Getty Actor Robin Williams appears onstage during MTV's Total Request Live
The late Robin Williams is being honored in an upcoming special “Superstar: Robin Williams,” premiering Wednesday, October 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
If you don’t have cable, here are some different ways you can watch a live stream of “Superstar: Robin Williams” online:
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FuboTV
You can watch a live stream of ABC (live in most markets) and 100-plus other TV channels on FuboTV, which comes with a seven-day free trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch “Superstar: Robin Williams” live on the FuboTV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the FuboTV website.
If you can’t watch live, FuboTV comes with 250 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as a 72-hour look-back feature, which allows you to watch most shows on-demand within three days (and sometimes longer) of their conclusion, even if you don’t record them.
Vidgo
You can watch a live stream of ABC (live in select markets) and 65+ other TV channels on Vidgo. This option doesn’t include a free trial, but you can get your first month for just $10:
Once signed up for Vidgo, you can watch “Superstar: Robin Williams” live on the Vidgo app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Vidgo website.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV) has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” ABC (live in most markets) is included in every one, but you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free 14-day trial.
Note that the free trial isn’t advertised as such, but your “due today” amount will be $0 when signing up. If you watch on your computer, phone or tablet, you won’t be charged for 14 days. If you watch on a streaming device on your TV (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc.), you will be charged for the first month, but you can get still get a full refund if you cancel before 14 days:
Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch “Superstar: Robin Williams” live on the DirecTV Stream app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the DirecTV Stream website.
If you can’t watch live, DirecTV Stream also comes with 20 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to unlimited hours).
Hulu With Live TV
You can watch a live stream of ABC (live in most markets) and 65+ other TV channels via Hulu With Live TV, which you can try out for free with a seven-day trial:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch “Superstar: Robin Williams” live on the Hulu app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, Nintendo Switch, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Hulu website.
If you can’t watch live, Hulu with Live TV comes with both its extensive on-demand library (which includes most shows after they air) and 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
‘Superstar: Robin Williams’ Preview
Robin Williams | “Comedy is a defense & also a weapon…if they laugh, they won’t hurt you.” Watch the powerful & moving new event special ‘Superstar: Robin Williams’ – premiering tomorrow at 10/9c on @ABC. Stream next day on @Hulu. #SuperstarABC
In the fall of 2021, ABC debuted a new series of specials that take in-depth examinations of the lives of various figures that “shaped American culture,” according to the ABC press release. Previous subjects have included Kobe Bryant, Whitney Houston, John Ritter, and Richard Pryor. Now the late comedian and actor Robin Williams takes center stage on October 20 in a special that “documents the triumphs and struggles in Williams’ journey from stand-up comic to movie star.”
The ABC press release continues:
The new episode recounts his life through Williams’ own voice, describing “the spark of madness” which defined his life. From his early days in the San Francisco Bay Area comedy scene to his meteoric rise on “Mork & Mindy,” the one-hour special explores the experiences that made Williams into a one-of-a-kind talent and reveals what gave voice to the characters in his mind.
It also chronicles the creative force driving critically acclaimed films like “Good Will Hunting” and “Dead Poets Society,” as well as fan favorites such as “Aladdin.” The special explores his personal struggles, including substance abuse and depression, and his battle with Lewy Body Dementia before his tragic death in 2014.
“Superstar: Robin Williams” features interviews with famous comedians and actors who knew and admired Williams, including Margaret Cho, Howie Mandel, Lewis Black, Jimmie Walker, Paula Poundstone, Gina Hecht and Pauly Shore, as well as Barry Levinson, director of multiple films starring Williams including “Good Morning, Vietnam.” The program also contains interviews with Williams from the ABC News archives, in which he opens up about his life and the highs and lows of his distinguished career.
In a preview of the special, comedian Howie Mandel had this to say about Williams, “Real humor comes from darkness.”
Williams himself can then be heard saying via voice-over, “Comedy for me was a great shield. It was a great way to keep people out. Comedy is a defense and also a weapon. You can use it to decimate people and to defend against, to hold people back, to diffuse them by if they laugh, they won’t hurt you.”
Williams died by suicide in August 2014. He was a four-time Oscar nominee (winning one), a 12-time Golden Globe nominee (winning six), a nine-time Grammy nominee (winning five) and a nine-time Emmy nominee (winning two). He left behind three children — Zachary, Zelda, and Cody — and a wife, Susan.
“Superstar: Robin Williams” premieres Wednesday, October 20 at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times on ABC.