If you‘re one of the millions of HGTV fans out there, you‘ve probably wondered if you can get your fix of Fixer Upper, House Hunters and other hit shows through your Amazon Prime membership. After all, Prime Video offers a growing selection of TV channels, so it would make sense for the hugely popular HGTV to be included, right?
As a home-focused consumer expert and avid comparison shopper, I dug in to find the answer. In this post, I‘ll share everything you need to know about whether HGTV is free on Amazon Prime and your best options for streaming all your favorite home improvement and interior design content.
The Scoop on HGTV and Amazon Prime Video
I‘ve got bad news for anyone hoping to get HGTV shows included free with their Prime membership: currently, HGTV is not available directly through Amazon Prime Video. Unlike some other popular channels like HBO, Showtime and Cinemax that you can add onto your Prime subscription for an additional monthly fee, HGTV is not among the 100+ premium and specialty channels offered.
However, that doesn‘t mean you can‘t use your Amazon account to access HGTV content. You have a couple key options:
1. Discovery+ Subscription
Discovery+, the streaming service from Discovery Inc (HGTV‘s parent company), is available as an add-on subscription through Amazon Prime Video. For $4.99 per month (with ads) or $6.99 monthly (ad-free), you can access 55,000+ episodes from HGTV and other Discovery family networks like Food Network, TLC and Animal Planet. You can try Discovery+ free for 7 days.
While it‘s not technically "free" with Prime since it requires an extra fee on top of your $119/year membership, getting Discovery+ through Amazon may be cheaper and more convenient than subscribing directly, depending on your streaming setup and preferences. For example, Amazon handles all the billing in one place.
2. Buying or Renting Episodes
Many individual HGTV series and episodes are available to buy or rent a la carte through the Prime Video store. Prices generally range from $1.99-$2.99 per episode to $14.99-$29.99 per season. Though clearly pricier than watching through a subscription, this pay-per-view style may make sense if you only want to watch a few select shows or prefer to own the content rather than stream.
Free (and Almost Free) Ways to Watch HGTV Content
Don‘t want to pay extra? There are a few ways to access at least some HGTV programming without opening your wallet:
IMDb TV
Amazon-owned IMDb TV provides a selection of past HGTV series free to stream with ads, including Beachfront Bargain Hunt, House Hunters and Love It or List It. The tradeoff is that titles are limited and new episodes/seasons may not be available.
HGTV Website & Apps
You can watch a rotating selection of HGTV shows and clips on-demand free through the network‘s own website and apps. Recent episodes are added soon after airing, but require signing in with a TV provider. Older and "unlocked" content can be viewed without signing in.
Borrowing DVDs from the Library
Many public libraries carry DVD sets of popular HGTV series that you can borrow for free. Selection varies but may include titles like Fixer Upper, Property Brothers and Flip or Flop. Not the most convenient, but potentially an option for superfans.
Of course, if you have a traditional cable, satellite or live streaming TV package that includes HGTV, you can also sign into the HGTV app using your provider credentials and watch shows for no additional charge.
HGTV Availability on Other Streaming Platforms
Beyond Amazon Prime, how does HGTV compare on other major streaming services? Here‘s a quick rundown:
Discovery+: The most extensive HGTV library with both new and classic series/episodes, plus exclusive Discovery+ originals. Ad-supported ($4.99/month) and ad-free ($6.99/month) plans.
Hulu + Live TV: Includes HGTV live in its lineup of 65+ channels, along with on-demand options, for $64.99/month.
Sling TV: Offers HGTV and 30+ other channels in its "Sling Blue" package for $35 per month.
YouTube TV: Provides HGTV live plus some shows on-demand in its base plan with 85+ networks for $64.99/month.
Philo: Includes HGTV in its 60+ channel lineup for $20 monthly.
Standalone HGTV subscription not available. So while Amazon Prime itself doesn‘t include HGTV free, adding Discovery+ onto your Prime membership may prove more cost-effective or flexible vs. other services – especially if you already use Prime Video.
Finding Home-Related Content on Prime Video
Even without HGTV, Amazon Prime Video offers plenty to satisfy fans of home improvement, interior design, gardening and real estate shows. Some places to look:
Browse the "Home" category under the main Prime Video navigation menu.
Search for specific titles or keywords like "renovation," "house flipping," "decorating."
Check out the IMDb TV hub, which has a dedicated "Home & Garden" section with series like This Old House and Rehab Addict.
You can also find Prime original home shows, such as Overhaul (with Property Brothers‘ Drew and Jonathan Scott) and Back to the Rafters, an Australian reno comedy-drama. Plus, many independent home/DIY creators now offer content you can rent or buy through Prime Video.
The Popularity of HGTV & Home Improvement Content
There‘s no question HGTV has major pull, ranking as a top 10 cable network. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HGTV ratings climbed as high as 30% as viewers looked for both entertainment and inspiration while stuck at home.
On streaming, this appetite for aspirational yet relatable home content seems to be holding strong. Discovery Inc reports that HGTV was one of its top 4 most-watched channels across all streaming platforms in 2020. And according to Reelgood, HGTV is consistently among the top 20 most-watched networks by its millions of connected TV/streaming users.
As more consumers shift away from traditional pay-TV bundles in favor of customized streaming plans, demand will likely stay high for convenient, flexible access to HGTV fan-favorites and new originals alike. That could eventually make adding HGTV a smart move for Amazon, especially as it looks to make Prime Video Channels a bigger part of its offerings.
The Future of HGTV Streaming
For now, Discovery seems focused on growing its own Discovery+ service as the streaming home for HGTV and sister lifestyle brands. But down the road, it‘s possible we could see expanded HGTV availability on Prime Video and other platforms through distribution deals.
Industry insiders have speculated about potential mergers that could reshape the streaming landscape – in particular, whether Discovery could partner with a company like Amazon or Netflix to boost its streaming audience and global reach.
It‘s also worth watching whether HGTV develops any original series or specials specifically for Discovery+, as those exclusive offerings could further drive sign-ups on Amazon and beyond. At its 2021 Upfronts, HGTV announced plans for more than 30 new titles, some of which could become streaming exclusives to incentivize direct subscriptions.
The Bottom Line
As of 2023, HGTV is not included free with Amazon Prime. However, Prime members can access a selection of HGTV content through the $4.99/month Discovery+ add-on subscription, or by purchasing/renting individual episodes and seasons.
While there‘s no word on if or when HGTV could become a free part of Prime Video, it‘s clear there‘s strong ongoing demand for the network‘s signature brand of entertaining and inspirational home-related programming.
With multiple ways to stream at least some HGTV favorites, and plenty more home and garden content to explore on Prime, fans have options for getting their design and DIY fix with or without a traditional TV package.
As a savvy shopper and streaming expert, I‘ll keep tracking this space and sharing updates. In the meantime, happy renovating and happy watching!
