For much of its existence after launching in 1994, the Independent Film Channel was a completely commercial-free and uncensored cable network focused on indie movies—the name said it all. This too-good-to-be-true policy ended when the AMC Networks-owned channel began airing ads in 2010, and then shortened its official name to IFC in 2014.
Also, remember “Portlandia”? IFC originated that and several other shows during its prolific oddball-comedy phase in the 2010s.
Today, IFC runs little else but sitcom reruns on weekdays, broken up by movies of the non-independent variety on weekends. IFC tapped out of the original content game years ago, but if you just need to watch a six-hour block of “Everybody Loves Raymond” followed by “Superbad,” it’s the place to be.
Looking for the hottest entertainment?
Subscribe to CableTV.com's email newsletter for the latest TV event viewing guides, entertaining takes, and money-saving promotions.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions.
What channel is IFC on near me?
As part of AMC Networks, IFC is usually available on cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services alongside sister networks AMC, BBC America, and Sundance TV.
IFC channels in major US cities
| City | Cox channel | DIRECTV channel | DISH channel | Optimum channel | Spectrum channel | Xfinity channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 164 |
| Anchorage, AK | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | — |
| Atlanta, GA | 308 | 333 | 133 | — | 161 | 140 |
| Austin, TX | — | 333 | 133 | 106 | 627 | — |
| Bakersfield, CA | — | 333 | 133 | — | 642 | — |
| Baltimore, MD | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 164 |
| Boston, MA | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 212 |
| Bronx, NY | — | 333 | 133 | 83 | 81 | — |
| Brooklyn, NY | — | 333 | 133 | 83 | 81 | — |
| Buffalo, NY | — | 333 | 133 | — | 627 | — |
| Charlotte, NC | — | 333 | 133 | — | 627 | — |
| Chicago, IL | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 280 |
| Cincinnati, OH | — | 333 | 133 | — | 280 | — |
| Cleveland, OH | — | 333 | 133 | — | 280 | — |
| Colorado Springs, CO | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 147 |
| Columbus, OH | — | 333 | 133 | — | 95 | — |
| Dallas, TX | — | 333 | 133 | — | 261 | — |
| Denver, CO | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 503 |
| Detroit, MI | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 164 |
| El Paso, TX | — | 333 | 133 | — | 93 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 164 |
| Fort Worth, TX | — | 333 | 133 | — | 261 | — |
| Fresno, CA | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 503 |
| Honolulu, HI | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | — |
| Houston, TX | — | 333 | 133 | — | 93 | 399 |
| Indianapolis, IN | — | 333 | 133 | — | 88 | 164 |
| Jacksonville, FL | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 164 |
| Kansas City, MO | — | 333 | 133 | — | 627 | — |
| Las Vegas, NV | 306 | 333 | 133 | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | — | 333 | 133 | — | 627 | — |
| Louisville, KY | — | 333 | 133 | — | 612 | — |
| Memphis, TN | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 288 |
| Miami, FL | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 164 |
| Milwaukee, WI | — | 333 | 133 | — | 280 | — |
| Minneapolis, MN | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 164 |
| Nashville, TN | — | 333 | 133 | — | 170 | 164 |
| New Orleans, LA | 290 | 333 | 133 | — | — | — |
| New York, NY | — | 333 | 133 | — | 81 | — |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 207 | 333 | 133 | 106 | 261 | — |
| Orlando, FL | — | 333 | 133 | — | 63 | 164 |
| Philadelphia, PA | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 164 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 385 | 333 | 133 | — | — | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 147 |
| Portland, OR | — | 333 | 133 | — | 627 | 503 |
| Sacramento, CA | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 503 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 503 |
| San Antonio, TX | — | 333 | 133 | — | 627 | — |
| San Diego, CA | 300 | 333 | 133 | — | 627 | — |
| San Francisco, CA | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 503 |
| San Jose, CA | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 503 |
| Seattle, WA | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 503 |
| St. Louis, MO | — | 333 | 133 | — | 93 | — |
| St. Paul, MN | — | 333 | 133 | — | 162 | — |
| Tampa, FL | — | 333 | 133 | — | 85 | 164 |
| Tucson, AZ | 385 | 333 | 133 | — | — | 164 |
| Washington, DC | — | 333 | 133 | — | — | 164 |
Get IFC with cable or satellite
IFC is available in the basic tiers of most cable and satellite TV providers, though it’s sometimes grouped with movie channels because it was once classified as a film-focused network.
| Provider | Type | Price | IFC | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read DISH review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Optimum review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Xfinity review |
Get IFC with a live TV streaming service
IFC can be found on most live streaming TV services, with two exceptions: Hulu + Live TV and Fubo don’t carry IFC or any other AMC Networks channels. IFC is available on YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Philo.
| Provider | Type | Price | IFC | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Streaming | $84.99–$171.98/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read DIRECTV review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | — |
View Plan Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | — |
View Plan Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Philo | Streaming | $33.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read Sling TV review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plan Read YouTube TV review |
Get IFC with a streaming app
IFC doesn’t have a dedicated streaming app, but some of the network’s content is available to stream on AMC+. There are also two IFC-branded FAST (free ad-supported TV) channels, IFC Film Picks (independent movies) and Slightly Off by IFC (comedies), available 24/7 on Pluto TV, Philo, Sling TV, and Xumo.
What’s on IFC
During its most proactive years between 2010 and 2019, IFC produced acclaimed original comedies like “Portlandia,” “Garfunkel & Oates,” “Maron,” “The Birthday Boys,” “Documentary Now!,” “Brockmire,” and “Sherman’s Showcase.” IFC still focuses on comedy today, but the channel runs only older acquired shows like “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Sanford & Son,” “Night Court,” and “Three’s Company” on weekdays, and comedy movies on weekends.
IFC channel guide FAQ
Is IFC still a channel?
IFC has been an active channel on cable, satellite, and live streaming TV since its launch in 1994. Most TV providers that carry channels like AMC, BBC America, and Sundance TV also have IFC.
Where can I watch IFC live?
You can watch IFC live on cable services including Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox; satellite providers DIRECTV and DISH; and live streaming TV services YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Philo. IFC isn’t carried by Hulu + Live TV or Fubo.
Is IFC a free channel?
Since it’s part of a cable package, IFC isn’t available to watch for free. But IFC’s FAST (free ad-supported TV) channels, IFC Film Picks and Slightly Off by IFC, can be streamed for free on Pluto TV, Xumo, Sling Freestream, and other free streamers.
