Game shows are mostly a family affair. Ma, pa, and the kiddos can gather round the telly and enjoy a wholesome half-hour of light competition and sport. Match Game is a whole other beast entirely.
Ever since its ’70s heyday, Match Game was always a way for bawdy comedians and actors to get a few past the censors. I suppose they’re also there to help average contestants come up with clever ways to end a story to win cash. But trust me, it’s the jokes that are the star of this particular game show.
It was revived to the thanks of a grateful world in 2016, with host Gene Rayburn replaced by the equally salacious Alec Baldwin. The rest is the same star-studded hilarity that even grandma remembers. Luckily, the show airs a little after prime time. Get the kids tucked in before watching.
Here’s everything you need to know to stream Match Game.
Best Shows on ABC
What is Match Game?
Match Game traces its origins to the ’60s. The original show ran from 1962-1969. It was revived under a few different names from 1973 to 1981. Every single one of these iterations was hosted by Gene Rayburn. The show was revived for a second time in the ’90s, this time hosted by Michael Burger. Its latest iteration was released in June of 2016, hosted by Alec Baldwin.
- Launched: June 26, 2016
- Airtime: New episodes air Thursdays at 10 pm PST/EST on ABC starting September 24.
- Channel: ABC
- Genre: Game Show
- Hosted by: Alec Baldwin
- Seasons: 4
- Status: Pending
Match Game Reviews
What the critics are saying:
- “For now, just as a jovial actor inhabiting an unexpected part, Baldwin is fun to watch and it’s good to see him carrying over Rayburn’s love for in-character clue readings, in this case a dismal-but-terrific Mick Jagger impression.” –Dan Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter
- “Match Game’s brand is loony lewdness, and there is something admirable about the liberated way the revival practices it. It’s equal opportunity lewdness; everyone one the show, straight or gay, can be as blue as they wanna be. I like how Baldwin flirts, or pretends to flirt, with female and male celebrity panelists.” –Jeff Jensen, Entertainment Weekly
How to stream Match Game
ABC is available on a few of the major live TV streaming services. When trying to decide which one is best for you, you’ll want to weigh the cost, the other channels you’ll receive, and the compatible devices for streaming.
Match Game on Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV is one of the most popular ways to stream ABC, given the service is owned by Disney. It’s a great option for all live TV, but you also gain access to a massive library of on-demand content including classic and current TV shows, movies, and original programming. As far as live-streaming goes, you’ll have a ton of local, entertainment, and sports channels to flip through, including HGTV, a full suite of ESPN channels, Cartoon Network, FX, and even deep cuts like Nat Geographic and Syfy, and of course, ABC, where you can stream Match Game.
| Hulu Live TV | $69.99 |
| Hulu Live TV (no ads on Hulu content) | $75.99 |
Match Game on Sling TV
Sling offers two cable packages, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, each of which costs $30 per month. If you grab them both (Sling Orange + Blue) you can save $15 per month. To be clear, ABC is not normally available on Sling, but through the magic of AirTV, you can get all your local channels in a system that plays nice with Sling. A complete AirTV set up will allow you to get all your local channels and free you up to choose Sling—if a lack of ABC is what’s holding you back.
Here’s the complete guide to Sling TV channels.
| Orange | $35 |
| Blue | $35 |
| Orange + Blue | $50 |
How to use AirTV with Sling
AirTV solves one of the Sling’s biggest problems: The inability to receive all of your local channels. By purchasing a basic AirTV for $79.99 or the AirTV Player for $119.99, you can merge your ABC affiliate and other local channels into your Sling TV, (or on your mobile device if you have the basic AirTV). As the Daily Dot wrote in its AirTV review, “It’s practically magic.”
The basic AirTV is a dual-tuner streaming device, while the AirTV Player is basically an upgraded Chromecast that has Netflix preinstalled. You’ll still need to own an HD antenna because even though AirTV gets you access to your local channels, it doesn’t actually physically show them to you.
But AirTV gives Sling users the ability to access all local channels to add to any Sling package. All without a monthly fee.
Match Game on Vidgo
Vidgo offers a package for under $40 a month that pulls together more than 60 English-language channels into its National English Package, including ABC, Fox, the Disney family of channels, the ESPN family of channels (including ESPN Deportes), FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes and BeIN Sports. It offers an array of entertainment favorites, including A&E, HGTV, History and Lifetime. There’s also a full range of Nickelodeon channels, including TeenNick and NickToons.
College sports fans will love it, too: The ACCN, Big Ten Network, the Longhorn Network, and Pac-12 Network are all on the Core package, and for $10 more, the Plus package offers all six market-specific Pac-12 Networks.
| English Premium Package | $66.33/ 3 months |
| English Plus Package | $53/ 3 months |
| Spanish Mas Package | $25/ 3 months |
Match Game on AT&T TV Now
There’s a good chance that you’re already looking to AT&T for your wireless needs. The second you sign up, you’ll gain instant access to 45+ channels, including local channels like ABC and even free HBO in the Plus and Max channel suites. Plus, it comes with CloudDVR, which lets you record up to 20 hours of TV per month. One account works on two devices, but you can add more devices for only $5.
Match Game on YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a great solution for families looking for ABC because one subscription can add up to six accounts, and each account comes with unlimited cloud DVR. You can’t beat the variety, either: There are sports channels like NBCSN, NBA TV, and four ESPN channels, while Disney, Disney XD, Disney Junior, and Cartoon Network will keep any kid (or kid at heart) busy for hours. It also comes with a few Spanish-language channels like Telemundo and NBC Universo. AMC, BBC America, and IFC are there too, so you won’t miss out on all that prestige TV. (You can find the full list of YouTube TV channels here.)
| 1 Month | $64.99 |
