AceShowbiz - Jersey Shore: Family Vacation returns for its final season with the premiere of season nine airing on Thursday, May 7, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Fans of the series can look forward to a nostalgic journey that shows how the cast members have evolved since their early days of partying. This last season will feature a total of 18 episodes.

The series offers viewers the chance to catch up with the original cast, including Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Jenni "JWOWW" Farley, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, DJ Pauly D, Vinny Guadagnino, Deena Cortese, Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, and Angelina Pivarnick. The show continues to follow their adventures filled with sun tans, hair gel, and plenty of drama.

For viewers eager to watch the season nine premiere live or stream it online, there are several options available, including live TV streaming services and on-demand platforms.

How to Watch the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Season 9 Premiere

When: Thursday, May 7, at 8 p.m. ET/PT
Channel: MTV
Streaming Platforms: DIRECTV, Paramount+, Philo, Sling TV + Entertainment Extra, Hulu + Live TV

Below is a detailed guide to help you watch the premiere online for free or via trial offers.

DIRECTV

DIRECTV offers both live TV and on-demand streaming services, with plans starting at $19.99 per month. To access MTV, you can subscribe to the MyEntertainment genre pack, which starts at $34.99 per month and includes a five-day free trial. This trial period allows new users to watch the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation premiere at no cost.

The recommended package for the best value is DIRECTV's CHOICE plan, currently priced at $84.99 a month for the first 24 months (discounted from $94.99). This package includes MTV and a broad range of channels, making it an ideal option for fans who want extensive entertainment access. The five-day free trial for new customers makes it possible to watch the season premiere without paying upfront.

Paramount+

Paramount+ hosts a wide array of MTV content, including Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. The streaming service offers two subscription plans: the Essentials plan at $8.99 per month, which includes ads, and the Premium plan at $13.99 monthly, which is ad-free except for live TV and includes access to Showtime.

While Paramount+ no longer offers a direct free trial, you can get complimentary access through a Walmart+ membership, which bundles Paramount+ at no additional charge. This is a valuable perk for Walmart+ subscribers looking to enjoy the entire Jersey Shore library.

Philo

Philo’s Essentials package includes MTV along with over 70 live channels and more than 75,000 on-demand titles for $25 a month. New subscribers can take advantage of a seven-day free trial, allowing them to watch the season nine premiere at no cost. Additionally, Philo offers a one-year unlimited DVR service, so fans can record episodes and watch them later at their convenience.

Sling TV

Sling TV provides various subscription options starting at $19.99 per month. To watch MTV, you need either the Sling Blue or Sling Orange package combined with the Entertainment Extra add-on, which costs $6 per month. Both Sling Blue and Orange packages are priced at $45.99 monthly. The Entertainment Extra add-on is essential as it includes MTV in its lineup.

Unfortunately, Sling TV does not offer a free trial, and pricing and channel availability may vary depending on your local market. This option is best suited for those committed to a longer-term subscription.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV subscribers can watch MTV as part of their channel lineup. The service offers two plans: one with ads for $89.99 per month and an ad-free plan at $99.99 monthly. Both plans include access to Hulu’s extensive on-demand library, live TV, Disney+, and ESPN Unlimited.

For those unsure about committing, Hulu + Live TV provides a three-day free trial, which can be used to watch the season nine premiere for free.

Additional Background on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation

The original Jersey Shore series aired on MTV from 2009 to 2012 and gained significant popularity, leading to the release of the Jersey Shore Soundtrack in 2010. The soundtrack sold 8,000 copies in its first week and peaked at No. 55 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The spinoff, Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, began in 2018 and has spawned other spin-offs like Snooki & JWOWW and The Pauly D Project. It continues to follow the original cast members as they navigate different life stages while maintaining their signature style and antics.

Season nine marks the final chapter for the beloved series, wrapping up the stories of the gang who have entertained viewers for over a decade.

With numerous streaming platforms offering trial periods and packages that include MTV, fans have several options to watch the highly anticipated season nine premiere online for free or with minimal cost. Whether via DIRECTV’s free trial, Philo’s week-long trial, or Hulu’s three-day free access, viewers can enjoy the return of their favorite reality TV stars.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Billboard.