In this article I'm going to show you how you can watch live TV on your computer or laptop or any other smart device for that matter. This is a lot easier than you may think! That said, you are going to require a little bit of setup and hardware in order to be able to stream and watch live TV on your computer or any other smart device in your home.
As you can see, I am streaming the 'Family Fued' live on Fox using my Windows 10 computer and it comes complete with a channel guide!
- You just need to have the right ports and cables available (and have a setup where you can get your computer close to your TV), but you're guaranteed a fast and stable connection.
- All but one of the Channel setting options greyed out on Sony Wega TV. Need to access 'Cable' option so can turn Cable off. Samsung TV un60h7150afxza - wireless and cabled internet issues + remote issues: No cable available, don't want dish. Can I setup a wireless access point through a split coaxial cable that is currently attached to a set.
How am I doing it you ask??? Keep reading and I'll tell you everything you need to know in order to stream crystal clear HDTV to any computer, TV, laptop or smart device in your house!
All but one of the Channel setting options greyed out on Sony Wega TV. Need to access 'Cable' option so can turn Cable off. Samsung TV un60h7150afxza - wireless and cabled internet issues + remote issues: No cable available, don't want dish. Can I setup a wireless access point through a split coaxial cable that is currently attached to a set.
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – Network Tuner
In order to be able to stream free live TV to any device in your house you are first going to need to invest in at least one network tuner. I highly recommend the SiliconDust HDHomeRun EXTEND HDTV (2-Tuner) for your setup. Once you pick up one of these guys up and pair it with an HDTV antenna, you'll be streaming live TV to your computer and every other smart device in your house.
Warning
Governments and ISPs across the world monitor their users' online activities. If found streaming copyright content, you could get into serious legal trouble. Currently, your IP [ipt_address] is visible to everyone. I strongly recommend that you get the best VPN for streaming and hide your identity so that your entertainment doesn't take a turn for the worst.
Here are the reasons why you must use a VPN all the time.
I personally use and recommend you use one of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, IPVanish or PureVPN. They are the fastest and most secure VPNs in the industry.
If you want to see my exact setup, I did an article The Best HDTV Antenna Setup Right Now! In this article I go over my exact setup that shows you everything I am doing to receive free live TV to every device in my house.
Back to the hardware… So you're going to need to pick up at least one SiliconDust HDHomeRun EXTEND HDTV (2-Tuner) for each antenna you have or plan to have.
Yes, sometimes it is advantageous to have multiple antennas pointed in different directions. The advantage of having multiple antennas is that you will not have to reposition your antenna to pick up different channels from different broadcast towers.
In fact, I have two! Living in the Buffalo area I have one antenna pointed towards Jametown NY and another pointed towards the CN Tower in Toronto Canada.
However, at no point do I split these signals. Both antennas run directly into their own SiliconDust HDHomeRun EXTEND HDTV (2-Tuner). This means not only can I keep the antenna runs short, but I can also ensure I have maximum signal strength because I'm not putting them into a tuner.
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – Antenna
If you don't already have an HDTV antenna, then you are going to need at least one of these as well. I've reviewed many on this site! Depending on your geographic region and whether or not you need to go with an indoor antenna or an outdoor antenna, I will list a few top performers here. When at all possible
I highly recommend an outdoor antenna. The fewer obstructions, bricks, mortar, trees, mountains, valleys you have in your way the better. So here are the antenna I recommend for both indoor and outdoor.
Recommended Indoor HDTV Antennas:
1. Mohu Curve 50 TV Antenna Amplified 50-Mile Range MH-110567
The Mohu Curved HDTV Antenna will allow you to access all HDTV channels and will be ready to receive 4K OTA Broadcasts in your area within a 50 mile range without the need for cable or satellite subscription. This list of channels should include local stations plus all the major network channels such as, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and Fox. This antenna is also backed by a 1 year limited warranty, so if there are any issues or you're not satisfied with the performance, simply return it for a full refund.
2. ClearStream ECLIPSE Amplified TV Antenna
The ClearStream Eclipse has one of the best performance ratings in its class and grips to your wall using its Sure Grip technology for easy installation (no screws or fasteners required). It also comes in multiple colors (black or white) so you can color coordinate the room you will be placing it in. The antenna is supplied with a 20dB In-Line Signal Amplifier, 15 ft. Coaxial Cable, 5 ft. USB Cable and USB Power Adapter.
Even though this indoor antenna is rated second on my list believe me, it's a very close second (I have a few AntennaJunkies.com friends who disagree with me on this one…sorry guys my website!). Just like the Mohu, this antenna will pull in all the local and major network channels such as, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and Fox, in your broadcast area. It should be noted also that this antenna is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
3. Channel Master CM-4001HD FLATenna Ultra-thin Indoor TV Antenna
As is the case with most Indoor HDTV Antennas, the ChannelMaster Flatenna will receive crystal clear HDTV signals from all directions and its non-intrusive design makes it a nice addition to a living room wall or window, and will be ready to receive 4K OTA Broadcasts at a range of 35 miles.
Recommended Outdoor HDTV Antennas:
Like I said above, when at all possible, in order to ensure you receive clear, crisp HDTV Antenna signals there is really no substitute to installing an outdoor antenna. Giving your antenna a clear, unobstructed view to the broadcast transmission towers in your area, free of walls, bricks and mortar, will pay huge dividends when it comes to the number of channels, picture quality and reliability you will receive.
Okay, so let's list the top 3 antennas we've rate here on AntennaJunkies.com so you have a shortlist that is sure to satisfy any Outdoor Antenna installation need.
1. RCA Compact Outdoor Yagi HDTV Antenna
I just love this little RCA Yagi Antenna. It continues to rank in the top spot on Amazon and any other reputable review site (including ours) on the internet today. The reason this is such a great little antenna is that it will easily pull in all your local HDTV broadcasts within a 60-mile radius. It's fold-out and compact design makes it a cinch to rooftop, chimney, attic or fascia mount.
This little guy, that will not take up more than a few feet in any direction, will pull in all local and major network channels in your area such as, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and Fox. The RCA Yagi Antenna utilizes a cross-phase, multi-directional design that will deliver nothing short of stunning HD picture quality, noise mitigation and a beam pattern that will pick up broadcast towers from multiple directions.
At well under $100 for this antenna, it goes unmatched in its class and is my top pick and it will be more than ready to receive 4K OTA Broadcasts.
2. 8 Element Bowtie Indoor/Outdoor HDTV Antenna – 70 Mile Range
If you need a little more range, then look no further than the 8 Element Bowtie Outdoor HDTV Antenna from Antennas Direct. I have a small little cottage that is 80+ miles from the nearest broadcast tower and this guy pulls those HDTV signals with ease and I can be rest assured that this antenna will be ready to receive 4K OTA Broadcasts.
I should add that this exceeds the 70 mile range advertised and I can only surmise that this is likely due to the fact that I'm on a lake (lakes generally are flat!!!) and slightly perched up on a point. In addition, I have it mounted atop a 30′ mast with no viewable obstructions.
3. ClearStream 4 Outdoor HDTV Antenna
Third on my list is the ClearStream 4 Outdoor HDTV Antenna by Antennas Direct. This is another solid choice if you need a little more range than the Yagi antenna listed above. This antenna just looks cool and is a solid performer capable of pulling in high quality HDTV signal from 70 miles out and of course will be ready to receive 4K OTA Broadcasts when they're available.
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – Connecting It All
Now that you have your antenna installed connected into your SiliconDust HDHomeRun EXTEND HDTV (2-Tuner) you're ready to connect the tuner to your router! I recommend you consider the location of all these devices. The nice thing about these tuner boxes is they don't need to reside anywhere near your computer, television or other smart devices in your home. For my install I've actually put the tuners in an upstairs office closet to keep my antenna coax runs as short as possible.
To power them I just ran an extension cord with a power bar. The next thing you're going to need to do is run some Ethernet cable from your router into the back of the tuner boxes to have a solid 'wired' connection. This is why I said that careful planning should be taken. It may not be easy to run the wired connection and still keep your antenna coax run as short as possible.
Just for your information, for RG6 cable, you can expect losses as follows for every 100 feet:
Channel 2 (approx. 60 MHz) …………… 1.5 dB/100'
Channel 13 (approx. 216 MHz) ………. 3.0 dB/100'
Channel 24 (approx. 536 MHz) ………. 4.5 dB/100'
Channel 51 (approx. 698 MHz) .….…. 5.6 dB/100'
So clearly keeping these shorter is better! So at the back of your tuner you will have a spot to connect your antenna, a power cord and an Ethernet cable that will run out to your router. Make sure all of these connections are made as shown.
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – Software Setup
If you've been following my recommendations and have picked up one of the SiliconDust HDHomeRun EXTEND HDTV (2-Tuner) and installed your HDTV antenna, and connected the tuner box to your router, you are ready to install the software and configure it. I'm going to be showing you how to watch live TV on your computer, and for me that means Windows 10.
To download the software navigate to the HDHomeRun website. Here you will be able to download the correct software for your device. If you're like me and setting this up at least initially on Windows 10, then choose that option.
This will allow you to download the app to your computer and install it. Once installed you'll want to navigate to the HDHomeRun Setup tool. This will allow you to scan for channels, and update firmware (more on this later).
When you first launch this application it is going to scan your network automatically for available tuners. Like I said, I have two SiliconDust HDHomeRun EXTEND HDTV (2-Tuner) and each one of them has two tuner.
This means on each antenna I can watch and record two different channels at the same time! Now navigate to the 'Digital Antenna' tab, choose your tuner device and click the scan button. This will pull in all the channels you are receiving from your antenna with good quality.
These tuners also have built-in DVR functionality. Simply navigate to the DVR tab and tell and check the box to 'Use this PC for making recordings' or if you prefer a NAS (which I recommend so you don't have to leave your computer on all the time) choose the 'Use Network Attached Storage (NAS) for making recordings. For a top-of-the-line NAS device, I recommend the Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS218+.
You will need to buy the hard disk drives separately for this unit and I recommend you go with a minimum of two WD Red 2TB NAS Hard Disk Drives. If your budget can afford it go to a 4TB or even a 6TB. The nice thing about this NAS device is you can implement RAID technology, which means you can have data redundancy and it can double as a file storage device as well!
For the 'Advanced' tab, I generally don't change anything in here so you can just skip that tab. Now click 'Apply' and 'OK' and the configuration will be updated to your tuner. Sometime a picture (or video in this case) is worth a thousand words. Check out my YouTube video where I go over this as well as some cool tips and tricks that allow you to do some additional configurations.
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – Additional Setup
If you watched the entire video above then you likely already know where I'm going with this. Once everything is installed and on your network navigate to the following url: https://my.hdhomerun.com/. This will allow you to perform some additional configurations such as update the firmware, turn on or off channels for a particular tuner box and set the trans-coding configurations.
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – The Results
If you followed along with everything I have recommended in this article then you should be able to watch live TV on your computer, laptop, or any other smart device that is supported by HDHomeRun…which is pretty much most of them! Simply navigate to the HDHomeRun App on your start page and launch. Starcraft 2 graphics comparison.
The initial launch screen will go out on your network to find your available tuners and you should be able to watch live TV on your computer in crystal clear HD!
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – Final Words
I hope you've found this article useful and I have answered the question, 'How to watch live TV on your computer'. The last thing you may want to consider is purchasing a VPN. VPNs provide fast, safe streaming while online and can get around certain geo-blocked content. If you're in the market for a rock-solid VPN, check out my recommendations below.
Recommended VPN Providers
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | IPVanish | PureVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Speed Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Traffic Logging | No | No | No | No |
| Support Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Price Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Price | approx. $8.32/month | approx. $3.99/month | approx. $3.74/month | approx. $3.59/month |
I should add that this exceeds the 70 mile range advertised and I can only surmise that this is likely due to the fact that I'm on a lake (lakes generally are flat!!!) and slightly perched up on a point. In addition, I have it mounted atop a 30′ mast with no viewable obstructions.
3. ClearStream 4 Outdoor HDTV Antenna
Third on my list is the ClearStream 4 Outdoor HDTV Antenna by Antennas Direct. This is another solid choice if you need a little more range than the Yagi antenna listed above. This antenna just looks cool and is a solid performer capable of pulling in high quality HDTV signal from 70 miles out and of course will be ready to receive 4K OTA Broadcasts when they're available.
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – Connecting It All
Now that you have your antenna installed connected into your SiliconDust HDHomeRun EXTEND HDTV (2-Tuner) you're ready to connect the tuner to your router! I recommend you consider the location of all these devices. The nice thing about these tuner boxes is they don't need to reside anywhere near your computer, television or other smart devices in your home. For my install I've actually put the tuners in an upstairs office closet to keep my antenna coax runs as short as possible.
To power them I just ran an extension cord with a power bar. The next thing you're going to need to do is run some Ethernet cable from your router into the back of the tuner boxes to have a solid 'wired' connection. This is why I said that careful planning should be taken. It may not be easy to run the wired connection and still keep your antenna coax run as short as possible.
Just for your information, for RG6 cable, you can expect losses as follows for every 100 feet:
Channel 2 (approx. 60 MHz) …………… 1.5 dB/100'
Channel 13 (approx. 216 MHz) ………. 3.0 dB/100'
Channel 24 (approx. 536 MHz) ………. 4.5 dB/100'
Channel 51 (approx. 698 MHz) .….…. 5.6 dB/100'
So clearly keeping these shorter is better! So at the back of your tuner you will have a spot to connect your antenna, a power cord and an Ethernet cable that will run out to your router. Make sure all of these connections are made as shown.
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – Software Setup
If you've been following my recommendations and have picked up one of the SiliconDust HDHomeRun EXTEND HDTV (2-Tuner) and installed your HDTV antenna, and connected the tuner box to your router, you are ready to install the software and configure it. I'm going to be showing you how to watch live TV on your computer, and for me that means Windows 10.
To download the software navigate to the HDHomeRun website. Here you will be able to download the correct software for your device. If you're like me and setting this up at least initially on Windows 10, then choose that option.
This will allow you to download the app to your computer and install it. Once installed you'll want to navigate to the HDHomeRun Setup tool. This will allow you to scan for channels, and update firmware (more on this later).
When you first launch this application it is going to scan your network automatically for available tuners. Like I said, I have two SiliconDust HDHomeRun EXTEND HDTV (2-Tuner) and each one of them has two tuner.
This means on each antenna I can watch and record two different channels at the same time! Now navigate to the 'Digital Antenna' tab, choose your tuner device and click the scan button. This will pull in all the channels you are receiving from your antenna with good quality.
These tuners also have built-in DVR functionality. Simply navigate to the DVR tab and tell and check the box to 'Use this PC for making recordings' or if you prefer a NAS (which I recommend so you don't have to leave your computer on all the time) choose the 'Use Network Attached Storage (NAS) for making recordings. For a top-of-the-line NAS device, I recommend the Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS218+.
You will need to buy the hard disk drives separately for this unit and I recommend you go with a minimum of two WD Red 2TB NAS Hard Disk Drives. If your budget can afford it go to a 4TB or even a 6TB. The nice thing about this NAS device is you can implement RAID technology, which means you can have data redundancy and it can double as a file storage device as well!
For the 'Advanced' tab, I generally don't change anything in here so you can just skip that tab. Now click 'Apply' and 'OK' and the configuration will be updated to your tuner. Sometime a picture (or video in this case) is worth a thousand words. Check out my YouTube video where I go over this as well as some cool tips and tricks that allow you to do some additional configurations.
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – Additional Setup
If you watched the entire video above then you likely already know where I'm going with this. Once everything is installed and on your network navigate to the following url: https://my.hdhomerun.com/. This will allow you to perform some additional configurations such as update the firmware, turn on or off channels for a particular tuner box and set the trans-coding configurations.
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – The Results
If you followed along with everything I have recommended in this article then you should be able to watch live TV on your computer, laptop, or any other smart device that is supported by HDHomeRun…which is pretty much most of them! Simply navigate to the HDHomeRun App on your start page and launch. Starcraft 2 graphics comparison.
The initial launch screen will go out on your network to find your available tuners and you should be able to watch live TV on your computer in crystal clear HD!
How To Watch Live TV On Your Computer – Final Words
I hope you've found this article useful and I have answered the question, 'How to watch live TV on your computer'. The last thing you may want to consider is purchasing a VPN. VPNs provide fast, safe streaming while online and can get around certain geo-blocked content. If you're in the market for a rock-solid VPN, check out my recommendations below.
Recommended VPN Providers
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | IPVanish | PureVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Speed Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Traffic Logging | No | No | No | No |
| Support Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Price Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Price | approx. $8.32/month | approx. $3.99/month | approx. $3.74/month | approx. $3.59/month |
And if you haven't already done so, be sure to check out my Top 10 Antenna Picks for this year and leave me a comment!
If you want to cut the cable and watch TV for free, you're not alone. In fact, the U.S. cable industry lost 410,000 subscribers during the first quarter of 2017 alone.
People clearly want to save money on cable, including me.
After paying $144 a month for cable and internet for the past two years, I decided to start researching how to get free cable TV if at all possible. Even though I wanted to save money on my bill, I was not ready to entirely give up TV. What I discovered is that there are a number of online streaming options that allow me to watch my favorite shows and keep cash in my wallet at the same time.
How to Watch Cable TV for Free
Although cable companies try to convince you that their expensive pricing is the best deal, there are plenty of legit options to watch live cable TV online for free or a significantly reduced cost.
1. Get an HDTV antenna
TV Antennas are making a comeback in a big way. In fact, new research from Parks Associates reports that the percentage of U.S. broadband users who have taken to using digital antennas in their home hasincreased to 20 percent since the end of 2017 (up from 16% in early 2015).
These aren't the TV antennas we used to install near a window to get decent reception, either. These are HDTV antennas, meaning superior broadcast signals and a ton of new local channels. And if you live near a city, an HDTV antenna can receive signals from up to 109 channels. You can visit Antenna Web to check how many channels you can access from your location and which type of antenna will give you optimal reception.
Directional and omni-directional (types of antennas)
There are two types of antennas: Directional and Omni-directional. The best option depends on your location and other factors related to your home setup.
Directional antennasAs the term implies, directional antennas are designed to be pointed in one direction. Using a directional antenna is best when:
- There's a clear line of sight between the antenna and the cell tower.
- When the cell tower is too far for a multi-directional antenna to handle.
- When all accessible cell towers are located in a specific direction.
You can usually find a decent HD directional antenna on Amazon for fewer than $50.
Omni-directional antennasOmni-directional antennas, on the other hand, are designed to intercept signals equally well in all horizontal directions. These multi-directional antennas are your best bet when you can't tell for sure where the TV signal is coming from.
Since these antennas intercept signals in a two-dimensional geometric plane, they are capable of maintaining satellite connectivity even when signals are bouncing off buildings and other objects. They are slightly more expensive than directional antennas, but still a great value compared to paying for cable.
Indoor vs. outdoor antennas (where to put your antenna)
To ensure that reception conditions are always excellent, you have to take into account the location of your antenna as well. As such, you have to decide whether you'll be using an outdoor or indoor antenna.
Indoor TV antennasAn indoor TV antenna is small and can be placed in any room, and may be the best option for you if you live near TV broadcast towers, preferably within 10 miles. They're also ideal if you live in a location where mounting an outdoor antenna is not an option.
High-quality indoor TV antennas are very affordable. The AmazonBasics Ultra-Thin Antenna, for instance, has a decent 50-mile range at is super affordable. You can set up an indoor TV antenna with little to no hassle. Simply plug the antenna into the 'Ant In' receiver on your TV and mount the receiver in a nearby window.
Outdoor TV antennasAn outdoor TV antenna might be ideal if you live in wooded or rural areas. Since outdoor antennas are typically mounted on rooftops, they are less likely to experience signal obstructions caused by roofing materials, buildings, and walls.
Most people think outdoor TV antennas are expensive. On the contrary, most can be purchased at affordable prices. You can get one with an 80-mile range for under $40.
2. Sign up for a free video streaming service
If you're looking for free cable TV, the internet offers a wealth of video streaming services. They're also DMCA compliant so you can rest assured that they are completely legal. While some are completely free, and some of them won't even require you to sign up for an account, a few to require a login, charge a small fee, or sometimes both.
Can I Get Cable On My Laptop Tv
Crackle TV
If you love to binge-watch movies and TV shows for free, give Crackle TV a try. 3d woman creator. Originally called 'Grouper,' the network rebranded as Crackle TV after Sony Entertainment purchased the company in 2006.
A word of warning: the streaming service runs ads within the content at set intervals. Although it can be a little annoying, it's also what helps keep the service free. Not only is it a way to get free television, but Crackle also offers a lot of quality programming. While the content on Crackle TV rotates monthly, there's no shortage of TV shows and movies to choose from.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is a video streaming service available for Amazon Prime members. If you're not an Amazon Prime member, you can still get Prime Videofor fewer than $10 a month.
Prime Video offers access to thousands of movies and TV shows for free or for a small fee. You can also add cable channels like Showtime for less than you pay your cable provider.
Netflix
Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services available. To date, the billion-dollar service has over 75 million subscribers. And while Netflix isn't free, the high-quality and volume of programming options make the cost worth it.
Can I Get Cable On My Laptop Windows 10
Netflix offers a free 30-day trial, so you have more than enough time to sample the streaming service. Like all free trial offers, you can cancel anytime before the trial ends if you're not happy with the service.
If you decide to subscribe to Netflix at the end of your free trial, you can choose from three different plans:
- Basic: For $8.99 a month, you can stream unlimited movies and TV shows in standard definition.
- Standard: For $12.99 a month, the Standard plan allows you to stream unlimited content. The plan also offers HD video quality and the option to watch on two screens at a time.
- Premium: For $15.99 per month, you get unlimited content and the option to watch in HD and Ultra HD. You'll also have the capability to watch content on four screens simultaneously. It works well if you want a plan for your entire family.
Even with the most expensive plan, you pay only a fraction of what you'd pay for a regular cable package. If you figure out a way to make a few bucks from home, you can pay for your Netflix without dipping into your regular monthly budget.
Related: How and Where to Watch Movies Online for Free
3. Stream cable TV online yourself for free
If you're already paying monthly for high-speed internet service, you can maximize your subscription by streaming cable TV on the internet for free.
Use TV.com
As the website name itself suggests, TV.com is a website that focuses on television programming. It's a good place to keep up with your favorite TV shows and the latest news.
Another good reason to stick around is the website's robust community of television fans. Not only does it provide a comprehensive list of TV shows to enjoy, but you can also talk about your favorite shows with other members.
Visit the network websites
Network websites such as FOX.com, ABC.com, and NBC.com allow you to watch their programs on the same day they air. While you won't get to see their content live, it's still a great deal considering it's free of charge. You can also watch episodes from previous seasons while waiting for the current episode.
Use Classic Television Online
If you want to watch television classics without paying for a monthly subscription, there's an option for that. Visit the Classic Television Online website and you can have access to a comprehensive list of vintage television shows. From daytime shows, to prime-time specials, to memorable late-night interviews, there's a lot in this collection to indulge your nostalgia.
Purchase a Roku device
Roku has been the streaming device of choice by many for years, and for many good reasons. With its smart capabilities, excellent interface, and a slew of awesome features, Roku has revolutionized the way we enjoy movies and TV shows from the comfort of our own homes.
By connecting your Roku device to your TV, you can enjoy past and current episodes from different networks and cable channels for free. With the advent of 4K and HDR technology, Roku continues to lead the streaming device market, edging out competitors like Apple TV, Amazon's Fire TV, and Chromecast.
Watch YouTube videos
YouTube has evolved to become the largest online video platform in the world. In 2017, the video hosting service ventured into internet TV by launching YouTube TV. The service may be new, but it's already made a big impact on account of its impressive package of networks. With over 60 networks already under its belt, YouTube TV is staking its claim as one of the best cable TV alternatives.
Alternative Methods to Receiving Free Cable
4. Share a video streaming service account
Sharing streaming passwords with friends and family happens all the time. In fact, a Reuters poll conducted last year reported that a full one-fifthof young adults shared their streaming logins. So, is sharing passwords considered 'piracy'? Unfortunately, there's no clear answer. Even streaming companies have differing stances on the practice.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said in 2016 that sharing streaming account logins is 'par for the course' for its streaming service.
Amazon Prime, meanwhile, says on its website that 'Amazon Household allows you to share Amazon benefits with another adult, teens, and children in your household.' 'In your household' is the operative phrase there as it leaves room for interpretation.
If you're unsure what you want to do, rely on your judgment. But if you have decided to share your password with a friend and you'refeeling guilty about it, don't.
5. Buy Tivo Roamio's DVR Recording Device
If you want a device that seamlessly integrates OTA (on-the-air) viewing, recording, and streaming in one neat package, consider the Tivo Roamio DVR Recording Device. It's a steep one-time cost, but eventually pays for itself if you are able to ditch your cable subscription.
You can enjoy your favorite streaming apps including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, and more, without swapping inputs all the time.
6. Negotiate your cable bill
Negotiating your cable bill won't result in getting free television but it's still worth a shot, especially if you use a service like Trim.
Trimis a free app that can sift through your spending habits, find subscriptions you should probably cancel, and can even negotiate your cable bill. If you hate making that annual phone call to your cable company to negotiate your bill, definitely give Trim a shot.
Determine Which Free Cable TV Method is Best for Your Household
If eliminating or reducing your cable bill is a priority, but you don't want to give up TV completely, there are alternatives for watching your favorite shows and movies. Which one (or ones) you choose depends on factors including your location, budget, and personal preferences.
TV is something that should provide entertainment and relaxation, not monthly stress over an expensive bill.
Related: 13 Legit Ways to Make Money Watching Videos
