Cutting the cord is a common way to save money, but you don’t have to stop watching TV all at once as long as you have internet access.
With a little creativity, you can still find ways to watch TV shows online for free (and maybe a generous neighbor). Here are seven ways to watch the big game or the newest, most popular show without paying for cable.
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Here Are the Best Ways You Can Watch TV Shows Online for Free
1. Use the Free Trials
Most of the big streaming services give first-time users a free trial. For example, Netflix and Hulu are free for a month, and HBO Now, Sling TV, and DirecTV Now are free for a week. A trial period is only a short-term solution, but it’s a smart way to find out which services you like in case you want to replace your cable package with something else.
Remember to cancel your account when the trial period is over so that you don’t get charged.
2. Use a Free Site or App to Stream TV
You still have choices if you don’t want to sign up for a free trial and aren’t ready to pay for a subscription. Some websites, like PlutoTV and Sony Crackle, let you watch TV shows for free. Be ready to watch a lot of ads, though.
You can watch free episodes of current and popular shows on NBC and Fox by going to their websites or using their apps. But if you want to watch full seasons or live TV, you usually have to sign in to an account you already have with a cable company.
Make sure you can trust an app or website before you stream from it. Read reviews from other users in the app store and look for URLs that start with “https” instead of “http.”
3. Look at What Cell Phone Companies Have to Offer
Cell phones and TV are getting more and more connected, so it’s not surprising that some of the biggest mobile carriers now offer streaming services as a bonus for their customers. For example, Verizon’s unlimited plans come with a free year of Disney+ right now. Some plans from T-Mobile come with a standard Netflix subscription, and some plans from AT&T come with an HBO subscription.
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4. Invest in A Digital Antenna
With a Digital Antenna, You Can Watch Live TV Such as Sports and Local News, Even if You Don’t Have an Internet Connection. This Can Help Ease the Pain of Losing Cable. for Less than $20, You Can Get a Top-Rated Hd Antenna.
Depending on Where You Live, You Can Watch Different channels, but most antennas can pick up major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, as well as a few others. One problem with a digital antenna is that the signal can be spotty. This is especially true if you live in a dense urban area where buildings and other things can make it hard to get a clear picture.
5. Use Your Library Card to Get Books
To use your library card, you don’t have to go to your local library branch. In many places, like Dallas and Miami, public, campus, and other types of libraries have teamed up with streaming services that let people borrow TV shows and movies online for free.
Through a web browser or app, Hoopla Digital and Kanopy offer mostly educational and family-friendly entertainment. With your email address and library card, you can sign up for a free account. Ask a librarian or go to one of the sites above to find out if your library is one of those that take part.
6. Share the Account of A Friend or Family Member
If you have a kind parent or roommate who pays for a streaming service, you can watch TV for free. Most services offer plans that let people watch content on more than one device at the same time. If you live at the same address as someone who has an Amazon Prime account, you can set up an Amazon Household to share benefits, such as the streaming service Prime Video.
Members of Hulu can add up to five more profiles to their accounts, and HBO Now members can share their accounts with other people in their households. If a friend or family member is willing to let you join in, talk to them about the details in a polite way.
7. Look in Your App Store for Free Downloads
There are free TV sections in digital stores like iTunes and Google Play that you should check out. You can look through full episodes of some shows and download them to your phone, tablet, or computer. But don’t expect a wide range of options. Most collections only have pilots and episodes from older or less well-known shows.