For 30 years and counting, the Simpson clan has been the first family of animated sitcoms. One of the most influential and most beloved shows of all time, “The Simpsons” paved the way for other adult-oriented animated hits, but has arguably never been surpassed. New episodes of “The Simpsons” are still debuting on TV, and there are plenty of classic reruns out there, too. But can you watch them if you've got no cable contract? You sure can! We'll show you how to stream “The Simpsons” on demand, as well as how to catch the latest episodes online as they air.
How to Watch ‘The Simpsons’ Online (and Over the Air) Without Cable
If you're looking to catch up on “The Simpsons,” our list has you covered: We'll kick things off with the best subscription streaming service for fans who want to watch episodes of “The Simpsons” on demand. We'll also show you how to watch brand-new episodes as they air. The series, after all, is still being broadcast and remains the longest-running American sitcom ever. It continues to solidify this remarkable feat with each new season. New episodes are aired on FOX, while older episodes are syndicated on FXX. Below we discuss the ways you can watch “The Simpsons” without cable, including how to watch via FOX and FXX live, as well as over the air (in the case of FOX, but not FXX). We’ll also include other streaming services you can watch the show on as well. So, let's get started!
Disney was already one of the most important media companies on the planet when it made its blockbuster acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Now, Disney has all of its own content and the vast majority of FOX's hits, too. Disney's very own streaming service, Disney Plus, is challenging Netflix with a stable of elite media properties that includes Marvel Studios, “Star Wars,” and — you guessed it — “The Simpsons.” If you want to watch old episodes on demand, Disney Plus is the service you want.
Disney Plus is the on-demand home of “The Simpsons,” but recent episodes can still be seen on Hulu. Get 'em while you can, Hulu fans!
And if you upgrade to Hulu + Live TV (which, as the name suggests, is the live TV streaming package offered by Hulu), then you'll have access to FXX and (in select markets) your local FOX affiliate. That means that you'll be able to watch both syndicated episodes of “The Simpsons” (on FXX) and brand-new episodes as they air (on FOX).
Looking for old episodes of “The Simpsons” on network TV, but don't want to pay for cable or satellite? Then you need a live TV streaming service that offers FXX, the home of syndicated episodes of “The Simpsons.” fuboTV is just such a service. On top of that, fuboTV offers live feeds of local FOX affiliates in select markets. That means that there's a good chance you'll be able to watch brand-new episodes of “The Simpsons” as they air, too.
Sling TV is a decent choice for Simpsons fans: It offers a livestream of FXX, where show reruns live on. In addition, it now offers a few markets access to local FOX affiliates, which is even better news if you’re a fan of “The Simpsons” and live in an eligible market like Atlanta, Chicago, or Austin.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is Google's take on the live TV streaming service. It's chock full of great channels — including both FOX and FXX. Since new episodes of “The Simpsons” premiere on FOX, whereas older episodes air in syndication on FXX, this makes YouTube TV a great choice for show fans. Our YouTube TV review gave this service high marks.
Free Over-the-Air TV
As previously mentioned, new episodes of “The Simpsons” debut on FOX. That's great news for cord-cutters, because FOX is often available for free. Like other major networks, FOX is broadcast over the air by affiliate stations all over the United States. If you're within range of your local station, you should be able to pick it up with an over-the-air TV antenna. Other than the one-time cost of the antenna, you won’t have to pay anything. This makes over-the-air TV a great way to watch “The Simpsons” free, with no cable required.
Can I Watch ‘The Simpsons’ on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast?
The list above includes a ton of ways to stream “The Simpsons” online without cable. But what devices can you use to watch all of “The Simpsons” that you crave? The chart below tackles that question, platform by platform.
| Roku | Fire TV | Apple TV | Android TV | Chromecast | iOS | Android | Web browser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| fuboTV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sling TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
You won’t see Disney Plus on the chart, but it does work with every listed platform.
More to Watch for ‘The Simpsons’ Fans
Now you know how to watch “The Simpsons,” without cable, and since there’s more than 30 years worth of episodes, that should keep you occupied for a while. If you need a break, check out some of the shows on “Adult Swim.” Its most popular program is “Rick and Morty,” but it’s got plenty of other intriguing titles as well — including the next season of “Tuca and Bertie,” the animated show that Netflix abandoned after just one season. Our guide to watching Adult Swim without cable has more info.