Anytime you’d channel surf and land on The History Channel, you can be sure you were up for an interesting, educational, and—at times—emotional watch. If the channel wasn't airing documentaries about something as minuscule as an atom and as expansive as the universe, or shows about something as ancient as the Pyramids and as recent as the Civil Rights movement, then it was likely broadcasting addictive reality gems like American Pickers, Pawn Stars, Ancient Aliens, and The Curse of Oak Island.
In the past, you had to have cable to watch History. But now that live TV streaming services have risen in popularity to virtually de-throne cable, you only need an internet connection to watch the channel. In some instances, you don’t even need to pay a dime.
To watch History for free, you can sign up for a free trial offered by one of the live TV streaming services listed below. Take note that a trial usually lasts five to seven days, so unless you want to continue with a paid subscription, you have to cancel the trial before it ends. You can read more about these services in the list below.
Quick answer
You can watch HISTORY live with a free trial on:
- DirecTV Stream
- Philo
- Hulu with Live TV
- Fubo
- Fubo Elite
- Frndly TV
- DirecTVStream Optimo Más
- DirecTV Stream Ultimate
The cheapest service to offer a HISTORY free trial is Frndly TV
Frndly TV costs $6.99/month, making it the most affordable way to stream HISTORY. The second cheapest option is Philo at $28/month.
Our top pick to watch HISTORY with a free trial is DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream also includes ESPN, ABC, TNT, TBS, and Lifetime.
HISTORY Free Trial on DirecTV Stream
Price: $86.99/month • 5 days free trial • Total channels: 75-150+ • On-demand: Yes • DVR limits: Unlimited, 9 mo. expiration • Profiles per account: 5 • Simultaneous at-home streams: 3 • Picture-in-picture: Yes • Multiview: Yes
DirecTV Stream is a streaming service that offers everything from live TV, local channels, on-demand films, sports packages, and even premium cable networks like HBO and Starz for an additional fee. Its plans, which start at $70/month, are on the pricier side of live TV, but that’s because it offers unlimited DVR and streams on top of at least 75 channels, depending on the plan you pick.
DirecTV Stream channel lineup:
A&E, ABC, ACC Network, AccuWeather, AMC, American Heroes, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, Aspire, AXS TV, BabyFirst, BBC America, BBC News, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bounce, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, CNBC, CNBC World, CNN, CNN En Español, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cooking Channel, Cozi TV, daystar, Destination America, Directv 4K, Directv 4K Live 1, Directv 4K Live 2, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, Earthx TV, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FanDuel TV, FM, FMC, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, Fuse, FX, FX Movie Channel, FXX, FYI, Great American Family, Grit, Hallmark Channel, HBO, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, HLN, Hogar de HGTV, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Jewelry TV, Justice Central, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, MeTV, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV2, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, Newsmax, Newsmax TV, NewsNation, NFL Network, NHL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Origin Sports, Ovation, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS Kids, Pop, PowerNation, Pursuit, QVC, QVC2, QVC3, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, Science Channel, Scientology Network, SEC Network, Shop LC, ShortsTV, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, SportsGrid, Sportsman Channel, Starz, Starz Encore, Starz Encore Action, Starz Encore Black, Starz Encore Classic, Starz Encore Family, Starz Encore Suspense, Starz Encore Westerns, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Tennis Channel, The Design Network, The Grio, TLC, TNT, Tru TV, TUDN, TV Land, TV One, TVG, Unimas, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, UPtv, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tvHISTORY Free Trial on Philo
Price: $28/month • 7 days free trial • Total channels: 70+ • On-demand: Yes • DVR limits: Unlimited, 1 yr expiration • Profiles per account: 3 • Simultaneous at-home streams: 3 • Picture-in-picture: Yes • Multiview: No
Philo channel lineup:
A&E, AccuWeather Network, AMC, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, aspireTV, AXS TV, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Catchy Comedy, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, Comedy Central, Cooking Channel, Crackle, Crime-Investigation, Deck the Hallmark, Destination America, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, FETV, Food Network, FYI, Game Show Network, GetTV, Great American Family, Great American Living, Gusto TV, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, IFC, INSP, Investigation Discovery, KIN, Law & Crime, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, MeTV, MotorTrend, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV Live, MTV2, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Oprah Winfrey Network, Paramount Network, PlayersTV, pocket.watch, Pop TV, RetroCrush, REVOLT, Revry, Ryan and Friends, Science Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Start TV, Story Television, Sundance TV, Tastemade, TeenNick, TLC, Travel Channel, TV Land, TV One, UPtv, Vevo 80s, Vevo 90s, Vevo Country, Vevo Hip-Hop, Vevo Holiday, Vevo Pop, VH1, Vice, WE tvHISTORY Free Trial on Hulu with Live TV
Price: $82.99/month • 3 days free trial • Total channels: 85+ • On-demand: Yes • DVR limits: Unlimited, 9 mo. expiration • Profiles per account: 6 • Simultaneous at-home streams: 2 • Picture-in-picture: Yes • Multiview: No
Combining the best of streaming and cable, Hulu with Live TV pairs Hulu’s original programming like Only Murders in the Building, imports like Normal People, and licensed ABC shows like Modern Family with live TV channels like CNN, CBS, and TCM to give you an all-in-one TV package. The plans start at $77/month (with ads), but for an additional fee, you can upgrade to a bundle that removes commercials and throws in Disney+ and ESPN+ to the mix.
Hulu with Live TV channel lineup:
A&E, ABC, ABC Localish, ABC News Live, ACC Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, BET, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg Television, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar News, CMT, CNBC, CNN, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cozi TV, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Discovery en Español, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN College Extra, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox Deportes, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, History, HLN, Investigation Discovery, Justice Central TV, Lifetime, LMN, Localish, Military History Channel, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, NASA, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBC, NBC News Now, NBCLX, NewsNation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, QVC, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, Start TV, SYFY, TBS, TCM, Telemundo, The CW, The Grio, The Weather Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, TV Land, Universal Kids, USA, VH1, ViceHISTORY Free Trial on Fubo
Price: $84.99/month • 7 days free trial • Total channels: 100+ • On-demand: Yes • DVR limits: 1000 hours • Profiles per account: 6 • Simultaneous at-home streams: 3-10 • Picture-in-picture: Yes • Multiview: Yes
Designed for the ultimate sports fan, Fubo is an on-demand and live TV service that streams games from multiple leagues including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and the Premier League. You can get up to 215 live channels on your lineup, which includes coverage on RSNs and local stations, though you might have to pay extra if you want premium entertainment channels like Starz and Showtime.
Fubo channel lineup:
A&E, ABC, ABC News Live, ACC Network, AccuWeather, Animal Planet, Bein Sports, beIN Sports en Español, Big Ten Network, Bounce, Bravo, CBS, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar, CMT, CNBC, Comedy Central, Comet, Court TV, Cozi TV, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, Estrella TV, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, fubo Sports Network, FX, FXX, FYI, Galavision, GetTV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, History, IFC, INSP, Investigation Discovery, ION, Ion Mystery, Local Now, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, National Geographic, NBC, NBCLX, NBCSN, Newsmax, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Olympic Channel, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, RSNs, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SYFY, Tastemade, TBD, Telemundo, The CW, The Weather Channel, TLC, Travel Channel, TUDN, TUDNxtra4, TUDNxtra5, TUDNxtra6, TUDNxtra7, TUDNxtra8, TUDNxtra9, TV Land, TVG, Unimas, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tv, WGN AmericaHISTORY Free Trial on Fubo Elite
Price: $89.99/month • 7 days free trial • Total channels: 200+ • On-demand: Yes • DVR limits: 1000 hours • Profiles per account: 6 • Simultaneous at-home streams: 5 • Picture-in-picture: Yes • Multiview: Yes
If you're a sports fan looking to cover all your bases, Fubo Elite has more than 256 channels and 130 live events that cover sports of all kinds, from basketball to cricket to golf. Channels include ESPN, CBS Sports Network, FS1 and FS2, beIN Sports, NFL Network, all the BIG Networks, and more. Depending on where you live, you should also have all the major local networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Even though Fubo Elite is a notch above the basic tier, with unlimited DVR and simultaneous screens, it still notably does not have Turner channels like CNN, TNT, and TBS.
Fubo Elite channel lineup:
A&E, ABC, ABC News Live, ACC Network, AccuWeather, Bein Sports, Bein Sports 4, Bein sports 5, Bein Sports 6, Bein Sports 7, Bein Sports 8, beIN Sports en Español, Big Ten Network, Bravo, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar, CMT, CNBC, Comedy Central, Comet, Cozi TV, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Estrella TV, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, fubo Sports Network, FX, FXX, FYI, Galavision, GetTV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Family, Hallmark Mystery, History, IFC, Ion Mystery, Local Now, MASN, MSNBC, MTV, National Geographic, NBC, NBC local channels, NBCLX, NBCSN, Newsmax, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Olympic Channel, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, RSNs, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SYFY, Tastemade, Telemundo, Telemundo local channels, The CW, The Weather Channel, Travel Channel, TUDN, TUDNxtra1, TUDNxtra10, TUDNxtra11, TUDNxtra2, TUDNxtra3, TUDNxtra4, TUDNxtra5, TUDNxtra6, TUDNxtra7, TUDNxtra8, TUDNxtra9, TV Land, TVG, Unimas, Unimas local channels, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, Univision local channels, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tv, WGN America, Willow TV, YES NetworkHISTORY Free Trial on Frndly TV
Price: $6.99/month • 7 days free trial • Total channels: 40+ • On-demand: Yes • DVR limits: Unlimited, 9 mo. expiration • Profiles per account: 5 • Simultaneous at-home streams: 3 • Picture-in-picture: No • Multiview: No
True to its name, Frndly TV is an on-demand and live TV streaming service that’s friendly both on the wallet and for viewers of all ages. At just $7/month, it offers more than 40 live channels, including The History Channel, Hallmark, and The Weather Channel, plus DVR and lookback features and multiple profile options. It’s ideal for those looking for a wholesome, family-friendly streaming experience.
Frndly TV channel lineup:
A&E, AccuWeather, BabyFirst, BYUtv, Circle, Court TV, Crime-Investigation, Curiosity Channel, DECADES, Dove Channel, Dove Family Movies, Dove Kids, FETV, FMC, FYI, Game Show Network, GetTV, Great American Family, Great American Living, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Heartland TV, Heroes & Icons, History, INSP, ION, Ion Mystery, Justice Central TV, Laff, Lifetime, LMN, Local Now, MeTV, Military History Channel, Outdoor Channel, Pixel, QVC, Recipe.TV, Sportsman Channel, Start TV, Story Television, The Weather Channel, UPtv, Vice, World Fishing NetworkHISTORY Free Trial on DirecTVStream Optimo Más
Price: $79.99/month • 5 days free trial • Total channels: 100+ • On-demand: Yes • DVR limits: Unlimited, 9 mo. expiration • Profiles per account: 5 • Simultaneous at-home streams: 3 • Picture-in-picture: Yes • Multiview: Yes
DirecTVStream's Spanish-language plan boasts a hundred channels, including major networks like Univision and Telemundo in select markets, and plenty of Hispanicized favorites like Nat Geo Mundo, CNN es Español, and Hogar de HGTV. At $80/month, Optimo Más is a lot pricer than other Spanish plans like Fubo Latino, which goes for about $35/month, but it generally has more channels (in Spanish and English alike) and offers great features like three simultaneous streams and unlimited DVR. Unlike with DirecTV cable, you can easily cancel your subscription with the contract-less Optimo Más if you're not satisfied.
DirecTVStream Optimo Más channel lineup:
¡HOLA! TV, A&E, AccuWeather, AMC, Animal Planet, Antena 3, Atres Cine, ATRES SERIES, AXS TV, BabyFirst, BabyTV, Bandamax, Boomerang, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Canal 22 Internacional, Caracol TV, Cartoon Network, Centroamérica TV, Cine Estelar, Cine Mexicano, Cine Nostalgia, Cine Sony, Cinelatino, CNN, CNN En Español, CNNi, De Película, De Película Clásico, Discovery, Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia, Disney Channel, Disney XD, E!, Ecuador TV, Ecuavisa Internacional, Enlace, ESPN Deportes, Estrella News, Estrella TV, Food Network, FOROtv, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports 1, Freeform, FX, FXX, Galavisión, GolTV, Great American Family, History, History en Español, HITN TV, HLN, Hogar de HGTV, HSN, Jewelry TV, Lifetime, Meganoticias, MegaTV, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, Multimedios, Nat Geo Mundo, National Geographic, Nickelodeon, NTN24, Nuestra Tele, Nuestra Vision, ONCE MEXICO, Paramount TV, Pasiones, PBS Kids, Perú Mágico, QVC, QVC2, Scientology Network, Shop LC, SUR Perú, TBS, TeenNick, TeleCentro, Telefe, Telemundo, TNT, Tr3s, TUDN, TV Chile, TVE, TyC Sports, UniMás, Universo, Univision, UPtv, USA Network, VePlus, VH1, Vice, VideoRola, ViendoMovies, Vme, WAPA América 414, Weather Channel, ZooMooHISTORY Free Trial on DirecTV Stream Ultimate
Price: $109.99/month • 5 days free trial • Total channels: 140+ • On-demand: Yes • DVR limits: Unlimited, 9 mo. expiration • Profiles per account: 5 • Simultaneous at-home streams: Unlimited • Picture-in-picture: Yes • Multiview: Yes
DirecTV Stream Ultimate is the second-biggest package offered by DirecTV Stream. With it, you get up to 160 channels (up 40 channels from the previous tier) across entertainment, sports, and news. That’s almost any channel you can think of—from TBS and USA; to ESPN and CBS Sports; to CNN and BBC News; and so much more. You get it all, plus tens of thousands of on-demand titles for the price of $109.99/month (saving you roughly $40/month from the package after it), so if the budget allows, it's worth trying the Ultimate plan yourself.
DirecTV Stream Ultimate channel lineup:
A&E, ABC, ACC Network, AccuWeather, AMC, American Heroes, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, Aspire, AXS TV, BabyFirst, BBC America, BBC News, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bounce, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, CNBC, CNBC World, CNN, CNN En Español, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cooking Channel, Cozi TV, daystar, Destination America, Directv 4K, Directv 4K Live 1, Directv 4K Live 2, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, Earthx TV, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FanDuel TV, FM, FMC, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, Fuse, FX, FX Movie Channel, FXX, FYI, Great American Family, Grit, Hallmark Channel, HBO, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, HLN, Hogar de HGTV, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Jewelry TV, Justice Central, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, MeTV, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV2, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, Newsmax, Newsmax TV, NewsNation, NFL Network, NHL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Origin Sports, Ovation, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS Kids, Pop, PowerNation, Pursuit, QVC, QVC2, QVC3, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, Science Channel, Scientology Network, SEC Network, Shop LC, ShortsTV, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, SportsGrid, Sportsman Channel, Starz, Starz Encore, Starz Encore Action, Starz Encore Black, Starz Encore Classic, Starz Encore Family, Starz Encore Suspense, Starz Encore Westerns, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Tennis Channel, The Design Network, The Grio, TLC, Tru TV, TUDN, TV Land, TV One, TVG, Unimas, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, UPtv, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tvCan you get a HISTORY free trial with Philo?
Possible. You can get a HISTORY free trial with Philo. Philo offers a 7 day trial for HISTORY, after which you will be charged $28/month.
Visit PhiloCan you get a HISTORY free trial with Amazon Prime?
Not Possible. Amazon Prime does offer a free trial but it unfortunately it does not carry HISTORY.
Can you get a HISTORY free trial with Fubo?
Possible. You can get a HISTORY free trial with Fubo. Fubo offers a 7 day trial for HISTORY, after which you will be charged $84.99/month.
Visit FuboCan you get a HISTORY free trial with Hulu with Live TV?
Possible. You can get a HISTORY free trial with Hulu with Live TV. Hulu with Live TV offers a 3 day trial for HISTORY, after which you will be charged $82.99/month.
Visit Hulu with Live TVCan you get a HISTORY free trial with YouTube TV?
Not Possible. YouTube TV does offer a free trial but it unfortunately it does not carry HISTORY.
Can you get a HISTORY free trial with Peacock?
Not Possible. Peacock does not carry HISTORY and does not offer a trial.
Can you get a HISTORY free trial with Paramount+?
Not Possible. Paramount+ does offer a free trial but it unfortunately it does not carry HISTORY.
Can you get a HISTORY free trial with Frndly TV?
Possible. You can get a HISTORY free trial with Frndly TV. Frndly TV offers a 7 day trial for HISTORY, after which you will be charged $6.99/month.
Visit Frndly TVCan you get a HISTORY free trial with DirecTV Stream?
Possible. You can get a HISTORY free trial with DirecTV Stream. DirecTV Stream offers a 5 day trial for HISTORY, after which you will be charged $86.99/month.
Visit DirecTV StreamCan you get a HISTORY free trial with Sling TV?
Not Possible. Sling TV carries HISTORY but does not offer a free trial.