You do not need a cable or satellite package to watch RFD-TV. The full live channel is available through RFD+, Sling TV, and DIRECTV in the United States.
The channel is a cable network, so you will not receive it with an antenna. There is also no permanent free stream of the complete channel.
Paid options to watch RFD-TV without cable
All three services provide the RFD-TV live feed. Your best choice depends on whether you only want RFD-TV or need it inside a larger channel package.
1. RFD+
RFD+ is the cheapest way to stream RFD-TV live without cable. It is the network’s official streaming service and costs:
- $9.99 per month
- $89.99 per year
Your subscription includes the 24-hour RFD-TV live stream and an on-demand library. You could watch agriculture news, commodity market reports, rural lifestyle programs, horse shows, tractor programs, and country music.
Current shows include Market Day Report, Rural Evening News, Ag PhD, FarmHer + RanchHer, The American Rancher, Opry Live, and The Dailey & Vincent Show. Not every past season or episode is available on demand.
This service is best when RFD-TV is the only paid channel you need. You do not have to pay for news, sports, movie, or local stations that you will not watch.
RFD+ is separate from Cowboy+. An RFD+ subscription does not automatically include The Cowboy Channel or every live rodeo event.
Pros:
- It is the cheapest monthly way to watch RFD-TV online.
- You receive the live channel and an on-demand library.
- The annual plan saves almost $30.
- You do not need another live TV package.
Cons:
- You only receive RFD-TV programming.
- A cloud DVR is not included.
- The Cowboy Channel and some rodeo coverage require separate access.
2. Sling TV
Sling offers the cheapest multi-channel package with RFD-TV. You need Sling Essentials and the Heartland Extra add-on:
- Sling Essentials: $19.99 per month
- Heartland Extra: $6 per month
- Total cost: $25.99 per month
RFD-TV is not included in Sling Essentials by itself. You must select Heartland Extra during checkout or add it through your account.
Heartland Extra also carries rural, outdoor, and family channels. These are The Cowboy Channel, INSP, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, Great American Family, and PixL.
Sling Essentials adds ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel, Freeform, Game Show Network, Grit, MeTV, and several other channels. Our guide to Sling Essentials and its main limitations explains what the base plan includes.
Pros:
- It is the cheapest option with RFD-TV and other live channels.
- Heartland Extra includes several rural and outdoor networks.
- You receive 50 hours of DVR storage.
Cons:
- RFD-TV requires the $6 Heartland Extra add-on.
- There is no standard free trial.
3. DIRECTV
DIRECTV carries RFD-TV through its MyEntertainment Genre Pack. This is the cheapest DIRECTV option for the channel and costs $42.99 per month plus tax.
The package includes more than 60 live channels. Its lineup covers entertainment and lifestyle networks such as A&E, AMC, Bravo, Discovery Channel, Food Network, FX, HGTV, Lifetime, TLC, and The History Channel.
You also receive separate access to:
- AMC+ Monthly with Ads
- HBO Max Basic with Ads
- Disney+
- Hulu with ads
These subscriptions require activation. Adding them through DIRECTV does not cancel any accounts you already pay for, so cancel duplicate subscriptions yourself if needed.
DIRECTV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage. You also get unlimited streams on your home network and up to three streams away from home. RFD-TV appears on channel 345 in the DIRECTV guide.
Pros:
- RFD-TV is included without a separate channel add-on.
- You receive more than 60 entertainment and lifestyle channels.
- Unlimited DVR and generous streaming limits suit larger households.
- Eligible new subscribers receive a five-day trial.
Cons:
- It costs more than RFD+ or Sling.
- The included streaming apps require separate activation.
- It is poor value when you only want RFD-TV.