How to Watch TV on the Internet

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References

Using Free Websites

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Using Subscription Services

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Streaming Boxes and Sticks

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Tips

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Warnings

Because high-quality streaming video is now more accessible than ever, so you can watch TV on the Internet easily through paid subscription services, free sites and apps, or through streaming boxes. There are lots of options, and each one has its own positives and negatives. Because these methods are all online, these options are available to anyone with an Internet connection and a device that can access the Internet. Once you have that, you're free to choose whichever one works best for you. Once you do choose, you just have to log on and start watching!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Free Websites

1
Make sure you have at least a 3mbps broadband Internet connection. When streaming TV from free websites, the picture quality can be greatly affected by your download speed. Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) (or log into your account) to see if your connection speed meets this recommendation to watch standard-quality TV.^{[1]
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Research source}
- To watch HD-quality TV, opt for at least a 5mbps connection instead.
2
Browse current and old episodes of shows offered directly by TV networks. Visit the websites of different television networks and look for live streams or past episodes of shows. Television networks like ABC, Fox, and the Discovery Channel offer lots of free content on their websites.
- Many networks offer apps that can be installed on your smartphone or tablet.^{[2]
  X
  Research source} Try searching the App Store or Play Store for your favorite network.
- TV.com is a safe aggregate site that provides links to watch TV shows on the network websites. You can sort by category to find new things to watch or search for your favorites.
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3
Browse and watch shows on Crackle. Crackle is an on-demand style service that has a website, mobile apps, and the ability to stream to televisions.^{[3]
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Research source} There will be commercials during the broadcasts, but the site is free, safe to use, and has a mobile app.
4
Browse TV networks on YouTube. Many networks and production companies offer free access to shows and movies right on YouTube.^{[4]
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Research source}
- Browse Youtube Channels for full-length content. Click through the categories at the top of the page to see what is offered.
- Try searching for shows to find uploads from other users.
5
Avoid searching the Internet for different variations of “watch tv online free”. Many sites that claim to links to TV streams or free movies are loaded with malware and potential scams.^{[5]
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Research source} Instead, stick to TV networks’ own websites.
- If you come across a free TV website that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Look the site up on ScamAdvisor.com to view its trust rating, and only use sites that are rated “high trust.”

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Subscription Services

1
Make sure you have at least a 3mbs Internet connection. Subscription services allow you unlimited access to their content for a monthly or yearly payment. Before signing up for a service, make sure your Internet connection is fast enough to provide you with a clear picture. Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to find your download speed.
- To watch HD-quality TV, opt for at least a 5mbps connection instead.^{[6]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Consumer Reports
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
  Go to source}
2
Sign up for an on-demand type service like Netflix or Hulu.^{[7]
X
Research source} For a wide variety of and movies, try one of these services. You’ll be able to search for shows and movies and watch them whenever you want.
- Hulu focuses on recent television show episodes, but also has lots of movies. Netflix specializes in movies and entire seasons of TV shows.
- If you’re already paying for an Amazon Prime account, you have access to their database of TV shows and movies, including some content from cable networks like HBO, Showtime, and Starz.^{[8]
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  Research source}
- You can also stream most of these services to an HDMI or Wi-Fi capable television with a streaming media box or stick, smartphone or tablet.
3
Watch the content provided by your ISP. If you already pay for a broadband Internet provider like Comcast Xfinity, Time Warner, or Verizon Fios, you may have access to local TV broadcasts right on your computer. Check your ISP’s website or give them a call to see what they offer.
4
Subscribe to a premium network service. If you mostly watch shows and movies from pay channels like HBO or Showtime, sign up for one of their dedicated services.^{[9]
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Research source}
- While you’ll have access to shows and movies that are unavailable on other services, they are usually more expensive than Netflix or Hulu.
- Most premium networks also offer apps for smartphones and tablets.^{[10]
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  Research source}
5
Look into cable replacement services.^{[11]
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Research source} Services like Sling TV or PlayStation Vue broadcast typical cable networks over the Internet.
- This option is the most similar to watching regular cable television, as you can usually just watch what’s being shown on each channel.
- Many of these services come with a DVR, so you’ll be able to record shows when you’re too busy to watch TV.
- Most streaming boxes and sticks (such as Roku or Amazon Fire TV) support cable replacement services.^{[12]
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  Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Streaming Boxes and Sticks

1
Get a TV with either an HDMI port or Wi-Fi.^{[13]
X
Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source} You don’t have to have a Smart or Internet TV to watch streaming television over the Internet. As long as your TV has an HDMI port or Wi-Fi, you can use any streaming box (or their stick-like counterparts) to watch shows from a variety of subscription services.
- The HDMI port is a rectangular port that narrows at the bottom. It’s about the same width as a USB port. If your TV was made in the last 6 years, it likely has HDMI.^{[14]
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  Research source}
- Check the manual that came with your TV to see if it is Wi-Fi-capable.
2
Make sure you have at least a 3mbps Internet connection. Ask your ISP if your service meets this recommendation. This will ensure that you have a clear, crisp picture with not too much buffering.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- To watch HD-quality TV, opt for at least a 5mbps connection instead.^{[16]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Consumer Reports
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
  Go to source}
3
Choose the right streaming stick or box for your needs. Now that you have the right TV and Internet service, ask yourself some questions: What do I want to watch? Do I need a remote control? Do I want my box to do more than just stream media? Then, search for reviews on reputable sites like Consumer Reports, CNET, and Engadget.
- If money is an issue, look into Roku Streaming Stick, Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast.^{[17]
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  Research source}
- If you use mostly Apple devices, try the Apple TV box. It works with Siri and iTunes.^{[18]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Consumer Reports
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
  Go to source}
4
Look into paid subscription services. Some of the viewing options on your new box or stick will require either a paid subscription or a payment per episode (or movie). Research each streaming box or stick to find out which services it supports.
- Netflix and Amazon Prime are on every streaming box, so having an account with one of those services could be beneficial.
- In addition to paid services, your streaming box/stick also has free features. For example, you’ll be able to watch YouTube videos on nearly every streaming box.
5
Connect your device to your TV and start watching. Use the instructions that came with your streaming media box or stick to connect your device to the TV—each device has a different setup process.

Warnings

Many “free tv” websites are scams that can install malware on your computer or phone. Don’t click any pop-up ads on these sites, and never install software from a site you don’t completely trust.

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