If you are looking for television that the whole family can enjoy, UPtv is a great choice. And you don’t need a cable or satellite subscription to access it either. Read on to learn your options.
In a hurry? UPtv isn’t available from the biggest streaming services like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. But you still have a number of choices. Check out these:
- DIRECTV STREAM: This full-cable replacement service will make you think you never left cable. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
- Philo: This low-cost streaming service gives you 60+ channels for a fraction of what other services charge. Try Philo free for 7 days.
- Vidgo: Get a bunch of family, sports, and news channels. Try one month for $20.
Table Of Contents
Watching TV with your family is hard these days. Cuss words are all over prime time, couples tumble into bed left and right, and there’s blood and gore everywhere. Even the Hallmark Channel isn’t safe from social agendas. And this can be an issue even in Netflix Kids mode, which has been known to let questionable content through.
Whether you’re a conservative parent or you just want to avoid awkward conversations with your kids, it can be a relief to know that there are still a few channels that offer 100% clean family-friendly programming.
Get DIRECTV STREAM Free for 5 Days
One of these channels is UPtv, which chooses to focus on positive, life-affirming messages while still displaying all the relatable complexity of family life.
What Is UPtv
UPtv was founded in 2004 as the Gospel Music Channel (later GMC TV) by Charles Humbard. As the name implies, it presented gospel music along with Christian contemporary, Southern Gospel, Christian metal, and other Christian music styles.
Over the next ten years, the network began to mix in original programming and Christian music awards, and later, popular family-friendly syndicated series and movies. In 2013, it was rebranded as UPtv, embodying the uplifting nature of its content.
The channel’s core demographic is exactly who you’d expect: Christian conservative families, often homeschoolers. This group is looking for TV that’s in line with their values while also remaining entertaining for kids and adults.
But UPtv is also a welcome safe space for parents who
- Want to let their teens or tweens watch TV on their own
- Don’t want to have to answer delicate questions in the middle of family movie night
- Don’t want to deal with weeks of entrail- and brain-splattered nightmares
- Don’t want to hear the latest naughty word gleefully repeated at the most embarrassing times.
It’s also good for adults who just don’t care for that kind of language or content.
UPtv, along with BYU-TV, FETV, and INSP lean toward the Christian side of family programming. They feature faith-based inspirational stories or outright religious programming (usually televangelist in nature) mixed in with classic TV and movies and ultra-wholesome originals.
There are, of course, alternatives (or compliments) for UPtv. For the religion without the classic TV, you can tune to BET Gospel or the Dove Channel. And for the classic TV without the religion, there’s Classic Reruns, getTV, Heroes & Icons, and PixL.
Other family channels include aspireTV (UPtv’s sister station for African-American programming), Discovery Family, Freeform, GAC Family, GAC Living, Game Show Network, and the Hallmark channels (original, Movies & Mysteries, and Drama).
UPtv Shows
UPtv’s programming is a mix of original series, original (mostly romantic) movies, imported family shows (Heartland), and popular syndicated classics (Gilmore Girls, Reba, and Little House on the Prairie).
UPtv Original Series
- Bringing Up Bates
- Date My Dad
- Design Twins
- Growing Up McGhee
- Jo Frost: Nanny on Tour
- Morgan Family Strong
- Our Wedding Story
- Small Town, Big Mayor.
UPtv Movies
- Betting on the Bride
- A Bridesmaid in Love
- A Honeymoon to Remember (Coming Soon)
- In-Lawfully Yours
- Love’s Last Resort
- Overcomer
- A Picture Perfect Wedding
- Run the Race (Coming Soon)
- The Song to my Heart
- The Wedding Fix (Coming Soon)
- A Wedding to Remember.
Unblock Your Favorite Movies and Shows With a VPN
If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, a VPN will allow you to get the access you are entitled to, plus extra security and unequalled privacy. Check out our VPN Guide for everything you need to know, including our top pick ExpressVPN.
Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
Stream UPtv
If you think current entertainment shows are shocking, have you seen your cable bill recently? The truth is that you don’t need to pay an arm and a leg for clean entertainment. The following live TV streaming services bring you the same channels as your cable company, but at a fraction of the price.
There’s also no contract. Your spouse deserves your long-term commitment, not your TV provider. And more good news: the services that carry UPtv tend to be on the cheaper side. Let’s get into details.
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has lots of different channels, big and small. It’s the service on this list most like a traditional cable company in its lineup. Unfortunately, it’s also the most cable-like in its price tag, too: $108.99/mo for UPtv, GAC Family, Game Show Network, Heroes & Icons, Freeform, The Hallmark Channel, and the 100+ other channels in the Choice Package. On the plus side, you’ll also get your regional sports networks, which feature almost all the home team games in MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS.
You also have many options for premium channels including HBO Max, Showtime, Cinemax, MGM+, and Starz.
All plans come with unlimited cloud DVR (online subscriptions only) and the ability to stream on unlimited devices at once. See our DIRECTV STREAM review for all the details.
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Philo
Philo is the anti-DIRECTV STREAM. Just $25/mo gets you over 60 channels, including UPtv, aspireTV, INSP, Discovery Family, Game Show Network, getTV, 3 Hallmark channels, 2 GAC Networks, and the Game Show Network. You also get lots of kids programing like Nickelodeon and Pocket.Watch. Try Philo free for 7 days.
Be aware that it doesn’t get you any NBCUniversal channels (Syfy, USA, Bravo), WarnerMedia channels (Cartoon Network, TNT, TBS, CNN), Disney channels (ABC, Disney, ESPN, FX), news channels (aside from BBC World News), sports channels, or local channels (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC).
Philo also offers the premium channels MGM+ and Starz for an extra fee. (Note that Starz Kids & Family is included in its base plan.)
You can stream it on up to 3 screens at once and you get unlimited DVR. There are even a few premium movie channels such as Starz and MGM+. For more information, see our Philo review.
Vidgo
Vidgo carries a lot of family-friendly channels in its 100+ channel Plus package for $69.99/mo. Aside from UPtv, it’s got aspireTV, BYU-TV, Classic Reruns, FETV, Freeform, Game Show Network, getTV, all three Hallmarks, and INSP. Upgrade to Premium at $84.99/mo, and you can also get BET Gospel, Discovery Family, and GAC Family.
One downside: Vidgo offers no cloud DVR. However, you can stream on up to 3 devices at once. See our Vidgo review for more information.
Other Ways To Stream UPtv
But those aren’t the only ways to stream UPtv. Check out these skinny services:
- UP Faith & Family: UP Entertainment’s own commercial-free on-demand streaming service contains both UPtv’s and aspireTV’s series, specials, and movies. Subscribers also get first access to new seasons of Heartland in the US. It costs $5.99/mo after a 14-day free trial, or $53.99/yr (save 25%). You can subscribe directly on UP Entertainment’s website, or through Amazon Prime Video Channels, Sling TV, Apple TV+, Roku, or YouTube TV.
- FreeCast: FreeCast is mainly an aggregator of streaming service content — you enter your subscriptions, and it collects them together with any free services you want to follow and lets you search and browse them all in one place. This basic helpful service is $3.99/mo, but bump it up to $6.99 and you also get a dozen and a half live channels, including UPtv, FETV, RFD-TV, and Outside TV.
- Frndly TV: Frndly TV is 30+ channels of low-priced family fun. Hallmark channels, Heartland TV, Game Show Network, The Weather Channel, History, BYU TV, Curiosity Stream — from the informative to the heartwarming, Frndly’s got all your essentials starting at $6.99/mo. (Frndly TV review)
Streaming Devices for UPtv
Just because you are streaming UPtv doesn’t mean you need to watch in front of a computer. The streaming services that offer it support the most popular devices. These include:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android phones and tablets
- Apple TV
- Chromecast
- iOS (iPhone, iPad)
- Roku
- Web browser.
DIRECTV STREAM also allows you to use its own device, which you can purchase from it. It also supports Samsung smart TVs. Vidgo and Philo also support Android TV-based devices. And Philo supports the Amazon Fire tablet.
UP Faith & Family also supports Xbox gaming consoles.
Superpower Your Live TV Streaming With a VPN
You can’t beat a VPN for privacy, security, and access. We have used them for years as an important part of our streaming toolkit and we recommend ExpressVPN. Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
| i | See our VPN Buyer’s Guide for complete information on how to choose the best VPN for your needs. |
Today’s UPtv Schedule
Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:
| Movie – A Moving Romance After inheriting her family's moving company, a young woman (Ambyr Childers) starts to clash with the manager (Keegan Allen) who thought he was going to take over. | |
| Movie – Writing a Love Song Aspiring music producer Chloe Brandon puts her career on the line by promising the record label a hit song from Dustin Miller, a once-successful country musician with writer's block, while keeping it all a secret from her boss. | |
| Movie – Happily Never After Kate, part of a writing duo with her boyfriend, is convinced her author days are over when they breakup -- until her publisher requests a sequel. | |
| Blue Bloods – Insult to Injury A woman threatening to kill herself and the man who murdered her parents calls Danny; Frank goes on Sean's class field trip. | |
| Blue Bloods – Knockout Game Danny and Baez search for teenagers who have been punching unsuspecting people -- including a pregnant woman -- in the head; Frank worries that promoting an officer will be viewed as favoritism. | |
| Blue Bloods – Righting Wrongs A woman is killed by a dose of lidocaine after a secret plastic surgery; Jamie is privately assigned a cold case; Erin decides to try speed dating. | |
| Hudson & Rex – Jail Break An imprisoned killer forces the station into lockdown by taking a hostage and attempting escape. | |
| A Better Pain Pill First clinically-tested complete joint relief and repair supplement. Joint Food provides inflammation, cartilage, and synovial fluid support for aging joints. | |
| Shark CarpetXpertTM with StainStrikerTM 2-in-1 deep carpet cleaner with built-in spot & stain remove Shark CarpetXpert with StainStriker, 2-in-1 deep carpet and upholstery cleaner with a handheld spot & stain eliminator, combines Shark's powerful suction & deep-cleaning innovation to deliver unbeatable deep carpet cleaning & tough stain elimination. | |
| Amazing Abs Tone, tighten and burn fat - In seated comfort! Transform your entire body with the Ab Doer 360! | |
| Shark CarpetXpertTM with StainStrikerTM 2-in-1 deep carpet cleaner with built-in spot & stain remove Shark CarpetXpert with StainStriker, 2-in-1 deep carpet and upholstery cleaner with a handheld spot & stain eliminator, combines Shark's powerful suction & deep-cleaning innovation to deliver unbeatable deep carpet cleaning & tough stain elimination. | |
| Relief from inflammation Connie Craig-Carrol & Founder Ken Meares investigates Omega XL, the ultimate all natural solution for joint pain from inflammation. | |
| Paid Programming Paid programming. | |
| The Gospel of Christ Taking the whole Gospel to the whole world. | |
| The Sunday Mass The Sunday Mass is celebrated weekly by The Passionists from NYC. | |
| In Touch With Dr. Charles Stanley Dr Charles Stanley, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, shares his insights on Christian faith and enlightens viewers with spiritual motivation. | |
| Your Move With Andy Stanley – ICON: Part 4 Upside Down Things one can do to experience freedom and peace in life. | |
| Jesus Calling – Faith to Shine the Light Sara Evans and Kierra Sheard-Kelly share the ups and downs of a career in the spotlight and how their faith in God helped them find their purpose in the world. | |
| Gaither Gospel Hour – Power in the Blood Bill and Gloria Gaither and their Homecoming Friends gather in Tulsa, Okla. for a weekend of sweet fellowship, inspiring messages and life-giving music. | |
| Gaither Gospel Hour – Travis Tritt: Country Chapel Triple-platinum-selling country star Travis Tritt invites listeners back to the Country Chapel beginnings of his childhood with this LIVE Gospel concert DVD, hosted by award-winning singer/songwriter Rory Feek. | |
| Movie – Faith, Hope & Love A recent divorcee enters a dance contest in a desperate attempt to save her dance studio. | |
| Walker, Texas Ranger – Without a Sound The Rangers chase down carjackers who have taken the life of Gage's former high-school sweetheart; Gage leans on Sydney for support after he loses his hearing. | |
| Walker, Texas Ranger – Blood Diamonds Walker (Chuck Norris) and the Rangers break up a deadly arms racket that uses stolen diamonds to obtain weapons. | |
| Walker, Texas Ranger – Reel Rangers Walker and Alex fall all over themselves preparing for their child's arrival; the Rangers unexpectedly find themselves on the set of a new movie. | |
| Walker, Texas Ranger – The Committee Walker goes under cover to expose a group of town officials who are taking the law into their own hands by killing all the criminals in town. | |
| Blue Bloods – Secret Arrangements A college professor involved with a questionable scholarship program is murdered; Danny is investigated for ethical and procedural violations. |
Wrapping Up
So if you and your family love your TV time but you don’t love what’s sometimes on the screen, check out UPtv, and never lack for family-friendly viewing again. Then sign up for one of the services above, because saving money is one value every family can get behind. We recommend Philo for most viewers.
Get DIRECTV STREAM Free for 5 Days
Stream Other Family and Kids Channels
Here are our alternatives for watching other family and kids channels:
Ditch “Big Cable” Now – 3 Simple Steps to Cut the Cord
- Pick the right streaming service
- Get the content you deserve with the best VPN.
- Supercharge your internet provider
That’s it — you’ll save money, take back control, and enjoy TV more!
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