There are quite a few options these days for getting your TV online for free. However, it can sometimes get complicated to figure out what equipment you need for the content you want to view. There is not one single solution that will give you access to all of the content that you may want. For example, using an Apple Tv and an iPad (or iPhone/ipod touch), you can use the pbs app to stream the latest episode of Downton Abbey from your iPad directly to your flat-screen TV. And its free. You can do the same thing with the NBC app and get the most recent episodes of your favorite TV shows at no cost. Apple's airplay feature allows you to magically stream the content right from your iphone or ipad to the apple TV.
If you don't have apple products, you may want to try a roku box. For example, my wife likes to watch EWTN. This catholic network has a roku app that allows you to view the livestream of this network directly through your roku box, which plugs right into your HDTV.
Depending on your internet provider, you may also have access to watch espn for free. I have Cincinnati Bell Fioptics, which allows me to livestream espn content directly from my xbox. This is a free service provided through my internet provider.
Another option is to use the new airplay video feature built into apple mac computers. This allows you to mirror your computer screen on your apple tv device, and you can get access to content that may not be available in an ipad app or a roku channel.
Of course, you can always plug an antenna in and get free HDTV from your local broadcast channels, and the quality is great if you can get a good signal.
Equipment needed for free online tv:
- Fast broadband internet connection
- Roku, or Apple TV, or Xbox, playstation, Wii, smart tv, Mac PC, IPAD
- Antenna capable of picking up local broadcasts
For just a few bucks a month you can vastly expand your available content with either Netflix, Hulu, or both. Both services start at $8 a month. Another option is a $79 annual Amazon prime membership which includes access to thousands of tv shows and movies, as well as free 2 day shipping, and other great features.
Netflix has a huge library of Tv shows with episodes up to the previous season.
Hulu gives you access to current tv shows, but it does not carry shows from all of the networks.
Amazon prime is quickly catching up to Netflix in both Tv shows and movies that are available to stream with membership.
If you are a sports fanatic, you may also want to look at season pass subscriptions to the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL. The only downside to these is that you won't be able to stream live broadcasts for your local team. However, its a great option for fans with teams that are in another city. I'm a Pacers fan living in Cincinnati, so I can watch all of the Pacer games using the NBA season pass, and the price is about $30 a month.
