How to Watch MTV Without Cable for Free Online

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The 2024 Video Music Awards (VMAs) will air live on MTV on Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. P.T/ 8 p.m. E.T. Along with the VMAs, MTV offers a lineup of popular reality shows, including Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta, Teen Mom, Jersey Shore, RuPaul’s Drag Race and many more. Whether you’re into drama, competition or following the lives of your favorite personalities, MTV has something for everyone.

No cable? Don’t worry: You can stream the VMAs and all your favorite MTV shows through affordable streaming platforms, often at little to no cost.

Below, Billboard breaks down the current deals and offers available to watch MTV online without cable.

How to Watch MTV Online Without Cable For Free

If you don’t have cable, you can watch the VMAs and other MTV shows online for free or at a lower price with different streaming services such as DIRECTV Stream, Philo, Fubo, Paramount+ and Sling TV. Direct Stream and Philo both offer free trials for up to a week, allowing you to sign up without any initial cost. Scroll down and check out the options below to find the one that works best for you.

Looking for a free option? You can start your five-day free trial with DIRECTV Stream for instant access to more than 90 live channels. Streaming plans include network television channels such as NBC, CBS, Fox and ABC, along with MTV, BET, VH1, TLC, Bravo, WEtv, HGTV, Fx, ESPN, Trvl, TV One, Tru TV, ID, TNT, TV Land, USA and other cable channels.

For those in search of an alternative streaming platform, consider adding Philo. Philo offers 70+ cable channels including MTV, BET, VH1, Lifetime, WEtv, ID, Trvl Channel, OWN, AMC, Comedy Central for $28/month after a 7-day free trial.  

You can also stream all your favorite shows on Sling TV. With Sling Orange, you can stream MTV and other channels for $20 for your first month (regularly $40/month). It includes 34 channels with seven exclusive sports and family channels. Sling Blue is $22.50 for your first month (regularly $45/month), and it includes a total of 46 channels.

Want more ways to stream the 2024 MTV awards and other MTV shows? Watch as soon as it premieres or stream on-demand on platforms like Hulu + Live TV, DirectTV Stream, Philo, fuboTV and Sling TV. If you’re streaming from outside of the U.S., use Express VPN.

If you’re already a subscriber to Paramount+, you can watch shows such as Awk-ward, Beavis and Butt-Head, Couples Retreat, Jersey Shore and more at no extra charge. Not subscribed? Paramount+ is currently offering a seven-day free trial when you sign up for either of its plans: Paramount+ Essential and Paramount+ with Showtime, which means you can watch MTV’s Rupaul’s Drag Race for free.

For those seeking budget-friendly options, the most cost-effective option would be Paramount+ with Showtime. This subscription not only grants access to Paramount+’s extensive library of shows and movies, but also allows streaming of Showtime’s entire catalog for just $11.99 per month after the free trial period ends.