There are numerous streaming selections available today, and there’s no particular stipulated time for someone to cut the cord. The following are some crafty methods for getting movies and TV shows for free.
If you’re looking for how to stop paying for expensive cable packages and start getting free TV, we’re in the same boat. Actually, the cable industry in the U.S. lost more than 410,000 subscribers at the beginning of 2017 only.
We are all looking for ways that can help us save some cash on cable. After paying a monthly internet and cable bill of $144 for more than two years, you’ll find yourself looking for ways to get free cable TV. Fortunately, there are several different online streaming options where you can watch your favorite movies from without spending any money.
How to Watch Free Cable TV
Cable companies are known to convince people that they are getting the best deal from their expensive packages. However, there are other legit options for you to watch free cable TV online or at an affordable price.
1. Buy an HDTV antenna
TV antennas are finding their way back in the entertainment world. Actually, Parks and Associates conducted new research stating there’s an increase in the number of broadband users who are currently using digital antennas to have increased by 20% since 2017 (this increased further by 16% from early 2015).
These TV antennas are advanced unlike the ones that used to be installed next to a window so that people could get better reception. They antennas are HDTV, meaning that they have better broadcasting signals and a variety of new local channels. People living in the city can get signals for at least 109 channels by using an HDTV antenna. Visit Antenna Web for more information about the channels you can get from your location and the type of antenna you require for optimal reception.
Directional and Omni-directional Antennas
There are two different types of antennas: Directional and Omni-directional. Your location will determine the best option for you as well as other factors associated to the setup in your home.
Directional Antennas
Just as the name states, directional antennas were designed to remain pointed in a single direction. Directional antennas are well suited to be used when:
- The cell tower and the antenna have a clear line of view between them.
- The cell tower’s distance is very far that it can’t be handled by a multi-directional antenna.
- All the cell towers within your reach are located in one direction.
You can shop for the best HD directional antenna which available at less than $50 each from Amazon.
Omni-directional Antennas
On the other hand, omni-directional antennas are designed so that they are able to intercept signals correspondingly well via horizontal directions. These types of antennas are the best choice in terms of clarity especially if you’re not sure of the exact direction the TV signal is coming from.
The antennas use a dual-dimensional symmetrical plane to intercept signals ensuring that they are able to maintain satellite connectivity at all times regardless of whether the signal is bouncing off different objects and buildings. The antennas are a bit more costly compared to directional antennas, but you’ll be getting your money’s worth instead of paying for expensive cable packages.
Outdoor vs. Indoor Antennas
If you want to make sure that you’re always getting excellent reception, consider where you’re going to place your antenna as well. Before you purchase an antenna, you’ll have to figure out whether it’ll be an indoor or outdoor antenna.
Indoor TV Antennas
Indoor antennas are small in size and you can fit it in any room in the house. This is the ideal choice for people living within a 10-mile radius of a TV broadcast tower. They’re also a perfect choice if you live in an area where you can’t mount an outdoor antenna.
Great quality indoor antennas are quite cheap. For example, the AmazonBasics Ultra-Thin Antenna is very affordable and connects within a 50-mile range radius. All you need to do is connect the antenna to the “Ant-In” receiver found on the TV and place the receiver next to a window nearby.
Outdoor TV Antennas
Outdoor TV antennas are the best choice people who live in rural or wooded locations. Since outdoor antennas are usually placed on rooftops, meaning that there’s minimal chances of experiencing signal interruptions from other buildings, roofing materials and walls.
We normally think that outdoor antennas are very expensive. However, most of them are available at costly prices. An 80-mile range antenna costs less than $40.
2. Join a Free Video Streaming Service
The internet is one of the best ways you can find free cable TV because there are numerous video streaming options. You’ll also find some DMCA compliant options so you don’t have to worry about illegal services. Although the services are completely free, there are those that you won’t even need to pay for to be able to sign up for. However, there are services which require users to pay a small fee to log in, or both.
Crackle TV
If you’re looking for a free service where you can binge watch your favorite TV shows from, Crackle TV is a great option. It was previously known as “Grouper,” although it was later rebranded by the network to Crackle TV after it was bought in 2006 by Sony Entertainment.
Warning: the service has several ads in it which run in intervals when people are watching their programs. This can be very annoying but this is what enable the service to be free. Crackle is not only a free TV service, it also provided viewers with quality programming. The content available on Crackle TV goes round on a monthly basis, but there aren’t enough movies and TV shows to select from.
Amazon Prime Video
This is a streaming service for videos which is accessible to members of Amazon Prime. However, if you’re not a registered member of Amazon Prime, you’ll still be able to access Prime Video at a small fee of not more than $10 per month.
With Prime Video, you’ll be able to watch a variety of different TV shows and movies at a small fee or for free. You’ll also be able to access channels from services such as Showtime at a more affordable fee than you regular cable provider.
Related: How to Access Free Amazon Prime
Netflix
Netflix is another popular streaming service for movies and TV programs. The service is currently worth billions of dollars and is being used by more than 75 million subscribers. Although Netflix is not a free service option, you’ll be provided with high-quality programming choices which will be worth the money you spend on it.
Netflix provides subscribers with a 30-day free trial period, which gives you enough time to try out their streaming service. Similar to other services that offer a free trial period, if you don’t like what they’re offering, you’ll be able to cancel the free trial period before it is over.
If you opt to become a Netflix subscriber by the time free trial period is complete, there are three different package plans to select from:
- Basic: At $8.99 per month, you’ll be able to access unlimited TV shows and movies using standard definition.
- Standard: At $12.99 per month, you’ll be able to stream unlimited content through the standard plan. The plan provides users with videos of HD quality and the opportunity to watch programs using two different screens at the same time.
- Premium: At $15.99 per month, you’ll be able to access unlimited content as well as watch quality videos in HD and Ultra HD. You’ll also be able to watch content from four different screens at the same time. This is the best plan for people with families because you’ll all be able to stream on Netflix simultaneously.
Related: How to Get Free Netflix
3. Stream Online Cable TV for Free
If you already have a high-speed internet service, you can as well use this opportunity and watch free internet cable TV.
Use TV.com
TV.com is an online website that provides free television programming. With the website, you’ll be able to watch all your favorite TV shows, movies as well as current news.
Another reason for using the website is because it has a robust community of followers. You won’t only be getting a wide range of TV shows, you’ll also be to discuss about the TV shows you like with other users.
Visit the Network Websites
You can watch current content from network websites like NBC.com, FOX.com and ABC.com by visiting their websites. Although you won’t be able to watch live content, you’ll be getting a great deal because everything is free of charge. You’ll also be able to watch previous episodes of the programs you like as you wait for current episodes to be aired.
Stream Online Classic Television
If you like watching classic television but cannot afford to pay for a subscription, there are free options available out there. Go to Classic Television Online site where you’ll be able to access different types of vintage TV shows. The selection varies from prime-time specials to daytime shows to late-night interviews which will keep you entertained.
Buy a Roku Device
Roku is a streaming device that people have been using for many years, and for numerous great reasons. The Roku device has excellent interface, smart capabilities as well as several awesome features which enable it to offer people with enjoyable TV shows and movies at the comfort of their homes.
Once you plug in a Roku device to the TV, you’ll be able to enjoy both current and past episodes of your favorite shows for free from different cable and network channels. Thanks to Roku’s HDR and 4K technology, it’s the top streaming device in the market, edging out competitors such as Chromecast, Amazon’s Fire TV and Apple TV.
Watch YouTube Videos
YouTube has been evolving over time and is currently one of the biggest video streaming platforms on the internet today. The online video hosting was discovered in 2017 when it launched YouTube TV. Although the service is considered to be new, it has managed to make a major impact using different accounts found in its impressive group of networks. YouTube TV comprises of more than 60 different networks making it the best alternative for cable TV.
Alternative Ways to Get Free Cable
4. Share a Video Streaming Service Account
You can share your streaming passwords with your family members and friends. Actually, a Reuters poll that was performed last year stated that at least a fifth of adults share their login passwords with friends and family. Does this mean that sharing one’s passwords considered to be “private”? There’s no specific answer to this question. There are different rules from different companies pertaining to this practice.
In 2006, Reed Hastings who is Netflix’s CEO said that sharing an accounts streaming login is “par of the course” of the company’s streaming service.
On the other hand, Amazon Prime outlines on their website that “Amazon benefits can be shared with other children, teens and adults in the same house.” This statement can be interpreted in different ways, but you’ll still be able to share your account with other people.
If you don’t know what this mean, just rely on your judgement. But if you decide to give out your login details to your friends or other family members but aren’t comfortable with the decision, don’t.
5. Purchase Tivo Roamio’s DVR Recording Device
If you’re looking for a device that can integrate on-the-air (OTA) streaming, viewing and recording all in a single package, check out the Tivo Roamio DVR Recording Device. This is a one-time charge that will pay for itself eventually once you’re able to stop using your current cable subscription.
You’ll be able to watch programs from different streaming apps like Amazon Video, Hulu, Netflix and others without needing to alternate the inputs every time.
6. Negotiate Your Cable Bill
You won’t get free TV by negotiating your cable bill, although there’s no harm in trying it out, especially when you acquire a service such as Trim.
Trim is a free app which will help you reduce the amount of money you spend, get subscriptions that you’ll end up cancelling and also negotiate your current cable bill. If you’d like to stop making those yearly phone calls to your cable provider in order to negotiate your bill, then Trim is your way out.
Determine the Most Suitable Free Cabe TV Subscription for You
It your top priority is to reduce or eliminate your cable bill and you don’t want to stop watching TV in the long run, there numerous alternatives available out there. The service you decide to use will be determine by factors like personal preference, budget and location.
Televisions are meant to provide relaxation and entertainment and not stress every other month pertaining to expensive service bills.
