Some things age like fine wine, like the gems of Hollywood’s Golden Age showcased on the Turner Classic Movies channel, or TCM. But not everything ages well. Your cable bill, for instance, is a relic of a bygone era. Once a necessary expense for accessing TCM, it now seems as outdated as a silent film. Paying for cable when there are better alternatives just doesn’t make sense.
If you want to catch favorites like “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Graduate,” or “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” there are plenty of ways to keep the classics rolling without a cable subscription. Skinny bundle streaming services are the perfect solution for most viewers. These modern marvels offer TCM as a channel option that can be added to your subscription. This guide will walk you through all the options, step by step.
How to Watch TCM Online Without Cable
From “Shanghai Express” to “The Truman Show,” TCM is a treasure trove of the best films of the 20th century. Watching TCM films is like a lesson in cinema history, taking us through the eras of film with “Silent Sunday Nights,” main programming showing golden era films of the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s, and notable later films following the rise of the blockbuster era. For true movie buffs, TCM is a channel you can’t live without. Here are all the ways you can tune in.
Live TV streaming services are often dubbed “skinny bundles” because they trim down the cumbersome and costly packages that cable and satellite providers offer. They offer access to an on-demand streaming library while also allowing you to add live TV channels to your subscription. These streamlined bundles save subscribers money while delivering the network television channels you watch. TCM is available on several platforms’ channel lineups, making it easy to catch all the live programming on the network.
Here’s the complete list of streaming services offering TCM:
Can I Watch TCM on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast?
The main way to watch TCM is through skinny bundle streaming services, so it’s easy to switch between any screen by pairing it with a streaming device. Just connect your streaming service to devices like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, iOS, Android, or your web browser to take your favorite films with you anywhere you go.
More to Love for TCM Fans
It’s always fun to watch old-school movies starring big names like Bogart and Bacall, but the golden age of Hollywood had a whole other side to it with the rise of home television. TV Land is the place to go for all your favorite classic shows like “Leave It to Beaver” and “Land of the Lost.” If you want to watch some of the greatest TV shows that have ever aired, read our guide to watching TV Land without cable to get started.
Movie lovers who appreciate films from all eras will love the lineup on FX. It includes classic films like “The Godfather” and top-notch TV like “Atlanta” and “Fargo.” Cord-cutters can find out how to watch FX without cable with our watch guide.
Love a happy ending? Try the Lifetime channel. Lifetime is famous for feel-good films like “Perfectly Executed,” suspenseful movies like “The Girl in the Basement,” and reality drama shows like “Married at First Sight.” Check out our guide on how to watch Lifetime without cable.
I think the real reason that TCM was pushed into the sports package for an extra $10 a month is mostly for pc reasons. Yes, PC as in “politically correct.” In many of the classic Hollywood golden age movies, you will see that women and people of color were mostly treated as second class citizens. The people who are now running Comcast/XFinity are mostly millenials and Gen Z’s. These younger generations see little value in the politically incorrect golden age classics. Some millenials and Gen Zs even feel offended to see old movies where white males dominated all of the important leadership roles. Even more embarrassing for some are a handful of classics where white men performed in black face such as Al Jolson in “The Jazz Singer* or Fred Astaire in “Swing Time.” Look, I understand their resentment toward many of these old classics– however, it was a diffeerent time with a different set of morals. I too, as an white male baby boomer, feel the pain when I see some of the roles that the classics portrayed! However, I also know that some women and people of color will watch these movies just the same because they know that that was the way it was, but there were also many great scenes as well as many great song and dance routines in these old movies just the same. I enjoy watching the old classics because they do not offend my sensibilities like modern movies do with cuss words, heavy blatant sex, extreme scenes of violence and deep feelings of despair. Yes, I find most modern movies and TV shows are offensive because they lack a moral code that existed in Hollywood entertainment prior to about the year 1965. There is a lot that the younger generations can learn by looking beyond the politically incorrect scenes and roles as the 21st century culture judges by….indeed, if one studies the history of Al Jolson and Fred Astaire, they would learn that black face was the only way in their day that they could pay homage to the great black song and dance performers of their day. Astaire’s “Bojangles in Harlem” routine was meant to pay great respect to the great Bill Robinson, a black dancer whom Astaire studied and learned from in achieving his own fame. For the ladies, though classic Hollywood often cast them in subservient or sexual object roles, from time to time, some classic movies showed women breaking free of the bonds of male domination. Joan Crawford did this in the the 1940s classic ” Mildred Pierce” and a cunning female news reporter outwitted all of the men including Cary Grant’s character another 1940s comedy classic “His Girl Friday.” Despite the condescending title (by today’s pc standards), the lead female actress (that term is also politically incorrect now!– she would be an actor in today’s gender neutral world) was really an earl break-through production about the liberation of women’s rights. In summation, there is a lot that the modern generations can learn from the old classics– there is no denying that women and people of color were often treated poorly in these old movies. However, I continue to favor these old movies for their mostly positive, happy endings and for their charm and comedic tempos without need to resort to vulgar language, blood and gore and heavy sex in order to get my attention. After a long day of political strife at the office, and an anxious commute to and fro….and then watching the evening news full of violence, hatred and death….these old classics offer soothing relief from a troubled world. It is a shame that Comcast has cut me off from my favorite channel (TCM) temporarily because of their pc attitudes. However, their moral choice will soon swing in my favor when my 2 year commitment to them ends in April and I cut the cord to get TCM back when I fully activate my ROKU device which I have already tested several times.
Get a grip
AMEN!!!
Very well stated!!
AMEN
I agree with you 100%.
Then, do something about it!!! Complain to the FCC!!!
Enough with the “agreeing.” Time to take action!!!
Complain to the FCC!!! I did about a different matter. Got a check in the mail, 2.5 years after filing complaint. Complaint turned into a “class action” because so many of us complained!!!
Doesn’t make sense to waste time complaining only on this website!
Do something that matters!
Stop TCM, all of them from their nonsense!!!!
And while you’re at it, you can burn all the books, too!
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I totally agree. Plus, I am SICK AND TIRED of these whining babies that get “offended’’ just because the sun comes up. We matter just as much as they do, if not more. What ever happened to respecting the opinions and preferences of those of us who have paid our dues????
Well spoken, Sir. Seems to me you have a very good grip on what’s happening today. I wish more people shared your sensibility.
The group of people that is totally effected by the dropping of TCM are the seniors….the young people know all these new ways of cord cutting,devices, etc….TCM is the most beloved among seniors, especially those shut ins that had this channel as a trusted 24 hr companion….it’s really a crime, disgraceful, that the powers that be could be so cruel to deny TCM, hold it hostage for an additional fee over and above what we already pay a month. On limited incomes, with our HOAs rising, cost of medications, home health care etc. this effected their well health. Same on them
I agree! Shame on them!!!
I agree Elaine. A tragedy to those of us that enjoy classic film making from the past.
TCM needs to get with the program. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, National geogrpahic. all of these companies offer their own streaming, their own app on any Android Smart TV. Why hasn’t TCM followed this trend. Wait, are they part of a monopolized corporate conglomerate?
Let me know when TCM follows the trend of competition. Gets an app like all the rest. I do not pay for cable, but again, if TCM is part of a cable conglomerate, this will never happen.
Wait. I just found out that TCM offers streaming from a mobile App. I will try it out and see how much it costs. My phone easily casts its content to my Sony TV. So I can pull up the app, steam the movie and cast it to the tv….. we will see.
Nan you still have to have some TV service provider. a joke. TCM directly stream please. This is a great monopoly.
Since no live sports games are being played due to the coronavirus, will Comcast see mass cancellations of their sports subscription package? Will the current global situation force them to reconsider the TCM-Sports bundle and make TCM its own streaming service at a reduced cost?
I was thinking the same thing. Has anyone called Comcast to see if they are reducing rates on the Sports Package due to no sports being played?
Comcast is applying a $15.82 “courtesy adjustment” refund on my bill from my regional sports network due to the unique circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic.
I love TCM but have not watched it in over 3 years. I refuse to $30.00 a month just for TCM and the other channels I’m not interested in. I am in their “Inner Circle” and have mentioned this multiple times. Never got an answer and I’ve just given up.
I had TMC with my Comcast service and knowing how popular it was they yanked it into a bundle. Needless to say I haven’t watch TCM for 2 years. Without RO personal knowledge and antidotes it lost its charm for me. Now I go to Goodwills, Salvation Armies and Thrift Stores and buy the classics.
I loved TCM and it was the only reason I had cable for so long. After Filmstruck (a streaming service with TCM and Criterion content) came along for $10.00 a month I cut the cord. Unfortunately, Filmstruck didn’t last and so I now subscribe to The Criterion Channel which does have some classic films from the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s, but it’s mostly art house and foreign films, which is okay, but I still want more classic Hollywood films. After doing a great deal of research it looks as though I would have to pay for a live TV bundle and add TCM to it. This means I would have to pay, at the very least, $35-$40 per month for TCM and numerous other channels I have ZERO interest in. I guess I have to just live with without TCM for good.
YouTubeTV raising rates to $65 will lose a customer soon.
TCM will be the biggest loss for us.
Please TCM, get your streaming service started!
It appears that Fubotv cut out TCM today, as it doesn’t appear on their line-up anymore. I checked their add-ons and it isn’t listed there either. It is the only reason I even watch any tv. I’ll be doing some research on where to find it and cancel my Fubotv subscription.
Hello, I am currently with Verizon and our current contract is up in 4 months. I am currently looking at other TV viewing options. I was considering Xfinity. I was checking all the channels and noticed TCM was missing. I watch TCM on occasion. It would be nice to have, but I will not pay extra $10 for a Sports package just to get one channel. Besides there are other movie channels that show classic movies (FXM, The Movie Channel).
Comcast is applying a $15.82 “courtesy adjustment” refund on my bill from my regional sports network due to the unique circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic.
We cut the cord several years ago. We have only one regret… we miss TCM. But we will NOT pay $33 + an add on of $8 (Sling total $41) for a bundle that has only one channel we like (Grit and H&I are free over-the-air). If people weren’t so addicted to their football and baseball and hockeyball and tennisball and softball and golfball and bowlingball and basketball, we could have a true cable/satellite rebellion. Then the prices would plummet. Besides, people truly believe that just because they don’t watch a certain channel (say CNN), they aren’t supporting the channel. WRONG! As per their provider contract with networks, regardless whether one watches that junk or not, a portion of their monthly payment goes right into the pockets of the CNN bigshots. I am quite sure the same is true with Sling and Hulu. I’ll pass on TCM and stick to my free OTA channels and my $200 purchased DVR.
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streaming service like the amazon firestick are so easy to set up…then order youtube tv.(or another streamin service)..73.50/month and you have tcm for free……..people..cut the cord and stream ..so much cheaper….why pay 200+/m dollars for cable when u can pay 50-90$/month
I already signed up for Hulu in January and pay a monthly fee. Is TCM already included on Hulu or will I have to pay an additional fee to get TCM? I just cancelled Sling TV because it was $50+ bucks a month and I found that we were rarely going to that app to watch programs. The apps that I go to often are Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Hulu, Acorn TV, Netflix, Peacock & Paramount. Of course there are monthly fees for those and a person wonders if cancelling Direct TV is even worth it since I’m paying for all those apps.
So what’s the cheapest way to get TCM? I have Roku. Thanks!
From what I can tell the cheapest way to get TCM is with Sling for $41/mo.
Don’t know about you all but I don’t have $41 for Sling or any other service!!! I am low income and feel very, very lucky to have Spectrum discounted internet for $20/mo. It is very slow but at least I have it! I live in a “medium-size” city in WI, anywhere outside of Madison or Milwaukee, WI, there basically isn’t internet or wireless phone service except for very, very high prices using “Dish” connections.
Low income people in rural WI aren’t lucky to get basic cable or fancy cable connections. There are corporate farmers who have taken over most of WI’s farmland that used to be owned by individual families with generations of history who cared for and farmed their land.
GOP Congress people have promoted corporate farming with their tax breaks and discouraged older ways of farming!!! Trump’s so-called $10 billion Foxconn factory/business with tons of promises and WI offering incredible tax breaks, WI condemning land, building highways, doing more for Foxconn. Now, Foxconn “maybe” will be creating a $630 million manufacturing place with low-paying jobs and toxic wastes!!!
I read whining on this website … and frankly, I whine along with you about TCM!!! However, as someone who has fought breast/lymph cancer twice in the last 24 mos. And, the doctors say it will come back in the next 24 mos (and I don’t plan to fight it), I urge all of you strongly to stop, stop, stop whining!!!
Take action!!! Please!!! Contact the FCC!!! This website is “nice.” But, hey, you all are wasting tons of money on cable tv stations/links. You are all being manipulated!!! You are all doing nothing about it but whining!!!
Put all of your entertainment money together or parts of it and FIGHT!!! Contact the FCC!!! But also, stop the idiots who are blocking Biden’s “Infrastruction Bill”!!! And, if you don’t agree totally with the bill, do something!!! Get involved with politics!!! Be constructive, not destructive!!!
Don’t get in the way of getting things done!!! Contact your Congress people!!!
Contact the FCC!!! The FCC sent me a check, after I complained!!! My complaint ended up being part of a class action!!!
I’m sick of whining … and there is tons of it on this website!!! Create good change!!!
If you have HBO or HBO max subscription they have a nice little perk built in. It’s called the TCM ‘Collection’ . It’s mostly 70s-90s type films but there are some of the classic older TCM library material scattered about.
Thank you s o much. I need to drop cable and have been searching for days tofind TCM. Can any movies be recorded as I did on dvr pls advise thanks so much michele
We have Spectrum Cable, TCM was free, now the cable company is doing a money grab, they now wants to charge us a ridiculous amount of money, $30 for the silver package a month and $50 for gold package for TCM plus channels we don’t want and probably won’t watch, we’re not going to pay these prices and I Hope Spectrum and TCM go out of business.
Thank you s-o-much for your alert. I need to drop cable and have been searching for days to find Tcm. can any movies be recorded as I did on dvr?? Pls advise re other important info. I am very frustrated and confused thanks for all of your suggestons for very old “cord cutter” michele