How to Watch American Idol Online without Cable

Budding singers get excited! American Idol is back for a new season! Like in other seasons expect a range of male and female talented singers that are all competing for a record contract, a fat check, and plenty of other perks. Judges including Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie will critique the singers each week to help them get better and push towards the finish line. Still, only one singer can become the next American Idol! You can stream American Idol episodes on Sunday evenings. In fact, if you keep reading you can learn all of the ways to watch American Idol online without cable!

Watch American Idol Online without Cable on Hulu Live

Your package includes Hulu’s on-demand service and more

Hulu with Live TV might be the right service for you if you want a way to replace cable but don’t want to sacrifice many of the popular channels you love. Hulu Live gives you access to local channels in most areas and that includes ABC. You’ll also have channels like ESPN, TNT, and USA. There are even channels for the kids. Hulu Live is available for $45 per month and it includes more than 50 channels. While $40 is pretty standard in terms of streaming services, the other services don’t include Hulu’s on-demand service as part of their packages. This means if you’re already a Hulu on-demand subscriber you’ll be able to add live TV and roll your package into one! For more details, check the available Hulu Live channels in every package.

 

Upgrade Your DVR Package and Get 200-Hours of Space

You can use the cloud-DVR to record shows you aren’t able to watch live. 50-hours of recording space comes with your account, but you can upgrade and get 200-hours for a small fee. Movie channels are also available as an upgrade. Streaming is possible on two devices unless you upgrade to watch unlimited shows streaming simultaneously. If you want to stream American Idol episodes with Hulu Live you can use computers, mobile devices, gaming consoles, Apple TV, smart TVs, Fire TV, Roku, and more.

Hulu with Live TV highlights:

• Packages from $45/month
• Over 50 channels are included
• Local channels are available in most areas, ESPN, TBS, TNT, USA, and others are also included
• No contracts!
• Choose from 50-hours of cloud-DVR space or upgrade for 200-hours
• Hulu’s on-demand service is just one benefit to Hulu Live
• Watch American Idol online with computers, Chromecast, Roku, mobile devices, Fire TV, and more
• Enjoy the Hulu Live 7-day trial and watch American Idol online free

Our Hulu Live review can tell you even more.

 

DIRECTV NOW Offers the American Idol Live Stream in Many Areas

Four large package options are available with up to 125+ channels

DIRECTV NOW has four packages to choose from and all of them offer some or all local channels. Whether you get each channel live streaming will depend on where you live. Even if you don’t get the American Idol live stream, you’ll have nationwide on-demand access so you could stream American Idol episodes after they air on TV. The number of channels you receive will depend on your package. A minimum of 65+ channels are included in the main package for $40. If you want a larger package, some options include 125+ channels. You also have the option of adding movie channels like HBO or Showtime. Beyond local channels, some other channels you might find include AMC, Freeform, HGTV, USA, TNT, BBC America, and many others.

 

ABC May Be Available Live or You Can Watch On-Demand

You can watch DIRECTV NOW on mobile devices, Apple TV, computers, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, and other devices. A cloud-based DVR offers a limited amount of space to ensure that you can record your favorite shows. You can also find live and on-demand content through TV Everywhere apps. Our DIRECTV NOW review is a great way to learn more about this service. You can also sign up for the free DIRECTV NOW trial, to watch the American Idol online free.

DIRECTV NOW details:

• Four package options start from $40
• Start with 65+ channels or go for more channels with over 125 in the top package
• Many networks offer on-demand content as soon as the next day
• TV Everywhere apps are available for many channels
• A cloud-based DVR offers a limited amount of space for recording live TV
• A one-week DIRECTV NOW trial is available risk-free
• Watch on mobile devices, Apple TV, Chromecast, computers, Amazon Fire TV, and more

 

Watch American Idol without Cable on YouTube TV

50+ channels and an unlimited cloud-DVR are included

YouTube TV is a great option if you prefer streaming on-the-go. While most services offer a mobile option, YouTube TV’s app is one of the easiest to use. Over 50 channels come in this package and that includes ABC and other local channels in many areas. Other channels include AMC, TNT, ESPN, and USA. This package comes to $40 per month and there aren’t any contracts to sign. An on-demand library is included, as well. This means you’ll be able to watch American Idol streaming on-demand if you miss the live stream.

 

Most Areas Should Have Access to Local Channels

TV Everywhere apps will work for many of the channels in your package, as well. If you love to binge-watch, you might enjoy the cloud-DVR that comes with unlimited storage space. Each recording is held for up to nine months. This means you’ll be free to record an entire TV season if you want before you start watching! YouTube TV works with a wide variety of streaming devices. You can use Chromecast, Apple TV, and Roku. The main device that doesn’t work with YouTube TV is Amazon Fire TV devices. Feel free to check out our YouTube TV review.

YouTube TV details:

• $40/month to start for 50+ channels
• TV Everywhere apps and an on-demand library are ways to watch extra content
• Fire TV devices aren’t compatible
• Stream on mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, computers, Chromecast, etc.
• Unlimited space is included with the cloud-based DVR
• Don’t forget your YouTube TV free 7-day trial

 

PlayStation Vue Offers American Idol Streaming in Select Cities

All four packages offer local channel access based on location

PlayStation Vue gives you the option of four packages and a minimum of 50+ channels. It doesn’t matter which package you choose because even the smallest package offers access to local channels. Whether or not you receive an ABC live stream will depend on your location. Even if you don’t get the live stream you can watch American Idol streaming through the on-demand library as soon as a day after it airs on TV. In addition to local channels your package may include AMC, ESPN, FOX News, USA, CNN, TNT, and many other channels.

 

Watch American Idol On-Demand if It’s Not Available Live

PS Vue charges $45 per month for the smallest package. Larger packages cost more, but also include more channels. All packages include access to TV Everywhere apps and a cloud-DVR with 28-day storage. If you have a larger family, you can even make separate profiles, so everyone has their own watchlist and DVR setup. You can stream PS Vue on both PS3 and PS4 consoles. You can also use mobile devices, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, Fire TV, computers, and other devices.  You can learn more with our PS Vue review. Make sure to try the 5-day PS Vue trial.

PlayStation Vue details:

• The PS Vue 5-day trial is your way to watch American Idol online free
• Packages start at $45 with over 50 channels
• Choose from four packages each with more channels than the last
• Stream using PS3/PS4 consoles, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, mobile devices, and more
• Store recordings on your cloud-based DVR for 28-days
• Simultaneous streaming is possible on up to 5 devices at a time

 

Watch the American Idol Live Stream on ABC using an Antenna

You can watch American Idol without cable using a digital antenna. Actually, this is one of your cheapest options, as once you’ve purchased the antenna from then on you get to watch the American Idol live stream free each week! If you want to save money as a cord cutter, a digital antenna is a great option. No matter where you live or how far you are from a city, you’ll find many different antenna options available to suit your needs.

For example, if you’re in a city and looking for something to pick up the local channels in the immediate area, the Mohu Leaf 30 may be a great choice for you. If you’re out in a more rural area and you want the option of indoor or outdoor antennas, you could check out the ClearStream Indoor/Outdoor Antenna. Finally, if an outdoor antenna is what you’re looking for the Winegard Platinum Series Long Range Antenna will search the furthest of each of these antennas, to ensure you get the most channels possible.

 

How Else Can You Watch American Idol Online Without Cable?

If you’re not looking for a live stream option, there are a few on-demand streaming services that might work for you. Each service allows you to watch a variety of shows from different networks, often as soon as a day after the show airs on TV. Other networks, like Netflix, offer entire seasons at once, which is great for binge-watching. If American Idol streaming is available on-demand, you’ll find the details here.

 

Is American Idol on Netflix?

You cannot stream American Idol with Netflix. Even if they did offer American Idol streaming, you’d have to wait until the end of the season to watch current episodes. You can learn more in our Netflix review.

Is American Idol on Hulu?

Hulu does not currently offer American Idol streaming. While you cannot get American Idol with the on-demand streaming service, Hulu with Live TV offers ABC in many areas. You can read our Hulu review to learn more.

Is American Idol on Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime offers some reality shows, but American Idol streaming is unavailable. Our Amazon Prime review is a great source of information.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to watch American Idol online. Any questions you might have can be added to the comments!