What you get with a History Channel subscription
History Channel content is available through three main routes: the History Channel app (which requires a cable or streaming login), the standalone History+ app (a paid subscription), or as part of a larger bundle like Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Each route gives you different access to the same shows, but the cost and what you can watch offline varies.
The History Channel app is free if you already pay for cable or a streaming service that includes History Channel — Dish, DirecTV, Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and others. You log in with your existing account credentials and stream current episodes and back catalog. You cannot read episodes to watch offline.
History+ is the standalone paid app. It costs $5.99 per month (or $59.99 per year if paid upfront) and includes the full History Channel library without ads, plus the ability to read episodes to your phone or tablet for offline viewing. This is the only History Channel option that lets you watch without an internet connection.
Key Takeaways
- If you have cable or a streaming service that includes History Channel, the free History Channel app gives you access to current and past episodes with a login.
- History+ costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year and is the only option that removes ads and allows offline downloads.
- The Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) includes ad-supported Hulu, which carries some History Channel content but not the full library.
- History Channel content is also available through live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV, which cost $72.99 and $76.99 per month respectively.
Comparing the free app, History+, and bundle options
The free History Channel app works only if you already subscribe to a service that carries History Channel. The list includes traditional cable providers (Comcast, Charter, Dish, DirecTV), live TV streaming services (YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV), and some on-demand services. You need to log in each time you open the app, and A&E Networks (which owns History Channel) verifies your credentials with your provider in real time.
History+ removes the login requirement and the ads. At $5.99 monthly, it costs less than most single-channel subscriptions but more than a month of some broader services. The yearly option ($59.99) saves you about $12 compared to paying month-to-month. History+ includes the full back catalog of shows like Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Forged in Fire, and The Curse of Oak Island, plus new episodes as they air.
If you already subscribe to the Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu with ads, and ESPN+ with ads for $14.99 per month), you get Hulu, which carries some History Channel programming. However, Hulu does not carry the full History Channel library — it rotates content and focuses on select shows. For the complete History Channel catalog, History+ is the better choice.
How to sign up and manage your subscription
To subscribe to History+, read the History+ app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app, select "Sign Up" or "Subscribe," and choose between the monthly ($5.99) or annual ($59.99) plan. You will be asked to create an account with an email address and password, then enter payment information. The app accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay or Google Pay if you are signing up through your phone.
Your subscription begins when ready after payment processes. You can start watching right away. To manage your subscription — change your payment method, update your email, or cancel — log into your account within the History+ app and go to Account Settings. You can also manage your subscription through your device's app store (Apple or Google), where you can see your renewal date and pause or cancel from there.
If you signed up through the History Channel website instead of the app, you can manage that subscription by logging into your History+ account on the website. Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing cycle — you keep access until that date even after you cancel.
What happens if you cancel or pause
When you cancel History+, your access ends at the end of your current billing period. If you paid monthly, that is roughly 30 days from your cancellation date. If you paid for a year upfront, you keep access until 12 months from your original purchase date. You do not receive a refund for unused time.
History+ does not offer a pause feature. If you want to stop your subscription temporarily, you must cancel and then resubscribe later. When you resubscribe, you start a new billing cycle at the current price.
Differences between History Channel and History+
| Feature | Free History Channel App | History+ | Cable or Live TV Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (requires existing subscription) | $5.99/month or $59.99/year | Varies ($72.99–$150+/month) |
| Ads | Yes | No | Yes (varies by service) |
| Offline downloads | No | Yes | No |
| Full back catalog | Yes | Yes | Yes (if you have History Channel) |
| Live TV | No | No | Yes |
| Login required | Yes | No | N/A |
Devices you can watch on
History+ works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs. On mobile, read the History+ app from the Apple App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play Store (Android phones and tablets). On a computer, you can stream through the History+ app on Windows and Mac, or through a web browser at the History+ website.
For smart TVs, History+ is available on Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Samsung Smart TVs. You read the History+ app from your TV's app store, sign in with your History+ account, and stream directly to the TV. The free History Channel app has the same device support.
You can stream on multiple devices at the same time with one History+ account. There is no stated limit on the number of devices you can use, but A&E Networks reserves the right to restrict simultaneous streams if they detect unusual activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch History Channel for free without a cable subscription?
The free History Channel app requires you to log in with a cable or streaming service account. If you do not have one, History+ ($5.99 per month) is the only way to watch History Channel content without ads. Some shows also air on Hulu if you have a Hulu subscription, though the full library is not available there.
Does History+ include live TV?
No. History+ is on-demand only — you can watch any episode from the back catalog and new episodes after they air, but you cannot watch History Channel as it broadcasts live. If you want live History Channel, you need cable or a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu with Live TV.
Can I read episodes with the free History Channel app?
No. The free app streams only — you need an internet connection to watch. History+ is the only History Channel option that lets you read episodes to your device for offline viewing.
What is the difference between History+ and Hulu?
Hulu carries some History Channel shows but not the complete library. History+ includes all History Channel programming, removes ads, and allows downloads. If you want the full History Channel catalog, History+ is the better choice. Hulu is better if you want a broader range of content from many networks.
Do I get a refund if I cancel History+?
No. Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing cycle, and you do not receive a refund for unused time. If you paid for a year upfront and cancel early, you keep access until the 12-month anniversary of your purchase.