HGTV, which stands for Home & Garden Television, is a pay TV channel that specializes in reality programming related to home improvement and real estate. What started as a basic home-buying and renovation channel has grown over the years into a bona fide empire and become increasingly popular.
Now it delivers top-notch content that is pleasant to leave in the background while you’re going about your business. But it’s also compelling enough to keep you engaged if you want to relax at the end of the day. You can watch HGTV through a cable provider or via the Internet.
Pros and cons
Here’s the good and the bad of HGTV online.
Pros
Stream live content. Watch your favorite shows as they air. The Watch HGTV service displays the local schedule on its site.
Exclusive extras. With the Watch HGTV app, you can watch exclusive content, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
Included with most cable and satellite providers. If you pay for cable or satellite, it’s likely you can access HGTV online using your credentials.
Free content. HGTV releases some of its content for free, if you’re happy to stream some one-off episodes.
Cons
Not a standalone service. To access HGTV without cable or satellite, you need to subscribe to another streaming service that carries HGTV.
Niched streaming. You’ll find little beyond home improvements on HGTV.
How can I access HGTV?
You can watch HGTV on television as long as you’re subscribed to a pay TV package that includes the channel – which is most of them.
You can also watch over the Internet with Watch HGTV, but the service requires you to sign in with your TV provider credentials to watch live. Watch HGTV offers some content for free, no login required, if you want to experience a taste of what the channel has to offer.
Fans can also get the HGTV app and watch content on the go. Both the app and website include a live stream, so you can watch live TV whenever and wherever you want.
But what if you don’t have cable and would still like to enjoy HGTV programming? Your best bet is to subscribe to a streaming service that carries HGTV. Luckily, there are plenty of options available, with prices starting from only $20/month.
Finally, if you’re only interested in certain shows, you can purchase episodes or entire seasons from digital retailers like iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Video, Microsoft Movies & TV, Vudu and FandangoNOW. Many shows are available as soon as the next day after they air.
Can I subscribe to HGTV?
Unfortunately, you can’t subscribe to HGTV directly. You have to get it either through a pay TV provider or streaming service, as mentioned above.
What content is on HGTV?
Watch what you love on the network, from learning how to knock out a pesky wall, to redesigning your backyard space. Here are some popular shows streaming now:
Bargain Mansions
Celebrity IOU
Fixer Upper
Good Bones
House Hunters International
Property Brothers
Flip or Flop
Love It or List It
What features does HGTV online offer?
Use the Watch HGTV website or app to keep up with your favorite show and enjoy features like:
Live TV. You can watch HGTV live from your phone, tablet or laptop. Its website lists what’s on and what’s up next.
On-demand content. The app lets you stream your favorite HGTV shows live or on demand from your smart device. It’s updated daily with the network’s episodes, clips and content.
Watchlists. Subscribe to a series and get updates when new episodes air. Or create your own customized watchlists.
What devices is HGTV compatible with?
You can access Watch HGTV on PC/Mac or with a variety of different devices and platforms, including:
HGTV releases some of its shows online for free, so you can watch older episodes without a subscription. But if you’re looking for archived shows or want the latest releases, HGTV — and its app, Watch HGTV — comes as part of a package from select streaming services.
Hulu $5.99+ monthly
Philo $20+ monthly
Sling TV $30+ monthly
Fubo TV $54.99+ monthly
YouTube $60+ monthly
Vidgo $55+ monthly
Does HGTV have a free trial?
You can’t subscribe to HGTV directly, so technically no. However, you can enjoy a free trial if you subscribe to HGTV through a streaming service:
Hulu – 1 month free trial for basic plan, 7-day trial for Hulu+Live TV
Philo – 7-day free trial
Sling TV – 3-day free trial
Fubo TV – 7-day free trial
YouTube TV – 14-day free trial (varies in length depending on ongoing promotions)
Vidgo – 3-day free trial (varies in length depending on ongoing promotions)
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Case study: Roslyn's experience
Roslyn McKenna
Publisher
I cut the cord several years ago, but I often use the HGTV app at my parents’ house when I visit. I like having access to only the channels I need, especially for shows that are difficult to find on other streaming services.
The HGTV app is easy to use, and its search feature is much better than Netflix. You can watch pretty much any season of any show going back several years. You can also pause, rewind and fast-forward, unlike live TV.
Pro tip: You don’t need cable TV or an HGTV subscription to watch HGTV. HGTV publishes several popular shows online every month, including Fixer Upper and Flip or Flop. Download the HGTV app on your smart TV to watch the latest ones available.
You can’t binge a whole season of Good Bones, but hey — it’s better than nothing. I’ve set up this free version of the app at home, no logins or cable subscriptions required.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, closed captioning is available on most shows.
HGTV has a section of its website dedicated to a TV schedule. The schedule lets you input your timezone to see what is on, and at what time.
You can access some limited shows without logging in with your credentials. But to access specific shows, live content or season series, you’ll need to sign in with your TV provider or streaming service.
You need an Internet connection to stream with Watch HGTV.
Yes. The network is always working on adding new show episodes, and tries to frequently update its available content.
Alexandra Plesa writes about Internet TV for Finder. When she’s not re-watching The West Wing for the 11th time, she likes to scour streaming services for any fascinating underrated gems they have on offer. She’ll never say no to a romantic comedy and she’ll press you to watch BoJack Horseman until you finally give in
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