How to watch TNT without cable: Live stream NBA, Unrivaled, and more

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

TNT is a bonafide sports hub, but the network has also become known for its catalog of critically-acclaimed movies and classic TV reruns. Whether you're a basketball fan trying to stream a game or an insomniac hoping to catch a crime drama rerun at 2 a.m., we'll show you how to watch TNT without cable.

TNT is best known for its NBA on TNT coverage, which has offered exclusive basketball games since 1989, just a year after the network debuted. Games are available on Tuesday and Thursday nights during the regular season, as is Inside the NBA, at least until the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season. In addition to NBA games, TNT (and truTV) will broadcast the newly minted Unrivaled league. The women's 3v3 basketball league, co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, will tip off in January 2025. The network (along with TBS) also airs select MLB and NHL coverage.

If you're watching TNT in the off-season or during the afternoon, there's a pretty good chance you can catch a blockbuster, often from Warner Bros., like The Suicide Squad or one of The Conjuring movies. From around 2005 to 2020, TNT was rife with original TV programming, including hits like Rizzoli & Isles, Animal Kingdom, and Major Crimes. Now, the network is best known for its reruns (especially late at night) of beloved crime and supernatural shows, including NCIS: New Orleans and Charmed.

Below, we've compiled everything you need to know about tuning into TNT without cable in the US. You'll most likely need to subscribe to a month-to-month live streaming package, but select sporting events are also available for as little as $10 on Max. Every service we've highlighted made our list of the best sports streaming services.

Sling TV

For cord-cutters, Sling TV is the cheapest way to get 24/7 live streaming access to TNT. Sling has two main plans, Blue and Orange, which both include TNT in their lineup. Sling Orange also offers the ESPN family of channels, while Sling Blue carries select local networks. There is overlap between the two plans, including TNT, but choosing one or the other ultimately comes down to what you're looking for in a streaming service. Sling was named best for the essentials in our guide to the best live TV streaming services. Each plan costs $40 a month (although you can bundle them for $55) and includes 35-43 live channels. Sling is usually running a promo that will knock half off your first month of service.

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream is one of the most comprehensive cable alternatives out there. The streaming service offers TNT and 90+ channels in its base Entertainment plan, which goes for $87/month. The service offers almost all of the channels you'd find in a classic cable package under a month-to-month plan with no hardware (although you can find some savings by committing to a long-term contract). Additional channels are available through upgrades, including the Choice, Ultimate, and Premier packages. New customers can get a five-day free trial to decide if the service is right for them.

Max

If you're only interested in the sports aspect of TNT, you most likely won't need a live TV package. TNT's sports coverage – including NBA, MLB, and NHL – is available to live stream on Max. Live sports were introduced to the service, which started as HBO's streaming counterpart, in 2023 as part of the B/R Sports Add-on. The add-on will eventually cost an additional $10 monthly fee, but for now, it's automatically included with every subscription.

Max plans start at $10 a month for the ad-supported tier, but you can upgrade to get ad-free on-demand content or 4K viewing capabilities. Max also offers annual plans, saving you some cash in the long run, starting at $100 a year. Max is also the most likely place to find old TNT original TV series on-demand.