While Oprah Winfrey is no longer on network TV every week, the OWN network she started has become a popular way to access content she curates, including Phil, Haves and Have Nots, Greenleaf, and Queen Sugar.
If OWN is keeping you from cutting the cord, here are the best ways to watch OWN without cable.
Table of Contents
Which Streaming Services Offer OWN?
When Oprah ended her show, she started a network – OWN, or the Oprah Winfrey Network. With exclusive content, scores of hardcore Oprah fans want to know how to watch OWN without cable.
The best way to get OWN without a cable provider is to sign up for a streaming service that has it. While it isn’t included in every streaming service, there are several popular ones, like Philo TV, that offer it for much less than cable.
1. Philo
Philo TV features lifestyle and entertainment content at an affordable rate. For $25 per month, you get 70+ channels.
In addition to OWN, Philo TV channels include: A&E, AMC, BET, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, Lifetime, and TLC.
Unfortunately, what you won’t get with Philo TV is sports. Part of the way Philo TV keeps its rates so low is by not carrying ESPN or Fox Sports.
There are other ways to get some sports with Philo. With a one-time purchase of an antenna (like the Mohu Leaf, which we have and love), you can get all your local channels and watch NFL and college football games that way.
Learn more in our review of Philo.
2. fuboTV
If not having sports is a deal breaker for you, fuboTV is a terrific option to stream OWN. The cable replacement has over 100 channels in its base package for $79.99 a month, plus RSN fees.
It has dozens of popular entertainment and lifestyle channels, including Bravo, Food Network, HGTV, and more. The platform also carries lots of prominent sports networks, including the full-suite of ESPN channels, Fox Sports, and the NFL Network.
FuboTV also carries all local networks and has a base DVR of 1,000 hours of recorded content.
Read our review of fuboTV to learn more about the service.
3. DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV Now) is another, albeit more expensive, answer to the question of how to stream OWN without cable.
You’ll need the ‘Choice’ package for $108.99, making it a cheaper way to watch Benson, Ready to Love, and Ambitions than cable.
One of the benefits of DIRECTV STREAM is the three months subscription to HBO Max that is bundled in with the ‘Choice’ and ‘Ultimate’ plans.
If you like to watch OWN, DIRECTV STREAM isn’t your cheapest option, but it is less expensive than cable.
Read our DIRECTV STREAM review to learn more.
4. Vidgo
Oprah fans love discussing her shows and books with friends, Vidgo provides a perfect platform for doing just that. Its social sharing features like chat rooms, gifs, and video recordings make it easy to have fun watching TV with friends.
The base plan offers roughly 110 channels for $69.99 per month or the next tier offers about 150 channels for $84.99 per month.
Unfortunately, there is no free trial to test the service.
Learn more about this new streaming service in our Vidgo review.
5. Hulu with Live TV
Hulu Live is a popular service that compares well against Netflix for original content. Hulu also carries the Oprah Winfrey Network as a part of its live TV streaming service.
Hulu + Live TV includes over 80 live TV channels, including many popular lifestyle, entertainment, and sports networks.
It recently increased its price to $76.99 per month, but it now includes the ESPN+/Disney+ bundle as a part of its offering.
Like other higher-priced live services, Hulu Live includes local channels. It also now includes an unlimited cloud DVR.
Read our Hulu with Live TV review to learn more.
6. YouTube TV
YouTube TV is viewed by many as one of the top live TV streaming services in the market.
In addition to OWN, you’ll find popular channels like Bravo, Food Network, and Travel Channel. If you want to stream The Travel Channel without cable, read our guide, for the best choices to do that.
Unlike other streaming services, YouTube TV offers local channels. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to stream your local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC station without an antenna if you choose YouTube TV.
*Related: Do you like ABC shows, but don’t want a contract? Read our guide on the best services to do that without a contract.
The streaming service is compatible with all major devices including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Roku.
YouTube TV lets you stream content on up to three devices or TVs at once and includes DVR service so you can record your favorite shows.
If you’ve not tried a streaming service before, you might be surprised to know you can also watch content on your laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.
This convenience is one of the reasons YouTube TV and the other streaming services mentioned here are becoming so popular with cord cutters.
You can learn more in our YouTube TV review.
Try YouTube TV’s free trial and see if this streaming service works for you.
Can I Watch OWN Online for Free
As is true of other networks, like CBS and NBC for example, OWN does let you watch some of its content online for free. There is an OWN app you can download to your tablet or smartphone and a website where you can watch OWN shows.
Unfortunately, you can’t watch all shows for free. Unlocking all the content in the app and on the website requires a login from a TV or cable provider.
However, if you like lifestyle content Discovery+ may be a terrific option. The on-demand platform has over 55,000 episodes, from over 20 networks – including OWN.
The service is $4.99 a month and you can test it out with a seven-day free trial.
Can You Watch on Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, or Roku?
The simple answer is yes.
Not only can you watch Oprah Winfrey network on Roku, you can watch OWN on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, computers with Android operating systems, and tablets and devices with iOS.
If you are new to streaming, there are only two things you truly need to watch OWN without cable:
- A streaming device (like Fire TV Stick, Roku, or Apple TV)
- A streaming service (like Philo TV, DIRECTV STREAM, or YouTube TV)
That’s it. Wi-Fi will make it possible for you to watch OWN on your Smart TV and devices. There are a number of solid streaming platforms today, making it easier than ever to cut cable, save money and not give up your favorite shows.
Bottom Line
If fear of losing Oprah’s channel is keeping you in an expensive cable contract, it’s time to cut the cord. Choose any one of the streaming services reviewed here to watch OWN without cable and start saving.
If you don’t need to watch live sports, Philo TV may be the best way to stream OWN since it’s just $25 per month.
Whichever service you choose, you’ll spend less for OWN than you are with cable. Stop spending more than you need to and start saving today with one of these great options.
How much do you spend on cable or streaming every month?
I’m Nicole Schmoll – a master’s-educated professional writer, mompreneur, and co-founder of Frugal Rules.
As a freelance copywriter in Omaha, I still believe that writing is an artistic expression. Every time I strike the keys, I intend to evoke a response from my listeners. I left my full-time career as a senior copywriter for an insurance agency to start my own freelance writing business.
I love watching and writing about TV (and how to stream it!)
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