Lifetime has been thrilling U.S. viewers with its made-for-TV films, drama and comedy shows, and lifestyle and reality series geared toward women since 1984.
As such, this cable channel has become a staple in households across the country, prompting many new viewers to ask: “Is Lifetime streaming free?”
To access Lifetime’s original programming, you need to pay for a cable or satellite TV or cut the cord with a TV streaming service that includes Lifetime.
Let us tell you more about it!
What Is the Lifetime App?
Once you have a valid Lifetime subscription, you can access all your favorite programming via the free-to-use Lifetime app—tailor-made for playing every Lifetime movie, reality, and drama show. With the app, you can access all of these features:
- Watch new full episodes and movies;
- Catch up on entire seasons of recent and classic shows;
- Access behind-the-scenes and preview clips;
- Enjoy the full TV schedule for Lifetime;
- Download it on any mobile device or tablet.
- iOS, Android, and Kindle HD support.
To start watching via the Lifetime app, you only need to download it via Google Play, the Apple App Store, or the Amazon Appstore. However, there’s a version of the app for Roku, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Tizen.
Once you download the app, you will be prompted to sign in with your cable, satellite, or streaming TV account to access your Lifetime TV package. That said, even if you don’t sign in, you can still access some of Lifetime’s content.
How Much Does It Cost to Stream Lifetime?
Since you cannot subscribe to Lifetime directly at this moment, the fees you’ll pay will depend on how you access the network’s programming. At the end of the day, there are hundreds of providers of all kinds that carry Lifetime’s programming. Below, we’ll overview some of them and look at their prices.
However, if you are only interested in Lifetime’s movies, you can access them via the Lifetime Movie Club service, which contains over 2,000 original and acquired movie titles for a fee as low as $4.99 per month without a TV subscription.
| 📝Note Season passes for specific Lifetime TV series are also available via retailers such as Amazon, Xbox, iTunes, Google Play, PlayStation, and Hoopla. |
How Do I Watch Lifetime Movie Club on My TV?
To access the content available through the Lifetime Movie Club service, you need to download, install, and set up the corresponding app on your TV.
However, as of right now, the app is only available for the following TV devices:
- Apple TVs—search for the app in the App Store, click on ‘Get’ and wait for the ‘Open’ button to go live;
- Roku TVs—search for the app in the Roku Channel Store, click on ‘Add channel’, and wait for the app to install;
- Google Chromecast-enabled TVs—download the app on your Android device, attach the Chromecast device, and look for the cast button within the app;
Unfortunately, Amazon Fire TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, and other smart TV brands are yet to implement support for the Lifetime Movie Club app.
| 📝Note Some cable TV providers, such as Cox or Comcast Xfinity, offer you the option to add Lifetime Movie Club as an on-demand TV channel. |
How to Watch the Lifetime Channel Without Cable?
If you are cutting the cord like almost 100 million other people in the U.S., you don’t have to worry about losing access to Lifetime since the best TV streaming services include its programming as part of their offer. Below we look at six such providers.
1. Frndly TV
- Price: Starting at $6.99/month
- Free trial: 7 days
- Supported devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android devices, Android TV, Chromecast, iOS devices, and most major web browsers
As one of the cheapest TV streaming providers (only $6.99/month), Frndly TV is your best choice if you want to enjoy everything Lifetime has to offer.
With that single-digit subscription plan, you can access over 40 channels that offer both live and on-demand content in HD video quality.
On top of that, you can stream on up to four simultaneous screens so the whole family can enjoy their favorite programming.
Also, you won’t miss a single episode as Frndly TV comes with a 72-hour look-back feature and the option to record as much as you want.
2. Philo
- Price: $25/month
- Free trial: 7 days
- Supported devices: Android devices, iOS devices, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Android TV, Samsung TV, and desktop browsers
Another cheap yet fantastic streaming service offering Lifetime is Philo, a recent addition to the TV streaming landscape that has built a name for itself with a fantastic offer: you get access to over 70 channels for as low as $25 per month.
As with most other providers, you can stream your content on all kinds of devices and record and save your favorite shows for up to a year.
Moreover, you can create up to ten Philo profiles per account and stream on up to three different devices concurrently. Naturally, you can cancel your service without paying penalty fees since you are not required to sign a contract.
3. DIRECTV STREAM
- Price: From $74.99/month
- Free trial: 5 days
- Supported devices: Streaming TV devices (Apple TV, Roku, etc.), Android and iOS phones & tablets, computers, smart TVs, Google devices, etc.
As a superior TV streaming provider, DIRECTV STREAM’s services start at a premium fee of $74.99/month—a price that they need to justify and which they do to an extent.
Even with the basic Entertainment plan, you can access over 75 premium networks (including Lifetime), regional sports channels, and over 40,000 on-demand titles.
To stream their content, you can either use a dedicated app that works across most devices or purchase the DIRECTV STREAM Device. In either case, you can seamlessly access their live TV, on-demand content, and unlimited cloud DVR.
4. Hulu + Live TV
- Price: Starting at $69.99/month
- Free trial: No free trial
- Supported devices: Mobile devices (Android and iOS), PC browsers, gaming consoles (Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PS), smart TVs (Samsung, LG, etc.), TV devices (Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, etc.)
To prove its status as one of the biggest names in the TV streaming space, Hulu offers around 100 premium channels, including Disney+ and ESPN+ (Lifetime also!), along with thousands of on-demand shows and movies.
Ultimately, Hulu has everything you may need, from top-tier sports channels to reputable news networks and entertainment channels.
You can stream the full seasons of exclusive shows, be the first to watch the latest hit movies and Hulu originals, and experience the year’s biggest events, from the largest sporting events like the Olympics to the Grammys, Oscars, and Emmys.
As for perks, you get access to an unlimited screens option (with an add-on), unlimited DVR at no additional costs, and the option to cancel whenever you want.
| 📝Note If you are only interested in Lifetime’s shows and movies, you can also get by with only $7.99/month, which gives you access to the network’s on-demand library. |
5. Sling TV
- Price: Starting at $40
- Free trial: 7 days
- Supported devices: TV devices (Samsung, Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Google Nest, Roku, LG, etc.), mobile devices (Android, iOS), PC browsers, gaming consoles (Xbox Series X|S)
You can find Lifetime as part of both the Sling Orange and the Sling Blue package, or you can even purchase a combo Orange & Blue subscription for just $55/month, which comes with around 50 channels, 50 hours of DVR, and three simultaneous streams.
Therefore, for the features you get for your money, Sling TV falls somewhere between a premium option like Hulu and the much more sensible Philo.
However, you can constantly adjust the service you are getting with premium add-ons, including extra channels and extended DVR storage of up to 200 hours.
6. Vidgo
- Price: From $64.95/month
- Free trial: No free trial
- Supported devices: Mobile devices (Android & iOS), TV devices (Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast), web browsers
Last but not least, we have Vidgo—an entertainment-focused TV streaming service that includes plenty of news and live sports channels.
However, the cheapest Vidgo plan that includes Lifetime is Vidgo English Plus, which comes with over 110 live and on-demand channels at $64.95/month.
Your subscription allows you to watch live TV and stream over 14,000 shows and movies wherever you are on up to three devices at once. You just need to grab your popcorn and press ‘Play’ on any new hits or old classics you want to enjoy.
Bottom Line
Is Lifetime streaming free? Not really, as you need an active subscription to a TV service that includes Lifetime in its offering. Therefore, to keep up with the Dance Moms, the Little Women, and the cast of Married at First Sight, check out providers such as Hulu, DIRECTV, Sling TV, and Frndly TV. Before doing so, however, get a taste of Lifetime’s programming by playing the free content offered by the app.
FAQs
Do I have to sign in to use the Lifetime app?
No, you do not! In fact, you can access some of Lifetime’s shows and movies by simply opening and navigating the Lifetime app.
What’s the difference between watching while signed in and watching while not signed in?
Signing in with a verified TV account will give you access to the complete Lifetime programming, whereas watching while signed out is a limited experience.
Where to watch Lifetime movies?
You can access Lifetime’s original and acquired movies via the Lifetime Movie Club streaming service for only $4.99 per month. Additionally, websites like Prime Video and iTunes might have specific titles for rent or purchase.
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Sirisha is a networking enthusiast with a bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering. She has developed a keen interest in Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and has gone the extra mile to gain firsthand experience and knowledge.