How to Watch Lifetime Without Cable

Sling Orange is one of two plans offered by the affordable live TV streaming service Sling. Unlike the other plan, Sling Blue, Sling Orange doesn’t offer local channels. It’s also missing a few favorites, like FS1, Bravo, TruTV, and USA. However, Sling Orange does carry Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, Freeform, and MotorTrend. Lifetime fans can also switch to channels like Food Network and ID for similar alternatives. Pros

• Also has Food Network, ID, and Travel Channel

Philo is a skinny bundle that offers nearly a hundred live channels, all for under $30/month. Lifetime fans can also enjoy similar channels like LMN, Hallmark, Magnolia, and ID, among many others. You can even customize your plan with add-ons like Starz and AMC+. It’s notably lacking in the sports and news department, but it’s an otherwise solid option for pure entertainment. Pros

• Has unlimited DVR

Cons

• Missing key channels, including sports, news and local channels

Sling Blue is the other plan offered by live TV streaming service Sling. It’s similarly priced as Sling’s other plan, Sling Orange, and while both boast 50 hours of DVR and a wide-ranging channel lineup, Sling Blue has the advantage of offering local channels in select markets. Although for the same reason, it charges an extra $5 monthly broadcast fee that you can’t opt out of, even if you don’t care for local content. Pros

• Has a great channel lineup that includes local networks in select markets

Cons

• If you get local channels in your area, you can't opt out of the $5/month broadcast fee

DirecTV Stream usually has a good lineup of women-focused channels, for example every package comes with WE TV, Bravo, and ION. However, a while back they made Lifetime only available on their "Choice" package, the second most expensive "base" package. The good news is that they also included the channel in their MyEntertainment skinny bundle for just $35.99/month. Whether you're looking for a cost-effective way to stream the Lifetime suite of channels, or for a complete cord-cutting package with all the bells and whistles, DIRECTV now offers a wide spectrum of ways to get the channel without the constraints of cable. Pros

• Available for $35.99 as part of DIRECTV MyEntertainment skinny bundle

Cons

• Lifetime is only available in the "Choice" package

Hulu with Live TV is one of the most expensive services in this list, but it offers plenty to justify that price. It has a wide range of channels that cover local, sports, and entrainment. It also comes with Disney+ and ESPN+, not to mention Hulu’s growing slate of on-demand titles. Still, with that price you’d think it would allow for more than two simultaneous streams. Another potential downside is that Hallmark and History are missing in the channel lineup, which might disappoint Lifetime fans. Pros

• Already includes Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu on-demand

Frndly doesn’t have plenty of channels to its name, but its focus on family-friendly content makes it appealing to plenty of viewers. Apart from Lifetime, it also carries Hallmark, LMN, and ION. If you upgrade your plan, you can even watch Frndly from anywhere on up to four devices. It might not be enough on its own, but it's a great way to supplement your streaming lineup with live TV channels. Pros

• Also has Hallmark, LMN, and ION

Cons

• Missing key channels, including sports, news and local channels

Spectrum TV Stream is one of the live TV streaming plans offered by the internet provider. It carries nearly a hundred channels, including LMN, Magnolia, and Hallmark and it allows two devices to watch at the same time. It doesn’t have much going for it, but it is convenient that you can cancel it anytime since it’s contract-free, unlike Spectrum’s cable TV plans. Pros

• Also has LMN, Magnolia, and Hallmark

Cons

• Requires Spectrum internet
• No local channels

True to its name, Spectrum TV Choice gives subscribers the unique freedom to choose up to 15 live channels on its lineup, then change those channels every month. You’ve given a wide-range of options that include sports, news, entertainment, and local channels. However, if you do get the latter, you’re charged a mandatory $23.20/month in broadcast fees. While cancelling a subscription is easy enough, signing up requires you to visit or call your nearest branch. Pros

• You can select up to 15 channels and change them every 30 days

Cons

• Requires Spectrum internet
• If you get local channels in your area, you can't opt out of the $23.20/month broadcast fee