True Crime Series

How to Watch ‘The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story’ Online for Free

Here's how you can watch the all-new Investigation Discovery docuseries online without cable

By Alexis Mikulski Ruiz

Alexis Mikulski Ruiz

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January 6, 2026

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The Cult Behind The Killer: The Andrea Yates Story - Investigation Discovery Series

Investigation Discovery

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In 2002, Andrea Yates, a Texas mother of five, was convicted of killing her children by drowning them in a bathtub. Although the original verdict was overturned, she was retried in 2006, where she was found “not guilty by reason of insanity,” according to official court documents. She was then sent to a state mental hospital, where she has remained for the past 19 years.

Now, a new docuseries by Investigation Discovery is shedding light on the horrific case and the story surrounding it. Titled The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story, this short series premieres on Jan. 6, 2026. According to the official IMDb description, it “follows the Andrea Yates case, exploring how a rogue street preacher’s fire-and-brimstone teachings allegedly brought the vulnerable Texas mother under his control, leading to the drowning of her five children in 2001.”

At a Glance: How to Stream The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story

get free trial

If you want to tune into this three-episode docuseries but don’t have cable, there are several ways to watch it online. Each episode runs about an hour and is broken into three titles: Indoctrination, The Horror Within, and Revelation. While there have been multiple documentaries exploring the case, this is one of the most in-depth narratives to date.

How to Watch The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story

If you want to watch The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story, you can do so with a trial or membership through DirecTV, Philo, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling. Below is a quick guide on how to watch.

How to Watch Andrea Yates Documentary Online for Free: Stream Now

DirecTV

get free trial

➤ $34.99/month
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ Up to 185+ channels

DirecTV is one of the easiest ways to tune into the documentary. The platform offers multiple packages that include Investigation Discovery, such as the Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premiere options. The most affordable option is the MyEntertainment package, starting at $34.99 per month after a five-day free trial.

How to Watch Andrea Yates Documentary Online for Free: Stream Now

Philo

sign up now

➤ $33.00/month
➤ First-month discount available
➤ 70+ channels

Philo is another great option. While it doesn’t currently offer a free trial, you can watch the docuseries for as low as $33 per month. In addition to Investigation Discovery, Philo provides access to more than 70 other channels.

How to Watch Andrea Yates Documentary Online for Free: Stream Now

Sling

$23 $45.99 50% off

get sling

➤ $45.99/month
➤ First-month discount available
➤ 70+ channels

All Sling TV plans — Orange, Blue, and Orange + Blue — include Investigation Discovery. Currently, Sling offers a discount for the first month, with prices starting at $45.99 per month afterward.

How to Watch Andrea Yates Documentary Online for Free: Stream Now

Hulu + Live TV

get free trial

➤ $89.99/month
➤ Three-day free trial
➤ 95+ channels

Another way to skip a traditional cable subscription is with Hulu + Live TV, which starts at $89.99 per month with ads. This plan includes Investigation Discovery, access to 95+ channels, and a three-day free trial.

The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story, Date, Time

The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story premieres on Investigation Discovery on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, airing from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST. All three episodes will premiere back-to-back.

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