Although it isn’t quite the independent film hub that was in the beginning, IFC is still a great channel for film buffs. And thankfully, it’s pretty easy to get access to without cable. Read on to learn how!
In a hurry? IFC isn’t as broadly available as some channels but there are still a number of top choices. Here are our favorites:
- DIRECTV STREAM: Makes it easy to switch from cable to streaming with their 75+ channel Entertainment plan and options for much more. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
- Sling TV: The top low-cost streaming service provides a great base channel lineup in both its plans. Save 50% your first month with Sling TV.
- Philo: This service gives you 70+ live TV channel for just $25/mo!
If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, try ExpressVPN to get access to the content you deserve.
Table Of Contents
If you like programming that tends to be on the unconventional side, you will enjoy watching IFC. Although this channel still produces and showcases independent films and documentaries, it has largely abandoned its original format in favor of sketch comedy, talk, and similar types of shows.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of this channel, a few of its more popular programs, and how you can watch them without the need for a cable subscription.
What Is IFC?
In 1994, the Independent Film Channel (IFC) was officially spun off from Bravo. It was intended as a hub for independent content creators. By 2001, the channel largely went by IFC in most of its marketing materials.
Over the next decade, the channel started its shift to a format featuring a mixture of off-color comedy and horror content. In 2011, IFC owner Rainbow Media became its own company called AMC Networks. In 2014, AMC Networks announced that the channel would be rebranded as IFC.
IFC Programming
While IFC has a lot of quality programming to offer viewers, many of its shows are no longer in production or were acquired from other networks. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top shows that you are encouraged to check out first if you’re new to IFC.
- Portlandia: This sketch comedy program generally made fun of the idea that everyone in Oregon’s largest city is a hipster or is otherwise part of a counterculture. Veteran comedians Fred Armisten and Carrie Brownstein created the show, and it won a Peabody Award during its eight seasons on IFC.
- Comedy Bang! Bang!: This program presents sketches, spoof interviews, and other content using a faux talk show format. Adapted from a podcast by Scott Aukerman, it continued to make new episodes for IFC until 2016.
- Brockmire: A traditional comedy, it follows the adventures of a former Kansas City Royals play-by-play announcer trying to resurrect his career following a public outburst. Throughout most of the show, the titular character calls games for a minor league team in Pennsylvania before eventually moving to New Orleans. The show came to an end in May 2020.
- Stan Against Evil: A horror-comedy that sees two police officers coming together to battle demons threatening to take over their town. This program ran for three seasons between 2016 and 2018.
- Bunk: Comedians complete a series of challenges such as shaming puppies and coming up with new movie ideas to win prizes awarded by host Kurt Braunohler. There are 10 episodes available for streaming on IFC.com.
If you are interested in shows that are still airing new episodes, you should watch comedies Sherman’s Showcase and Documentary Now. They are currently slated for renewal by the network and are both scheduled to air new episodes at some point in 2022. In addition, Slo Pitch is expected to debut its second season in June 2022.
Unblock Your Favorite Movies and Shows With a VPN
If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, a VPN will allow you to get the access you are entitled to, plus extra security and unequalled privacy. Check out our VPN Guide for everything you need to know, including our top pick ExpressVPN.
Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
Stream IFC
Two of the biggest live TV streaming services, FuboTV and Hulu + Live TV, do not offer IFC. But many others do.
- Philo: This platform is ideal if you just want to watch your favorite channels without spending a lot of money. You get IFC, Comedy Central and more than 65 others for $25/mo. No sports or local channels, but at that price, why not? Comes with unlimited cloud DVR and streaming on 3 devices. (Philo review)
- Sling TV: Known for offering flexibility and affordability. You can get IFC for $40.00/mo through the Sling Blue or Sling Orange base plans. You can get both for $55.00/mo. Comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR. Sling Blue allows you to stream on up to 3 devices at once. (Sling TV review)
- DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV): For $79.99/mo, you can get IFC and roughly 80 other channels. It is the easiest service to migrate to if you are leaving your current cable or satellite provider. Regional sports networks (RSNs) and other premium channels are available with upgrades. All plans come with unlimited cloud DVR storage (online sign-up only) and simultaneous streaming on unlimited devices. (DIRECTV STREAM review)
- YouTube TV: For $72.99/mo, you’ll get 100+ channels such as IFC, ESPN and CNN. It comes with unlimited cloud DVR and streaming on up to 3 devices.
- AMC+: Starting at $6.99/mo, you’ll have a chance to watch most IFC shows on an on-demand basis. It also comes with subscriptions for Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC Films Unlimited (see below). You will also be able to watch content from networks such as BBC America and AMC.
IFC Films Unlimited
IFC Films Unlimited is a subscription on-demand movie platform. There are more than 500 films available on the platform at any time. The selection features most genres and tends toward the more unusual.
You can subscribe to it through Sling TV, YouTube TV, and AMC+.
Superpower Your Live TV Streaming With a VPN
You can’t beat a VPN for privacy, security, and access. We have used them for years as an important part of our streaming toolkit and we recommend ExpressVPN. Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
| i | See our VPN Buyer’s Guide for complete information on how to choose the best VPN for your needs. |
TVs and Devices to Live Stream IFC
Most popular devices can be used to stream IFC. All the ones we’ve discussed support these:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Android mobile
- Chromecast
- iOS devices
- Roku
- Web browsers.
Other than Philo, they all support Samsung smart TVs. And other than DIRECTV STREAM, they support TVs built to the Android TV standard. Smart TVs from LG and VIZIO and gaming systems from Xbox are supported by Sling and YouTube.
If you don’t see a device listed here, it may still be supported. Our streaming service reviews for the complete lists.
Today’s IFC Schedule
Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:
| Two and a Half Men – Dial 1-900-Mix-A-Lot Gretchen insists that Alan reveal his true identity to Larry; Walden, Barry and Jenny go on a road trip. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Sports Buddies Angela's new boyfriend spends more time watching sports than romancing her. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Requiem Tony remembers his father as he sorts through family memorabilia. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Samantha's Growing Up Tony asks Angela and Mona to help maturing Sam. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Paint Your Wagon A gorgeous neighbor offers disgruntled Tony a job. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Protecting the President A scheming co-worker jeopardizes Angela's job. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Guess Who's Coming Forever Angela transforms the garage loft into an apartment for Mona. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Angela's Ex The return of Angela's estranged husband puts their divorce plans on hold. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Angela's Ex The romance begins to fade for Angela and her estranged husband. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Eye on Angela A TV talk show host catches Angela and Tony in a compromising position. Guest: Betty White. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Double Date Samantha catches chaperon Tony nuzzling a teacher. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Tony's Father-In-Law Tony's con-man father-in-law pretends to be dying. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Just Like Tony Tony lands in the doghouse when Jonathan pulls a boyish prank. | |
| Who's the Boss? – Keeping Up With the Marcis Tony sweeps chimneys to pay for Sam's ski trip. | |
| Who's the Boss? – First Kiss Hungover Angela recalls Tony's kiss -- but no more. | |
| Who's the Boss? – It Happened One Summer Tony and Angela relive old memories when they hike a mountain to Kissing Rock. | |
| Who's the Boss? – It Happened One Summer A raging thunderstorm at Kissing Rock forces Angela and Tony to spend the night at a secluded motel. | |
| Three's Company – The Best of Three's Company - Part One Lucille Ball is the host of this retrospective of the best scenes from the series' previous episodes. | |
| Three's Company – The Best of Three's Company - Part 2 Lucille Ball is the host of this retrospective of the best scenes from the series' previous episodes. | |
| Three's Company – Jack Goes to the Dentist Terri's boyfriend thinks Jack is the reason behind their breakup. | |
| Three's Company – Diamond Jack A jewel-thief date thinks Jack is a fence. | |
| Three's Company – Jack Gets His Jack is the victim of a con game when he rents a decrepit restaurant. | |
| Three's Company – Extra, Extra A newspaper article implies the trio's living arrangement is more than a practical one. | |
| Three's Company – A Night Not to Remember Jack strikes out as Janet's chaperon when he gets drunk and falls asleep. | |
| Three's Company – Opening Night Jack and the crew are all set for the restaurant's opening night. | |
| Three's Company – Cousin, Cuisine Chaos results when Jack romances a Mexican girl. | |
| Three's Company – The Brunch Jack hosts a Sunday brunch to convince a neighborhood clergyman that the bistro is really a respectable place. | |
| Three's Company – An Affair to Forget Jack dates one of Janet's friends from high school, unaware that she is married. | |
| Three's Company – The Impossible Dream The Bistro's new guitarist has a singer, Larry. | |
| Three's Company – Breaking Up Is Hard to Do Furley learns that Terri's boyfriend is a convicted murderer. | |
| Three's Company – Going to Pot Jack is outraged by a building inspector's demand for a bribe. | |
| Three's Company – Bob and Carol and Larry and Terri A rumor spreads that Carol and Bob's marriage is on the rocks. | |
| Three's Company – Larry's Sister Larry becomes overprotective of his sister when he lets Jack show her around town. | |
| Everybody Loves Raymond – The Ingrate Ray receives an honorary doctorate and forgets to mention Debra in his acceptance speech. | |
| Everybody Loves Raymond – Crazy Chin Robert becomes defensive when Amy's parents (Fred Willard and Georgia Engel) point out his habit of touching food to his chin before eating it; Amy devises a plan to break Robert of his strange habit. | |
| Everybody Loves Raymond – The Nice Talk While assembling a 500-piece puzzle late into the night, Ray and Amy's mother (Georgia Engel) trade stories about themselves and their families. | |
| Everybody Loves Raymond – Blabbermouths Ray gets upset when he learns that Debra has been sharing their intimate secrets with her friends. | |
| Two and a Half Men – He Smelled the Ham, He Got Excited When Evelyn offers to pay for Jake's college education, Alan wonders if he ever needs to work again. | |
| Two and a Half Men – The Devil's Lube When one of Charlie's old partners in crime dies, Charlie re-evaluates his own reckless lifestyle. | |
| Two and a Half Men – Thank God for Scoliosis Charlie and Jake fight for the affections of a waitress, while Alan fights sexual tension with his receptionist. | |
| Two and a Half Men – I Think You Offended Don Judith is pregnant with a baby girl, and Alan is convinced he is the father; Jake is in a contentious mood, and Charlie thinks he knows why. | |
| Two and a Half Men – David Copperfield Slipped Me a Roofie Convinced that Alan is not appreciated by his family, Melissa asks him to live with her and her mother. | |
| Two and a Half Men – I'd Like to Start With the Cat In an attempt to prove he has changed from his old self, Charlie agrees to go with Chelsea to couples counseling. | |
| In the Kitchen With Harry Hamlin – The King of Bolognese Harry may be the King of Bolognese in his household, but Renee's got a new twist on her uncle's famous recipe; can Harry win guests Lisa Rinna and Bobby Moynihan over with the tip Chuck Woolery gave him. | |
| Two and a Half Men – She'll Still Be Dead at Halftime Charlie rushes to get a half-naked woman out of his bedroom before Chelsea (Jennifer Taylor) arrives. | |
| Two and a Half Men – The Ocu or the Pado? When Charlie swears his love to Chelsea (Jennifer Taylor), her response is nothing like what he'd expected. | |
| Two and a Half Men – My Son's Enormous Head Charlie fights the overwhelming urge to flee when Chelsea gets sick and he is forced to take care of her. | |
| Two and a Half Men – Oh, WALD-E, Good Times Ahead Alan must face the consequences after revealing his identity to Larry. | |
| Two and a Half Men – A Chic Bar in Ibiza Alan has second thoughts about getting married after he's asked to sign a pre-nup. |
Wrapping Up
IFC offers a combination of horror and comedy shows with a dash of independent films and documentaries to round the channel’s programming.
It is available through a number streaming services, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find a platform that meets your needs and budget. We recommend Sling TV for IFC but if you don’t need a live stream, AMC+ is a great deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IFC have any new shows?
Aside from Sherman’s Showcase, Documentary Now, and Slo Pitch, IFC does not have much original programming. However, the Baroness Von Sketch Show recently finished up its run in 2021 if you are looking for shows that are still relatively new despite being out of production. And it is likely IFC will produce more original content in the future.
Is there a Canadian version of IFC?
Until 2019, there was a Canadian version of IFC that was owned by Corus Entertainment. This entity licensed the IFC name from AMC during the majority of its 18 years on the air. A number of mainstream shows such as Game of Thrones and Californication were also broadcast on this channel.
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