How Much Does TBS Subscription Cost?

Published on October 21, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow - Economic & Pricing Investigator | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Educational content; not financial advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rates, fees, taxes, and terms with providers or official sources.

TBS is a U.S. entertainment and sports channel from Warner Bros. Discovery that you access through a bundle, either streaming or traditional pay TV. For cord-cutters, the most common routes are YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and DIRECTV STREAM, all of which authenticate the TBS app for on-the-go watching with your bundle login. That means your subscription cost is the bundle’s monthly rate plus any taxes and add-ons.

Those bundles differ a lot, and prices move, sometimes with short promo windows. On top of the sticker price, some cities and states apply streaming taxes, and some services charge regional sports fees for plans that include RSNs, so a Chicago viewer will likely pay more than someone in Phoenix on the same base plan. We normalize everything to USD and flag where taxes or fees might apply; see Chicago’s 10.25% streaming amusement tax.

Article Insights

• You cannot buy TBS by itself; you get it inside a live-TV bundle or cable/satellite package.
• Cheapest common streaming route is Sling at $45.99 monthly, then YouTube TV at $82.99, Hulu + Live TV at $82.99 today rising to $89.99 on October 21, and DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment at $89.99 list.
• Taxes and fees may raise the out-the-door price, including Chicago’s 10.25% streaming tax and DIRECTV STREAM’s RSN fee up to $17.99 for higher tiers (see DIRECTV fee schedule).
• Fubo and Philo do not include TBS, so they are not viable sources for the channel (see TV Guide’s explainer).
• Rotate services around sports seasons or use short promo windows to trim annual spend by double digits; watch streaming deals.

How Much Does TBS Subscription Cost?

TBS subscription cost ranges from $45,00 up to $89,99 per month.

Here are the current typical monthly prices to get TBS via major U.S. live TV streamers, as of October 2025. YouTube TV lists $82.99. Hulu + Live TV is $82.99 today with an announced rise to $89.99 on October 21, 2025 (see Hulu pricing). Sling Orange or Sling Blue runs $45.99 each, or $60.99 for the combined Orange & Blue. DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment advertises $89.99 list with periodic intro discounts. For YouTube TV’s overview, start at tv.youtube.com.

Annual prepay is not common for these bundles, but short promos and trials show up seasonally. Taxes vary by locale, and DIRECTV STREAM’s Choice and above add a Regional Sports Fee up to $17.99 per month in many ZIP codes, which does not apply to the Entertainment tier yet still affects your effective price if you move up for RSNs. Sling’s DVR is “unlimited” for an extra $5 per month, while YouTube TV includes unlimited DVR at the base rate (see fee details).

For example, DIRECTV STREAM includes TBS in its channel lineup with subscription packages starting at $84.99 per month for the Entertainment package, going up to $164.99 per month for the Premier package. Sling TV offers TBS in its Blue and Orange packages starting at $23 for the first month, then renewing at about $45.99 per month. Alternatively, the Orange + Blue combo provides access to TBS at $30.50 for the first month and renews at $60.99 monthly. (See guides from TV Guide and seasonal offers on Sling deals.)

Hulu + Live TV also carries TBS and offers subscription tiers starting at $81.99 per month with ads, including Disney+ and ESPN+, and $95.99 per month for a no-ads plan. This service provides access to over 90 channels, along with unlimited DVR space and on-demand content. Hulu Live TV is especially popular for those who want a full cable replacement experience alongside TBS (see Hulu’s cost page).

For viewers looking for budget-friendly options, Sling TV remains the go-to choice, with initial discounts and lower starting prices. Services generally require internet access and support streaming on various devices, such as smart TVs, mobile devices, and streaming sticks. These streaming options provide flexible contract terms and cancel-anytime plans, differing significantly from traditional cable subscriptions (see overviews from Flixed and Rolling Stone).

Real-Life Cost Examples

Solo cord-cutter in Kansas City who mostly watches TBS comedies picks Sling Blue. First month promo drops it to $23 then it renews at $45.99, they add unlimited DVR for $5, so their month two bill is $50.99 before any state sales tax. It is lean and it works (see Sling promotions).

Family of four in Phoenix wants profiles, big DVR, and multiview for sports. YouTube TV at $82.99 covers TBS plus unlimited DVR and three base streams, with the option to add 4K Plus for more concurrent home streams. Their steady bill is $82.99 plus applicable tax and any add-ons (overview at tv.youtube.com).

Chicago sports fan aiming for March hoops and MLB on TBS chooses Hulu + Live TV. At $82.99 now and $89.99 after October 21, the city’s 10.25% amusement tax pushes the effective monthly to roughly $91.50 now and about $99.20 after the increase, before optional Unlimited Screens at $9.99 (see Hulu + Live TV).

Small studio in Dallas bundles DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment at $89.99 during a promo period that starts lower for the first month then steps up, confirming TBS is included in Entertainment on DIRECTV’s current lineup pages.

Cost Breakdown

Base subscription is your headline line item. As of October 2025, YouTube TV is $82.99, Hulu + Live TV sits at $82.99 with an announced move to $89.99, Sling Orange or Blue is $45.99 each or $60.99 combined, and DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment is $89.99 list with rotating new-customer credits.

Add-ons and fees come next. Sling’s unlimited DVR is $5 monthly, Hulu’s Unlimited Screens is $9.99 (details at Hulu Help), and DIRECTV STREAM’s Choice and above plans can include a Regional Sports Fee up to $17.99 depending on ZIP. App-store billing and third-party resellers sometimes affect promo eligibility, and local digital taxes can add a few percent.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Provider choice drives the biggest swing, followed by DVR needs and simultaneous streams. Sling is cheapest on paper for TBS access, YouTube TV costs more but includes unlimited DVR and six household accounts, and DIRECTV STREAM often sits on the higher end for Entertainment, especially if you later move up to a tier with RSNs and a regional fee. Balance features against the shows and games you actually watch.

Devices and profiles matter. Sling Blue allows up to three streams, Orange only one, Orange & Blue allows four on overlapping channels (plan overview at Sling Orange & Blue), YouTube TV allows three base streams with an upgrade for unlimited at home, and Hulu + Live TV supports two streams unless you add Unlimited Screens. Your household’s device mix can quietly change your effective plan price (see Sling’s note on multiple screens).

Alternative Products or Services

Four big live-TV bundles carry TBS today for cord-cutters. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV lean into breadth and unlimited DVR, Sling focuses on price with lighter lineups, and DIRECTV STREAM mirrors traditional cable features with more genre packs and upsells. Philo does not carry TBS. Fubo does not carry Turner networks, so you will not find TBS there (background from TV Guide).

Select sports on TBS are sometimes simulcast on Max with the B/R Sports Add-On, which can be cheaper month-to-month when you only need event windows. It is not a full TBS linear feed, but it can be a strategic short-term alternative for playoffs and special events (see AP coverage). Timing matters.

Ways to Spend Less

Rotate. Many households subscribe during sports seasons, then cancel and switch when the calendar slows, using Sling’s lower base price for comedy blocks and YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV during March college hoops, NBA playoffs, or MLB postseason. This is simple calendar math that cuts annual spend (deal tracking via TechRadar and Sling’s short passes like the Week Pass).

Trim add-ons. Sling’s base DVR might be enough, YouTube TV’s unlimited DVR is already included, Hulu’s Unlimited Screens is optional, and DIRECTV STREAM’s higher tiers add RSNs with an extra monthly fee in many markets. Avoid stacking upgrades you rarely use—Sling’s shift to unlimited DVR pricing was covered by The Verge.

Expert Insights & Tips

Cord-cutting analysts have flagged a steady pattern in 2024–2025 where base plan prices rise while providers dangle larger short-term discounts. Watch your renewal emails and calendar the end dates because auto-renew at the non-promo rate is the default. A quick chat with support can sometimes extend an offer.

Provider reps often advise picking for reliability and stream limits first, content second, and nice-to-haves last. If your household regularly needs four or more streams, YouTube TV with the 4K Plus add-on or a Hulu Unlimited Screens bundle could be cheaper than paying for two overlapping services. Read the stream and device rules before you buy (YouTube TV’s offer terms are a good reference).

Total Costs

Year-round viewers who keep TBS access 12 months a year will spend around $551.88 on Sling Orange or Blue at $45.99 monthly before taxes, $995.88 on YouTube TV at $82.99, roughly $995.88 on Hulu + Live TV at $82.99 before its scheduled increase, and $1,079.88 on DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment at $89.99 ignoring promos. Hardware like a streaming stick adds $30–$50 amortized (e.g., Roku players).

That total can rise with taxes, RSN fees on higher DIRECTV STREAM tiers, or add-ons like Sling’s $5 unlimited DVR or Hulu’s $9.99 Unlimited Screens. If you rotate services, your annual spend can drop by 30–50% without losing TBS during the months you care about.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

A few cities tax streaming specifically. Chicago’s amusement tax is 10.25% on electronically delivered amusements, which includes streaming TV, and several states tax digital services at the state or local level, so your post-tax bill may be higher than the advertised price. Small line items add up.

If you step up to a DIRECTV STREAM plan with regional sports networks to follow local teams, expect a Regional Sports Fee up to $17.99 per month based on your ZIP. Cable bundles can also carry assorted surcharges, set-top box fees, and broadcast fees that are not shown in big print.

Financing & Payment Options

Most providers accept credit, debit, and PayPal, plus app-store billing on devices. Annual prepay is rare for live-TV bundles, so monthly cash flow dominates and promos tend to be month-to-month credits. Some services sell gift cards that can cap your out-of-pocket for a few months. It is simple (see YouTube TV offer terms).

Carrier or ISP billing bundles sometimes include extra terms or lose certain streaming promos, which matters if you change plans often. Direct billing usually keeps the door open for the widest discounts and trials, especially during sports calendars or holiday sales (deal roundups on TechRadar).

Seasonal & Market-Timing Factors

Prices and promos move around sports seasons, fall TV premieres, and Black Friday. Hulu + Live TV often runs fall discounts and scheduled base price changes, while Sling typically offers first-month markdowns and short passes for brief needs. Timing helps manage cost (see Sling’s Week Pass).

One-Page Comparison Table

Answers to Common Questions

What is a typical monthly cost to get TBS via major services?
As of October 2025, expect $45.99 with Sling Orange or Blue, $60.99 for Orange & Blue, $82.99 with YouTube TV, $82.99 with Hulu + Live TV rising to $89.99 on October 21, and $89.99 list for DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment, plus taxes.

Is there a free trial?
Trials change often. Hulu + Live TV shows short trial language tied to promos, Sling typically offers discounted first months or short passes rather than a standard trial, and YouTube TV rotates free-trial and intro credits across the year.

How many devices or streams can I use?
YouTube TV allows three base streams, Hulu + Live TV allows two unless you add Unlimited Screens for $9.99, Sling Blue allows three, Orange allows one, and Orange & Blue allows up to four on overlapping channels.

Can I cancel any time and is there a contract?
All the major live-TV streamers listed here are month-to-month for direct online subscriptions and can be canceled at any time, though promotional credits end when you cancel and may not return.

Are taxes and fees included in the advertised price?
Usually not. States and cities may add sales or amusement taxes to digital services, and higher DIRECTV STREAM tiers carry a Regional Sports Fee up to $17.99 per month in many ZIP codes.