especially if you get serious about saving money and use a TV antenna for local channels. Philo starts you out with a 1-week free trial, and if you cancel before the trial expires, you won’t be charged for your first month. If you decide to keep Philo after the trial, you are billed monthly and can cancel anytime.
Watch MTV on Hulu Live TV
Hulu provides a few options for watching MTV shows. A few MTV shows are available on-demand by subscribing to the Hulu streaming library starting at $7.99 per month. However, you will only have access to past seasons of some MTV shows available ondemand. If you want to watch the new episodes of shows on MTV, you will need to watch MTV using Hulu’s Live TV, which costs $76.99 per month. Hulu Live TV includes the ad-supported version of the Hulu Streaming Library. You can upgrade to the ad-free version of Hulu’s streaming library for a cost of $89.99. Before signing up for Hulu Live TV, check out the important information below on Hulu Live TV features from our review of Hulu.
Not only does Hulu Live TV include the Hulu Streaming Library with Hulu Originals like The Patient and Only Murders In The Building, but it also includes a subscription to Disney+ and ESPN+ as well. Hulu Live TV is the only streaming service that includes these two excellent streaming services. Hulu Live TV includes Unlimited cloud DVR storage in both Live TV Plans. Episodes can be stored up to 9 months after recording them, and you can fast-forward through recorded commercials. Hulu’s credentials can also be used to link a valid TV provider to most 3rd party channel apps, including the MTV app. Read on for more details on Hulu.
Price: The service includes Disney+ and ESPN+ with unlimited DVR storage for $76.99/month. (Sign up).
Device Support: Hulu Live TV is supported on Apple iPhone and iPad, Android phones and tablets, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and more. You can watch on two devices at once. However, you can upgrade to unlimited devices for just $9.99 monthly.
Channels: Hulu Live TV provides over 75 channels in Hulu Live TV’s channel lineup, including MTV, A&E, Lifetime, Comedy Central, Discovery, HGTV, TLC, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, TBS, TNT, and USA Network. Hulu Live TV provides local channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, sports channels like ESPN and FS1, and the cable news networks like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC.
Why Choose Hulu Live TV for MTV: Hulu has most of the channels you get with a basic cable package, but Hulu Live TV also includes the Hulu Streaming Library, Disney+, and ESPN+ in its price. This makes Hulu Live TV the best option if you are looking for a cable TV alternative that packs a lot of on-demand choices. Not only are your bases covered on for live TV, but you can watch Hulu originals like Only Murders in the Building, The Handmaid’s Tale, and more. Furthermore, Disney+ provides access to hit shows like Andor, Loki, and a ton of other Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney content. There isn’t a long-term contract. You can pay monthly and cancel any time you like.
Watch MTV on Sling TV
Sling TV is another affordable option for watching MTV. MTV is not in Sling’s base packages. However, you can get MTV through the Orange or the Blue package if you add the “Comedy Extra” add-on package. This base package costs $35 per month, and the Comedy Extra add-on is an additional $6 per month. A Cloud DVR is included. We recommend picking up the Blue channel package for $40/month. While the price for the Orange package is the same, the Blue package has a better channel lineup and lets you watch on 3 devices at once. The orange plan only allows you to watch on one device at a time. All Sling TV plans provide a cloud DVR to record MTV shows and more if you can’t watch when a show airs. Sling TV’s Cloud-based DVR is available on Amazon Fire, Roku, Android, and Apple TV devices. Each Sling TV package comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage, and you can keep recordings as long as you want with no expiration. For $5 more per month, you can increase the storage up to 200 hours. I go into more details on devices and channels below. You can also check out my review of Sling TV for more details.
Sling Price: The service costs $40 per month, but provides 50% off your first month. You can sign up on Sling's website.
Sling Devices: Sling TV is available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and more, so it’s not a problem to watch Sling TV on a TV, tablet, computer, or other smart devices. Sling’s Blue Plan allows you to stream on up to 3 devices at once.
Channels: The channels on Sling TV’s Blue Plan include A&E, AMC, BBC America, Bravo, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery, E!, Fox News, FS1, FX, HGTV, History, Lifetime, MSNBC, National Geographic, NBC, Paramount Network, SYFY, TBS, TNT, truTV, USA Network, and more.
Why Use Sling for MTV: Sling TV is a value somewhere between Philo and your more complete streaming services like DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV. The price is a little steeper than Philo, but you gain some cable news and sports channels. It’s not a great solution for local networks as they only provide Fox and ABC in the largest of TV markers, so you will need a TV antenna for your local channels.
Watch MTV on DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is another way you can watch the MTV. Channel packages with MTV start at $79.99 per month with their “Entertainment” channel plan after a 5-day free trial. When streaming MTV, you get the same MTV programming that you would see on channel 280, DIRECTV’s channel number for MTV. All DIRECTV STREAM plans come with unlimited DVR storage as long as the content is watched within 9 months. Recordings are automatically deleted after 9 months. You can also access on-demand through the MTV app and other channel apps using your DIRECTV STREAM credentials. I cover their “Entertainment” channel plan below since it’s the most affordable way to watch MTV on DIRECTV STREAM. You can learn about all the channel plans they offer in my full review of DIRECTV STREAM.
DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment Plan Price: The service offers a risk-free 5-Day Free Trial. costs $79.99 each month after. However, you can cancel at any time and cancel within the free trial and you will not be charged..
Device Support: DIRECTV STREAM is supported on iOS, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and more. You can watch up 20 streams simultaneously per subscription with any DIRECTV STREAM plan. See our coverage of DIRECTV STREAM Device Support for more details.
Channels: There are over 75 channels in DIRECTV STREAM’s cheapest channel lineup, including MTV, A&E, AMC, Lifetime, Comedy Central, Discovery, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, TLC, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, TBS, TNT, and USA Network. You also get local channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, sports channels like ESPN and FS1, and the cable news networks like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC.
Why Choose DIRECTV STREAM for MTV: DIRECTV STREAM is a streaming service made to replace cable TV, providing you with a way to watch your big 4 local networks and most basic cable channels. The service also stands out in allowing you to stream on up to 20 devices at once. That could save you a ton of money in a multi-TV/mobile device house. There is no risk in signing up as you can cancel anytime. You can even try out the services with their 5-day free trial. If you cancel before the trial is over, you won’t be charged for the first month.
Go To DIRECTV STREAM’s Website
Watch MTV on YouTube TV
YouTube TV also offers MTV streaming and limitless storage space for recording your shows. Stream your library of recorded shows from anywhere. YouTube TV costs $72.99 after a free trial. YouTube TV includes a personal cloud-based DVR for each of the subscription’s six account profiles. In addition, the DVR provides unlimited storage and simultaneous recordings. Furthermore, your recordings are available for nine months. Check out my review of YouTube TV for all the details and channels available on the service.
YouTube TV Price: The service costs $72.99 per month and offers a free trial. They are currently providing a special price of $52.99/mo for your first 3 months.
YouTube TV Devices: YouTube TV supports Android, iOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and more. You can stream on up to three devices at the same time. See our coverage of YouTube TV device support for more details.
Channels: There are over 85 channels in YouTube TV’s Channel lineup, including MTV, AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, TLC, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, TBS, TNT, and USA Network. You also get local channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, sports channels like ESPN and FS1, and the cable news networks like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC.
Why Use YouTube TV to Watch MTV: If channel lineup is your focus, then YouTube TV is likely the best choice. It arguably has a better channel lineup than DIRECTV STREAM and Hulu Live TV, and it is slightly more affordable than those services. It just lacks the on-demand features you get with Hulu Live TV and the simultaneous streams you get with DIRECTV STREAM.
Watch MTV on FuboTV
FuboTV is a streaming service that provides MTV, and over 90 channels are offered in its Pro Plan for $74.99 per month after a 1-week free trial. FuboTV provides a cloud DVR for recording MTV shows along with shows from other channels available through fuboTV. All plans include 1000 hours of DVR storage. You can watch shows recorded on the DVR via FuboTV’s website, iPhone and iPad apps, Android smartphone and tablet apps, Roku, and their Amazon Fire TV app. FuboTV is an excellent place to go for sports, but it offers many other more general channels as well. I cover the Pro Plan below as it’s the most affordable way to watch MTV on fuboTV, but you can learn about all their plans in my review of fuboTV.
FuboTV Price: The service costs $74.99 per month and offers a 1-week free trial
FuboTV Devices: FuboTV is supported on Apple iPhone and iPad, Android phones and tablets, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and more. FuboTV allows you to stream on up to 10 devices with the same account. See our coverage of fuboTV Device Support for more details.
Channels: There are over 100 channels in FuboTV’s channel lineup, including MTV, Comedy Central, Discovery, HGTV, TLC, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and USA Network. fuboTV provides local channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, sports channels like ESPN and FS1, and the cable news networks Fox News, and MSNBC.
Why Use FuboTV for MTV: While fuboTV carries MTV, I recommend going with a service like Hulu Live TV or DIRECTV STREAM for watching MTV. FuboTV costs just as much as those services but has a much weaker channel lineup. I usually recommend this service for people looking to stream college sports or international soccer.
Watch MTV on Vidgo
Vidgo is a newer streaming service that offers fairly competitive pricing over other live streaming services. Vidgo includes MTV in its Core package, along with over 60 other channels. New customers can watch MTV by signing up for the Vidgo Plus Plan for $69.99 per month when you subscribe. Vidgo doesn’t force you into a contract, so you can cancel at any time. Vidgo provides a DVR with its Premium Plan for $84.99 per month. Premium provides a 20-hour Cloud DVR, which works with Firestick, Roku, Google TV, and Apple TV. The plan also adds over 20 channels not found in the Plus Plan to your lineup. If you get the more affordable Plus plan, you get to try the DVR for 90 days. After that, you must upgrade to the Premium Plan to keep the feature. We cover the Pro plan below but have the full details in our guide to Vidgo’s live streaming service.
Vidgo Price: The service costs $69.99 per month. (Sign up)
Vidgo Devices: Vidgo is supported on available on Android, iOS, Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV. You can also stream the service on up to 3 devices at the same time.
Channels: There are over 100 channels in Vidgo’s Channel Lineup, including MTV, Comedy Central, Discovery, HGTV, TLC, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Hallmark Channel. fuboTV provides local ABC and Fox in most parts of the country. It also has sports channels like ESPN and FS1, and the cable news networks Fox News.
Why Use Vidgo for MTV: Vidgo is similar to fuboTV in that I usually only recommend it for college sports. It’s channel lineup lags behind the other top services, isn’t a complete solution for local channels, and charges you for DVR service. I would only use it as a last resort for watching MTV.
Watching MTV on A Streaming Device
Once you subscribe to one of the streaming services that carry MTV, all you need to do is download the streaming services app to a supported device, and then you can start watching MTV.
Watch MTV on Roku
To watch MTV on Roku, follow these instructions.
- Subscribe to a streaming service that carries MTV (Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, etc.)
- On your Roku Menu, navigate to “Search” and press “OK” on your remote
- Enter the name of the streaming service you subscribe to in the search bar
- Select the streaming service and press “OK.”
- Select “Add Channel” and press “OK” on your remote. If the channel is already installed, “Go To Channel” will be an option.
- The App is now installed on your Roku. Open the app, and log in with the credentials you used to subscribe to the service. MTV will be a channel available through the app’s live TV guide.
Watch MTV on Fire TV
To watch MTV on Fire TV, follow these instructions.
- Subscribe to a streaming service that carries MTV (Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, etc.)
- On your Fire TV Home screen, click on the search icon in the screen’s upper-left corner.
- Enter the name of the streaming service you subscribe to in the search bar
- Select the streaming service and press “OK.”
- Select “Download,” and the channel will install
- 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. MTV will be a channel available through the app’s live TV guide.
Watch MTV on Apple TV
To watch MTV on Apple TV, follow these instructions.
- Subscribe to a streaming service that carries MTV (Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, etc.)
- Scroll right to the search icon in the upper-left corner of the screen
- Enter the name of the streaming service you subscribe to in the search bar
- Select the streaming service click the cloud icon, and the channel will install
- 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. MTV will be a channel available through the app’s live TV guide.
Is There an MTV Subscription
No. There isn’t a way to directly subscribe to MTV. However, you can watch MTV live and on-demand through the website or the MTV app. Your login credentials from FuboTV, Philo, YouTube TV, and Vidgo will work to unlock all the content available through the MTV app.
Unlock Full Episodes on The MTV App
To unlock full episodes on the MTV app, you need to have a valid TV provider. Your credentials for streaming services like Philo, Hulu Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, and YouTube TV can all be used to unlock full episodes on the MTV app. The best way to explain this is through an example. Let’s assume we have a Philo subscription and a Roku. We can follow the steps below to get the MTV app working on our device. While the steps below use Philo and Roku to watch MTV, most streaming services and devices will have the same process. You can test this out using a 1-week free trial to Philo.
- Go to the channel store or app store on your device. On Roku, it’s called the “Channel Store.”
- Search for “MTV”
- Add the MTV app to your device and then open it.
- Your Roku device will then show you an activation code and a URL to activate the MTV app.
- Using a computer or mobile web browser, you go to the URL.
- You will then be asked for a TV provider and a username/password. I’m entering the username and password I use for Philo.
- Once you sign in on MTV’s website, your TV screen will refresh. You should now have access to full episodes on the MTV app.
Supported Streaming Devices
The MTV app is supported on all of the following streaming devices:
- Android Devices
- iOS Devices
- Apple TV
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Chromecast
- Android TV
Watch MTV for Free
Some of the streaming services that carry MTV offer a free trial. If you use different email addresses, you can take advantage of those and watch free MTV for almost a month or longer. Let’s look at the free trials available.
- Philo – offers a 7-day free trial
- DIRECTV STREAM – Watch with this 5-day free trial.
- YouTube TV – offer a 1-week free trial
As long as you cancel before the free trial expires, you won’t be charged. You can cycle the free trials to get nearly a month of MTV free. If you get creative with email addresses and payment methods, you could watch free MTV even longer. Doing this would let you test out the various live TV streaming services to see which one you like the best.