We were all told that “cutting the cable cord” would be a wise, long-term move for consumers. It would save us a lot of money and give us access to more content.
TV Streaming
There is no doubt that TV streaming has given us access to a lot more content. In fact, there is so much content to watch who really has the time to watch it all?
As a result, some really good streaming series are often put on the chopping block, or move from one service to another after only one or two seasons, because the services are trying to pull from the same audience pool.
However, that isn’t all. Within the last couple of years, the number of streaming services has been multiplying like rabbits. Where Netflix and Amazon Prime were once the major sources of library and original streaming content, now just about every studio has jumped in with their own streaming service.
Here are some examples that are available in addition to Netflix and Amazon Prime:
Disney+ – If you want to watch anything Disney, Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic or Star Wars, you have to subscribe to Disney+.
DirecTV Stream — Bundles standard and premium cable channels along with the most regional live sports and cloud DVR.
EPIX Now – MGM movies, original series and documentaries
Hulu – If you want to watch movies or shows from 20th Century Fox then Hulu is your destination.
fuboTV — Live sports and TV without cable. Cloud DVR included.
HBO Max – HBO Max provides HBO, Warner Bros, and DC content.
Paramount+ – All things CBS and Star Trek, plus live local TV and NFL games
Discovery+ – Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, A&E, and about 20 more nacable channels
Showtime – Movies, original series, and live sports
Peacock – Peacock gives you content from Universal Studios and NBC
Philo – Live streaming cable channels and on-demand movies and show with unlimited DVR
Apple TV+ – Apple TV+ provides its own exclusive content but has also secured sole rights to the celebrated former Peanuts TV specials and movies as well as rights to produce and show more.
Sling TV – Stream live TV, sports and a la carte cable channels (packages)
Starz – Hit movies and original series
Sony is the only major movie studio that doesn’t have its own subscription streaming service other than its exclusive Bravia Core service available only to select Bravia TV owners. Instead, Sony has opted to spread its content between Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu.
This fragmentation also makes it hard for viewers to find content, as many of us don’t associate specific content titles with specific studios. As a result, you can end up spending more time trying to find what service has your favorite show or movie than actually watching it.
However, one glimmer of hope is that services such as Reelgood offer a search tool that usually tells you if a show or movie is available on streaming and what streaming service(s) have it. Reelgood is free to use.
Music Streaming
In addition to TV and movie content, music streaming services offer a huge amount of content. However, just as with video streaming services, not every service provides all the music you might want to listen to.
For example, Spotify has a lot of popular music, but it doesn’t have all of the jazz and classical music that some listeners might be looking for. Also, services such as TIDAL and Qobuz provide better quality with some content offered in Hi-res audio formats, which isn’t necessarily available in some other music streaming services.
More Services Means Higher Cost
What all this means is that to access your favorite content, you usually have to subscribe to more than one of the growing number of streaming services. Depending on how many services you subscribe to, your monthly streaming bill can be as much or more as your previous cable/satellite bill was. Things get even worse if one service cancels your favorite show and it gets picked up by another service that you aren’t already subscribing to.
Streaming Service Price Examples Service Monthly Plan Annual Plan Includes Ads Apple TV+ $9.99 $99.99 No Discovery+ $4.99 – Yes Paramount+ Essential $4.99 $49.99 Yes Peacock Premium $5.99 $49.99 Yes EPIX Now $5.99 $60.00 No Discovery+ (Ad-free) $8.99 – No ESPN+ $6.99 $69.99 Some** Hulu $6.99 $69.99 Yes Disney+ $13.99 $139.99 No Netflix (with Ads) $6.99 – Yes Showtime $8.99 – No Starz $8.99 – No Paramount+ Premium $9.99 $99.99 Some** Peacock Premium Plus $11.99 – No* Hulu (No ads) $12.99 – No* Netflix Standard (HD) $15.49 – No Max (formerly HBO MAX) $15.99 $159.99 No Netflix Premium (4K) $22.99 – No Philo $25.00+ – Yes Sling TV $35.00+ – Some** fuboTV $64.99+ – Some** YouTubeTV $64.99 – Some** DirecTV Stream $69.99+ – Yes Hulu + Live TV
with Disney+ and ESPN+ $69.99 – Yes Hulu (No ads) + Live TV
with Disney+ and ESPN+ $75.99 – No*
*Due to streaming rights, a small amount of programming will still contain ads
** Live TV will contain ads
Carriage Disputes
Another sign that streaming isn’t as dependable as you might think is the recent disputes between Google and Roku over YouTube/YouTube TV access and the brief removal and quick return of Disney-owned channels on YouTube TV.
As much as we depend on streaming, you have to remember that what you can access is all about the money and who controls the content.
One thing that is getting more important is streaming “carriage deals”. This is where streaming services that offer cable channels over the internet (such as YouTube TV, Fubo TV, and Sling TV) carry channels offered by a content provider (such as Disney or a TV network) for a negotiated time frame and price.
At the end of the carriage time frame, the deal is either extended, re-negotiated, or canceled. The terms of the negotiation are dependent on how valuable the streaming service thinks the content provider’s channels are to maintain (and hopefully increase) the number of subscribers to their service.
As the recent disputes between Google and Roku and Google and Disney prove, streaming is not as dependable as you might think.
Nobody wants to wake up and find out that their favorite series that they have been binging or channel they like is suddenly no longer available due to a contract dispute.
What Consumers Really Want
All consumers want is access to content. If streaming can’t deliver the content we want at the price we want, cable/satellite and physical media are still around.
However, cable and satellite also experience periodic contract disputes that may result in the removal of channels and content. If you have ever received a notice that a favorite local TV channel might be removed from your cable/satellite service, only to be returned at some point, you know what I am referring to.
Don’t Forget About Physical Media
There is no way you can afford to purchase all your favorite content on physical media, but despite the advent of streaming, it still has a valuable role to play.
The thing to remember is that it’s not guaranteed that your favorite movie or show will always be available on a streaming service. Most streaming services cycle content in and out on monthly basis.
Also, if you buy a digital version of a movie, it may not remain accessible after a period of time, despite assurances by the streaming service you “purchased” it from. Unlike physical media, a streaming or digital version can be altered, censored, or removed for a variety of reasons including the changing winds of political or cultural standards.
However, if you buy something on physical media you own it – and as long as you have a device that can play it on you can enjoy it.
What is interesting is that a growing number of music fans are seeing the value of preserving physical media as sales of vinyl records continue to climb after its supposed “death” about 40 years ago with the advent of CD, but even cassettes and CDs are beginning to show a slight uptick although vinyl is currently still outselling them.
Regardless of how much you depend on streaming for your entertainment (after all streaming is very convenient), if you want continued access to that special movie, TV show, or music album, don’t toss out those discs and records quite yet. Also, if there is a movie or TV series that you are a real fan of and it is, or becomes available on physical media, consider purchasing it.
Related links:
Podcast: VOD and the Future of Movies Post-COVID
Ric
December 22, 2021 at 6:01 pm
This article is written by an amateur that feels viewers need to pay for TV that is available for free. 90% of America can receive TV for free, with an antenna. Sony DOES have a service and you can download Sony Crackle on your smartphone. It is a FAST free ad supported TV app. There are so many FAST linear multi channel apps, I’ sure I will miss some here. Pluto TV, XUMO, Stirr, Redbox and the Roku channel come to mind. NewsON for local news. The CW app airs their shows the following day, for free. Tubi has more movies and shows than Netflix, for free. One can watch NFL games and the Super Bowl using the Yahoo Sports app on their smartphone, for free. The Canela TV app has 2 live BeIN Sports and Combate, A fight network, all live and for free. Search your address on AntennaWeb to see what you can receive over the air OTA with a an appropriate antenna, for free. I could go on and on, but I don;t have the time. Everything I typed her is legally fre .
Brian Mitchell
December 22, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Ric,
I can assure you Robert is no amateur. This article was not intended to highlight free ways to access or watch TV, of which there are many as you have pointed out. Perhaps we can do a follow-up article to highlight the free TV options. However, consumers can’t get everything for free.
The term “TV” has become a broad brush monicker to encompass local TV, network TV shows, cable TV channels, video on-demand, cable TV originals, theatrical releases, same-day as theater releases, movie archives, syndicated shows, live sports, live news, consumer generated videos (e.g. YouTube), YouTube Live streaming, and all the apps available on smart TVs.
Until one company offers everything that’s ever been produced, consumers have to choose from multiple services — most of which are not free.
Ric
December 22, 2021 at 7:04 pm
Brian, there is too much to stream for free legally, including network television. I have been updating my journal on how to do it for over 25 years. I doubt there’s enough room to paste the text here, but I will try.
Ric’s Free Streaming TV Guide, Ric Douglas, 12/21/2021
Well over a decade ago, my wife & I were paying over $300 per month for cable & satellite. We had to subscribe to everything to get her Filipino shows & news along with the variety of content we both like. It was basically 3 channels for her & 10 channels for both of us that were bundled with hundreds of other channels we had to pay for & never watched. We played around with YouTube, Google & bought the original Roku OTT (Over The Top, of the TV) box. After a month of experimenting, we turned in all the gear & canceled both cable & satellite. We owned our Dish Network receiver & dish, so we just ended the contract. Go to: https://antennaweb.org to get a signal predictor as to what TV channels you can receive at your address. I installed an Antop AT 402BV amplified UHF/VHF antenna with an enclosed slotted plane UHF antenna with VHF dipoles on the South facing eaves of our roof mounted only 20’ off the ground a built in LTE filter on a an eaves mount distributed to 6 TVs with a Channel Master CM 3414. We live in the mountainous fringe reception area of San Diego’s North County, near Camp Pendleton. We receive 85 unique stations, including all the major networks & many more that we’ve never heard of from by aiming center to towers 30 to 75 miles South East of us. 15 are VHF low to high & 70 are UHF. 4 channels come from Los Angeles. All the channels we receive are HD & clearer than anyone can get on streaming 4K streaming as over the air signals are uncompressed. The Antop AT 402BV also comes with 39’ of coaxial cable & a base for indoor surface top usage. One could even place it on a hard surface in an attic, aimed between local & distant antenna towers. First, a sufficient internet service is a requirement. The ability to set the resolution on your TV’s & devices to 1080, 720 or 480 megapixels will help prevent you from going over your internet provider’s data cap which can cause your internet prices to soar up rapidly. 5G wireless service will soon enter the market as an internet provider competitor. You will need at least 5 Mbps to stream live on each device or TV. Do not let anyone try to convince you that you need to pay anything above the price of your internet service, as that as simply false. Here’s my experience based on fact (I am paid by no one to watch or report on watching TV for free on the internet). As a true cord cutter for over a decade, there are too many sources of free TV & entertainment & day/week old shows. Many people use Amazon Prime for purchases & shipping. This comes with Amazon Prime Video. If one does not have Amazon Prime, the same video is free, with ads, on a desktop or laptop, with IMDB. https://www.imdb.com/tv/ I used to use Sprint, which comes with complimentary Hulu basic, for day after TV shows. Now I use T-Mobile, which has Binge On® that allows unlimited streaming on partner apps so you won’t go over your data cap. You can mirror/cast to your TV from your smartphone. https://www.t-mobile.com/content/t-mobile/consumer/offers/binge-on-appslist.html
Peacock TV (NBC) has a free ad supported version as an app or can be added to Roku by following the instructions on this link: https://thestreamable.com/news/peacock-begins-rolling-out-on-rokudevices
Pluto TV has hundreds of channels https://pluto.tv/live-tv/nfl-channel
XUMO TV has hundreds of channels. https://www.xumo.tv/on-now/9999293/this-old-house
Stirr TV has hundreds of channels some regional from Sinclair Broadcasting https://stirr.com/
Distro TV has hundreds of channels. https://www.distro.tv/
Samsung TV+ has a lot of live channels. https://samsungtvplus.com/
Airy TV has hundreds of channels https://live.airy.tv/
Local Now has a lot of streaming channels & is available as an app. https://localnow.com/channels
TV has a lot of live channels. https://cjc.vhx.tv/
Galxy TV has live channels & on demand TV. https://galxy.tv
Stremium is an app for Roku, Fire & Android that has a lot of live channels.
Plex live TV with signup. https://app.plex.tv/desktop#!/media/tv.plex.provider.epg/guide?source=home
Bumblebee TV 24/7 movie & TV channels. https://www.bumblebee.tv/pages/tv2/e/live
Vuuzle TV has hundreds of channels https://www.vuuzle.tv/live-tv
Zennither TV has hundreds of channels https://zenither.tv/
NEW HeroGo TV on Roku, iOS, Fire online 24/7 https://play.herogotv.com/
VUit TV has free ad supported live regional news, sports, entertainment 24/7 &on demand. https://www.vuit.com
Digi TV online 24/7 from Australia & the UK. https://www.watchdigitv.com/watch-live
It’s Real Good TV 3 live channels on Roku, Android & iOS. https://watch.itsrealgoodtv.com/
DunnVision movies & TV on demand with signup. https://dunnvision.ca/app/channels
Classic Movies online on demand. http://classicmovieslist.org/
Classic Cinema Online on demand. https://www.classiccinemaonline.com/
Public Domain Flix online on demand. https://www.publicdomainflix.com/
Free Movies Cinema online on demand. https://www.freemoviescinema.com/search
Retro TV official online 24/7. https://www.getafteritmedia.com/retro-live-feed
ItsRealGoodTV online has Retro TV, Rev’n & Heartland Country Music https://watch.itsrealgoodtv.com/live-tv
OneStreamTV is an aggregate of hundreds of streaming services. https://streamfree.tv/watch/onestream-tv/
Cream Visionz TV LA urban TV online 24/7. https://creamvisionz.com/watch-live/
Doctors TV network has videos on demand. https://www.thedoctorstv.com/videos?page=1
DuPont Network live channels online, Roku, Fire & Google. https://www.dupontnow.com/
ZYPY.TV is a Roku channel app that has a lot of music & other live TV.
Audidio live music videos of many genres online, Android, Apple, Roku & Fire https://audidio.com/
CJC TV has a handful of channels online, Android & iOS. https://cjc.vhx.tv/
Local Now brings you weather, news TV & movies on a smartphone, or tablet using Android or iOS platforms.
WBRZ ABC News live 24/7 online, Android & iOS https://www.wbrz.com/pages/live-stream-3/
Portable TV has live and on demand video, news and sports. https://www.portable.tv/
Open Culture on demand movies. https://www.openculture.com/category/television
Deep C Digital on demand movies. https://www.youtube.com/c/DeepCDigital/featured
Full Free Films on demand movies. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqBi1RfMbdXES6t2iMaIYSA
Viewster TV movies on demand. https://www.youtube.com/user/ViewsterTV
Kino Cult movies online, Roku, Fire, Android & iOS. http://www.kinocult.com
Watch This! Documentaries, news, shows & movies on Roku & FireStick.
WaterBear nature documentaries on Android & Apple. https://www.waterbear.com
Documentary Storm documentaries on demand online. https://www.documentarystorm.com/
GoalCast motivational stories online & on Roku. https://www.goalcast.com/videos/
Afrolandtv 24/7 movies & TV on Roku, Android, iOS, Fire & Google https://www.afrolandtv.com/app?
Uncle Earl’s classic TV shows on demand. https://solie.org/alibrary/index.html
Folk TV app on Android & Apple has vintage 24/7 TV.
Run Time live movies & on demand on Roku.
Gravitas Movies on demand on Roku, Android, Fire & Apple. https://www.gravitasmovies.com/
Maverick Black Cinema movies on demand. https://www.maverickentertainment.cc/movies/
The Killer Movies Channel on demand. https://thekillermoviechannel.net/new-releases/
Internet archive has tons of public domain TV. https://archive.org/
TVDays has classic on demand TV shows. https://www.youtube.com/user/tvdays/videos
TVS Microchannels has a lot of videos on demand. https://www.dailymotion.com/TVSGlobalMedia/playlists
UCLA Classic Film & TV library. https://www.cinema.ucla.edu/collections/watch-listen-online
Filmocracy has a free ad supported registered level. https://filmocracy.com/
Fawesome movies & TV on demand on Roku, Fire, Android, Apple & Microsoft Store.
Movieland TV large movie library on Roku. https://channelstore.roku.com/search/movie+hub
Flix TV live TV on Roku. https://channelstore.roku.com/details/9ec0ab0261cb14fe62d32f2c10b152d7/flix-tv
Video Elephant has an on demand library of almost 100K videos. https://videoelephant.com/library
Old Movies on the web and Android. http://oldmovies.fun/
Vice TV 24/7 criminal TV & movies. https://www.vicetv.com/en_us
Vice Network on demand. https://video.vice.com/en_us/shows
CineLife Independent films live on Android & Apple. https://cinelife.com/watch-live/
FilmOn has 24/7 & on demand in their free section https://www.filmon.com/
HeroGo TV has many live channels: https://www.herogotv.com/
Red1 TV is a live channel app on Android, Apple, Fire & Roku.
Jasmin TV on Roku has music videos with beautiful models. On demand on YouTube.
Eater dining & food on Roku & online on demand. https://www.youtube.com/user/eater1/videos
Bon Appetit cooking videos on demand on Roku & online. https://www.bonappetit.com/video
The Cooking Channel has lots of free cooking classes on demand.
https://www.cookingchanneltv.com/videos/players/full-episodes-player
Hungry Live is a food channel on Roku & FireStick.
GustoTV is a cooking channel on Roku, Pluto, Xumo, STIRR and other platforms
Glewed TV 24/7 TV, news, movies & documentaries on demand. http://www.glewed.tv/
The Konnected TV has both live & on demand TV. https://thekonnectedtv.com/live-stream/
ReelTime TV has cutting edge technology videos on Roku and Fire. https://reeltime.com/vr-shows/
The Tennis Channel streams 24/7. https://tennischannel.com/watchnow/free
Tennis Channel Everywhere 24/7 live. https://tennischanneleverywhere.com/watchnow/free
Outdoor cooking channel streams 24/7 http://outdoorcookingchannel.com
A3bikini channel has 24/7 bikini model music videos. http://a3bikini.com/
Pride Outdoor Network live & on-demand hunting & fishing on Roku & FireStick. http://prideoutdoornetwork.com/
Waypoint TV outdoor sports live & on demand on Android & Apple. https://waypointtv.com
FlixHouse has a lot of free movies on demand. https://www.flixhouse.com/
Vudu has a lot of free TV & movies. You don’t have to use their paysections. https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/uxpage/View-All-FreeMoviesTV/208
TBD (To Be Discovered) has a lot of live @on demand episodes https://tbd.com/live
NewsOn local news casts. Online, or Android or iOS app. http://watchnewson.com/
ABC News 24/7 online https://abc.com/watch-live/abc-news
USNewsOn has live network news feeds. https://usnewson.com/watch/fox-news-live-stream-usa
https://usnewson.com/watch/msnbc-live-stream https://usnewson.com/watch/cnn-news-usa-live-stream
https://usnewson.com/watch/oann-live-stream https://usnewson.com/watch/newsmax-live-stream
Newsy news 24/7 on Android, Apple, Roku & Fire
Cheddar news 24/7 on Android & Apple. https://cheddar.com/live
News on demand from Canada https://www.cbc.ca/player/news/tv%20shows/the%20national
NHK World news & shows live & on demand from Japan with captions in 7 languages. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/live/
TV Asahi has news & shows on demand from Japan. https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/
Russia Today live. https://www.rt.com/on-air/IslandTV live from the Caribbean on Roku, Android, Apple & Fire. https://islandtv.tv/watch-live/
DNBC business shows & news online, Android & Apple. https://dnbc.tv
Giniko cultural, sports & shows from around the world. http://www.giniko.com/country.php?id=236
Nosey TV online & Android, Apple & Roku shows like Jerry Springer. https://www.nosey.com
Bloomberg business news live & available as an app on Android & Apple devices.
Bloomberg Australia live https://www.bloomberg.com/live/australia
EuroNews European news live, available as an app on Android & Apple devices.
Arirang TV live Korean television for English language audiences 24/7. https://youtu.be/52unCHc6AV4
TFC The Filipino Channel on demand. https://tfc.tv/category/free
NBC has recent aired NBC shows. https://www.nbc.com/shows/all/popular
ABC has recently aired ABC shows. Stream and cast from Android & iOS: https://abc.com/apps
Canada Broadcast News is live. https://www.cbc.ca/player/news/live
DoD Department of Defense has on demand defense videos. https://www.defense.gov/
The CW has recently aired CW shows. https://www.cwtv.com/
CW Seed has recent & past aired CW shows. https://www.cwseed.com/
Sony Crackle is similar to Netflix & has content from Sony. https://www.crackle.com/
The Google TV app for smartphones/tablets allows for you to search for a movie/TV show across a multitude of sources. Just
click on the Free button. You can mirror/cast from your smartphone to your TV.
True Crime Network episodes on demand https://watch.truecrimenetworktv.com/shows
Tubi has a huge library of on demand video content. https://tubitv.com/home
Tubi Kids has on demand children’s content https://tubitv.com/category/kids_shows
Grom Social live children’s TV. https://gromsocial.com/gs-s1ep1/
FilmRise mpvies & TV. Watch on FaceBook, Roku, YouTube, Android & iOS. https://www.facebook.com/FilmRiseTV/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz_BJGTYrM4ntr7vsrsjfLw
FilmRise British Roku https://channelstore.roku.com/en-ca/details/f703e08b6f49d1dfe8eabc846658f4bc/filmrise-british-tv
Popcorn Flix has a lot of movies on the web, Android & Apple. https://www.popcornflix.com
Shout Factory TV & movies online, or Android & iOS apps. http://www.shoutfactorytv.com/
The Killer Movie Channel online or Roku. https://thekillermoviechannel.net/new-releases/
Comet Tv scifi online or Roku. https://www.comettv.com/watch-live/
Dust SciFi on Android, Apple, Roku & Fire. https://watchdust.com/watch
24/7 horror & SciFi online. http://themonsterchannel.com/
Twitch is where you can watch other people playing video games. http://twitch.tv/
Filmzie movies, documentaries & short films on Android and Apple. https://filmzie.com/home
Anthym TV has a lot of free 24/7 channels on Roku, Fire, Android & Apple https://www.anthymtv.com/travel
Electric Now has a large library related to Star Trek. It is also available on Android, or Apple. https://www.electricnow.tv/
Freebie TV on Roku TV, Vizio TV, Apple TV, Android TV & Amazon Fire TV. movies, TV, Concerts, live news, radio & many live channels for free.
Kiss Cartoon has links to watch children’s cartoons on demand https://kisscartoon.org/
Watch Cartoon Online has lots of popular cartoons on demand https://www.wco.tv/
Cartoons online has cartoons & anime on demand https://www.cartoonson.net/
Cartoons, anime & cartoon movies on demand. https://www.thewatchcartoononline.tv/
Toon Goggles kids cartoons, shows & movies on Android & iOS.
Sensical safe streaming for kids on Roku, Android, iOS, Fire & most smart TV platforms with signup.
Crunchy Roll anime on demand. https://www.crunchyroll.com/es
Adult Swim many adult cartoons on Android, iOS, iOS & FireStick.
Creature Features is available on Roku, Fire & iOS as science fiction
https://channelstore.roku.com/details/6e7342c258b1980eea5d602a8bb36a78/creature-features-sf
Top Documentary Films large library of documentaries. https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/
Danger TV dangerous documentaries online & Roku. https://www.dangertv.com/
Freejack TV conspiracy shows on Roku.
Only Fans TV for millennials on Roku, Android, iOS & Fire. https://of.tv/
Saltbox TV for seniors on Roku & Fire. https://www.saltboxtv.com/home
Popcorn Flix on demand movies. https://www.popcornflix.com/pages/discover/d/movies
Encourage TV faith based & family TV, & children shows from the Bridgestone Media Group. It is available on Roku, Fire TV,
Android TV & YouTube. https://www.gobmg.com/catalog2/ https://www.youtube.com/c/EncourageTV
The Film Detective on demand nostalgic TV shows. https://thefilmdetective.tv/video/
Victor Valley TV streams its channels live. http://www.victorvalleytv.com/
Retro TV now has their own live TV site. https://www.myretrotv.com/watch
Plymouth Rock TV live, on demand Roku, Android, iOS & FireStick. http://plymouthrocktv.com/watch-live/
AMG TV from San Diego live 24/7 http://amgtv.tv/
Mad River Valley public access TV Live. https://mrvtv.com/live-broadcasts/live-stream/
TBD has live entertaining shows & available on Android & iOS. https://tbd.com/live
TV 25 live & on demand TV from Kansas. https://player.igocast.com/home.html
e+ TV6 live from Tennessee. https://www.eplustv6.com/
WUF TV San Antonio has on demand movies & documentaries on Roku.
KSAT TV streams both live & on demand, from Texas. https://www.ksat.com/ksat-tv/
American Kennel Club live 24/7 https://akc.tv/
Fido TV for dog Lovers is on Roku.
Smile Child is for children & is free 24/7, after you register a login.
https://watch.tbn.org/live-channels/videos/smile
3ABN live faith based children, cooking & other. https://3abn.org/all-streams/3abn.html
Bob Ross Channel is a landscape painters app on Roku.
Billboard live music videos. https://www.billboard.com/liveVideos
NVTV is arts & vision 24/7 from Belfast on Android & Apple. https://www.nvtv.co.uk/livestream/
NASA live streams. https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive
ESNE is live Spanish language 24/7 Catholic TV.
https://elsembradorministries.com/esne-mobile/live/tv-en-vivo—esne.html
Spanish programing TV & radio online & Roku. https://estrellatv.com/
Canela.TV Spanish & English movies, sports online, Roku, Android Apple & Firestick. https://www.canela.tv/?section=movies
Western Mania cowboy movies & TV shows available online, Roku & Apple. http://www.westernmania.com
RedBox now has a free live streaming channel. https://www.redbox.com/stream-free-live-tv
Hotstar Bollywood TV, movies & sports on demand. https://www.hotstar.com/us/languages/english
TVS Television Network launches free streaming with multiple channels! https://www.watchyour.tv/channels.php
24 Hour Free Movies app 24/7 variety movies on Roku.
Otherworlds TV SciFi & horror on Roku. https://my.roku.com/account/add?channel=OtherWorldsTV
Comet TV is a SciFi network, also available as an app https://www.comettv.com/watch-live/
DABL TV is a free lifestyle network. https://www.dabl.com/schedule?watch=
Charge TV extreme action live. https://watchcharge.com/watch-live/
Free horror movies. https://www.bingehorror.com/pages/watch-now/d/most-popular
American Horrors horror shows 24/7 on Roku.
WarFlix has a lot of free on demand war movies. https://warflix.tv
Starlite TV on demand. http://starliteonline.us/
Court TV App & online has 24/7 courtroom & mysteries. https://www.courttv.com/title/court-tv-live-stream-web/
Law & Crime live trials. https://lawandcrime.com/live-trials/
True Crime TV Network on demand mysteries https://watch.truecrimenetworktv.com/
Crimes & Capers streams classic crime TV 24/7 on Roku & Fire. https://www.crimesncapers.com/
Rev’n 24/7 automotive performance channel: https://www.revntv.com/home
Telemundo 20 app has on demand Spanish language video content from Mexico on Android & iOS.
CGTN China news in English live. https://www.cgtn.com/tv
MeTV On Demand app shows of Chicago’s MeTV channel on apps on Android & iOS.
Bounce TV app has on demand shows from their network.
Drink TV on Android, Apple, Fire & Roku. https://www.drinkTV.com
Binge watch The Abbott & Costello Show comedy series on Tubi.
Rotten Tomatoes 24/7 movie trailers, reviews & ratings on Roku.
Heartland Country Music 24/7 Android & iOS. https://www.watchheartlandtv.com/home
The Country Network app 24/7 country music videos on Android & Fire devices.
Retro Music TV live music videos. http://retromusic.cz/
m2o live music videos. https://www.m2o.it/m2o-tv/
Fashion live fashion shows. https://company.fashiontv.com/live/
Hawai’i International Film Festival has short films streaming online. https://hiff.org/hiff-at-home/collection-1/
CBS Sports app has 24/7 sports updates on Android & iOS.
Stadium has 24/7 live sports. https://watchstadium.com/live
USGA golf on demand on Roku, Android, Fire & iOS.
Whistle TV sports, lifestyle & movies on Roku, Samsung & Vizeo. https://watchbr.tv/
SportsGrid TV Network 24/7 live sports. https://videos.sportsgrid.com/pages/discover/d/live
Sportscastr free sports casting website. https://sportscastr.com/stream/87019465
Adventure Sports Network outdoor sports on Roku. Online with signup.
https://videos.adventuresportsnetwork.com/signup
A7FL is no helmet no pads football on Roku.
Global Polo is free polo games on Roku.
NHRA TV is racing on Roku.
Buzzr 24/7 live game shows https://buzzrtv.com/watch
People TV 24/7 on Roku, Fire, Android, Apple, Vizio & Samsung. https://peopletv.com/live/
Business Rockstars entrepreneur TV 24/7 & on demand. https://watchbr.tv/
ClixTV showcases short video series from your favorite stars and influencers. http://www.clixtv.com
Quest adventure TV on demand online, Roku, Amazon, Android & Apple. https://watch.questtv.com/
This Old House live & on demand https://www.thisoldhouse.com
PBS Original Fare has on demand cooking shows. https://www.pbs.org/food/video/
Prende TV Spanish language TV live & on demand. https://app.prende.tv/canales
StreamFire has live outdoor sports on Roku and https://www.streamfire.com/watch
Fox Sports Australia on demand. https://www.foxsports.com.au/live
FTF For The Fans sports streams live & on demand. https://www.ftfnext.com/
Motor Sport TV stream live & on demand motor sports. https://motorsport.tv/
XFC FightWorld stream live fights. https://xfctv.com/pages/4/xfc-tv
Fite TV 24/7 fighting & sports. https://www.fite.tv/watch/fite-24-7/2p6mu/
Channel Fight 24/7 fighting instruction. https://www.channelfight.com/home
One can stream live sports on Yahoo Sports app on Android or iOS. NFL is free on the Yahoo Sports app, on a smartphone or tablet. It cannot be cast to a TV. The viewing experience can be enhanced with a large screen tablet and a quality headset or Bluetooth speaker,
Stream live sports on Android or iOS using the Fox Sports app.
RidePass western sports live & on demand. https://www.ridepass.com/home
Reddit live sports with sign in. https://eurowire.co/sports/654123/hd-rams-vs-dolphins-live-stream-reddit-free-nflweek-8-game-online/
Chaotic Pro Wrestling on demand. https://www.chaoticwrestling.com/videos
Ring Of Honor Pro Wrestling on demand. https://www.rohwrestling.com/watch
Impact! Pro Wrestling on demand. https://impactwrestling.com/channel-category/recently-added-applicationott/
Combat Zone Wrestling on demand. https://impactwrestling.com/channel-category/recently-added-applicationott/
Lingerie Fighting Network search LFC Network on Roku.
Home Shopping Network streams live, here. https://hsn.com/watch
QVC Shopping Network is live, here. https://www.qvc.com/content/shop-live-tv.html
JTV is a 24/7 jewelry shopping network https://www.jtv.com/show/jtv-live
True Crime Daily audio podcasts & short videos of America’s highest profile crimes. https://truecrimedaily.com
BTV has on demand news, business & investment videos. https://b-tv.com/all-videos/
Live music, news, sports, podcasts & other entertainment from all regions can be heard on the free ad supported version of
iHeart Radio online, Android & iOS. https://www.iheart.com/
Arts on demand from Canada https://www.cbc.ca/player/arts
Music on demand from Canada https://www.cbc.ca/player/music
On demand humorous music video commercials from GrubHub TV.
https://www.ispot.tv/ad/nPCd/grubhub-johnson-family-delivery-perksong-byfatboy-slim
The Pet Collective on demand pet videos. https://thepetcollective.com/pages/watch
Free2View TV Project many live small network TV channels on Roku.
TV Hub 80+ TV on Roku. https://channelstore.roku.com/details/d09461b17ada877749a74048d48d6b4e/tv-hub
Movie Hub 100+ Roku channels. https://channelstore.roku.com/search/movie+hub
Reelz has on demand audio podcasts on Android & Apple. https://www.podcastone.com/
Vintage radio shows of yesteryear: https://oldradioprograms.us/
More vintage radio shows: https://www.oldradioworld.com/
Live audio sportscasts on https://www.365sportscast.com/
Journy Travel TV. https://www.ovationtv.com/watch/journy/
30A TV has many live travel channels. http://30a-tv.com/30a/adding-live-channels/
iFlix Asian movies, TV & anime. https://www.iflix.com/
Line TV Muay Thai Fights & Thai drama. https://tv.line.me/keyword/CHOCO%20TV
Don’t forget traditional AM, FM, shortwave & weather radio. Over the air TV using an antenna is free & available in many
regions. Use AntennaWeb & TVFool to see what’s available in your area & what kind of antenna you’ll need. Cable companies
are pushing back, against cord cutters. The newer generation consists of cord nevers, who have no cable or TV & watch
everything on their smartphones & tablets. Yes, you’ll need internet service to do just about anything now days. T-Mobile’s
5G, high speed home internet will soon be available in over 90% of rural areas.
Tens of thousands of eBooks for download on Many Books for free. https://manybooks.net
Ian White
December 22, 2021 at 6:54 pm
Ric,
Robert has been writing about home theater and television for decades and he’s 100% correct. If you live anywhere rural, that antenna has limited use and the last time I checked…Disney+, HBO, Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Prime, ESPN, and AMC are not free.
I live 55 miles SW of NYC on the Shore and my OTA antenna (with no big buildings for miles…just ocean and single-family homes) is rather useless. I’ve sat on my roof and tried it in all 4 directions and the quality of free TV was pretty bad.
Ian White
Ric
December 22, 2021 at 7:18 pm
Ian, I’m a retired USMC communications electronics technician. I designed a whole house MATV master antenna television system that feeds 60+ channels of which some are over 70 miles away in a fringe reception to each of 6 TVs from my side patio throughout our house and into the garage. With an LTE filter, mast head amplifier and a distribution amplifier. Amazon Prime video is free on FAST free ad supported TV IMDB TV. Try it. AMC has a free feed, too. There are a ton of FAST apps and websites.
Ian White
December 22, 2021 at 7:48 pm
Ric,
I feel like this needs to be an article.
I don’t doubt for a second what you’re saying is true, but how many people are going to do what you did?
I’m curious about your specific location in California (Robert isn’t that far from you) and what makes it unique. I live on the Jersey Shore and my OTA antenna didn’t do much for me. I’m a few blocks from the ocean and one would think that I would get above average reception with my antenna facing NE towards NYC and Brooklyn.
I’d love to have you do an article about this.
Ian White
Ric
December 22, 2021 at 8:28 pm
Ian, feel free to use my journal and write your own article. I don’t do this for a living. I live where their are mountains and high winds, with tree tops in my signal path. We receive channels from far away in Mexico, where they broadcast out of market sports.
Here’s a guide that gives a rundown on MATV master antenna television system:
https://www.cablestogo.com/docs/training/webinars/intro-to-matv.pdf
Contact Antop antenna:
https://antopusa.com/
Contact Antennas Direct:
https://www.antennasdirect.com/
Contact Kitztech:
https://www.kitztech.com/
Contact Mr Antenna:
https://mrantenna.com/
Watch Tyler the Abtenna Man videos on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySjheRcVJ21B3Jo3HcWMTQ
Read Ryan’s articles on:
https://www.thestreamingadvisor.com/
Read this library lesson plan on cord cutting:
https://eglibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/Cord-Cutting-101-PDF.pdf
Ric
December 29, 2021 at 6:43 pm
Brian, I looked up Neptune City on https://www.antennaweb.org and it shows you can receive 73 channels with an outdoor TV antenna aimed at 14 degrees, slightly Northeast. The antenna would need to have both UHF and VHF elements.
Richard Remmele
December 23, 2021 at 1:55 pm
You can get it all next day or a few days later on any and all the broadcast channels webpages. You can get a simultaneous stream of local news with NewsOn in most areas or a local near you.
Ric
December 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm
Richard, I find most articles that are written about cord cutting are written by people that have not done it, are doing it wrong, or don’t understand how much is available for free. Your mention of NewsON is a prime example. I can watch local KUSI or KFMB both live and after the fact. The CW app allows us to watch TV shows the next day. You get it, as you’ve figured out how to cut the cord and save money and still watch what you want.
Ian White
December 23, 2021 at 7:17 pm
Ric,
That being said, Netflix, Hulu, HBOMax, ESPN, Disney+…are still not free.
I can’t watch live hockey without cable or ESPN for free in NJ.
I own 3,700 movies on DVD/BD so I don’t watch as many movies via streaming and I go to new movies 2-3x a week. During the pandemic, a lot of people decided to pay the premium to watch new films at home. Those were 100% not free.
Robert and I are going through your list to put something together in January post-CES which is going to be a lot of virtual events now.
Happy Holidays!
Ian White
Richard Remmele
December 23, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Also most Over the Air broacast channels also offer the shows episodes the next day or a few days later on their own web pages for free. I record from On Demand using PlayOn DVR with all the broadcast channels. News broadcasts can be live streamed with a free app at the time of the broadcast with, I think the name is NewsOn.
You can get a lot of non broadcast channels With Sling which includes some DVR time for, I think, $35 amonth or Spectrum Streaming only service which includes Broadcast TV and a $5 DVR for about the same price or maybe $5 more. Including one called Choice which gives you an al la carte choice of 10 channels or one called stream that gives you a lot more pre-chosen channels including broadcast.
Ric
December 22, 2021 at 9:22 pm
Smartphone app to find TV towers:
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchmap.php
Ian, for TV signal predictors:
https://www.antennaweb.org/
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchmap.php
Ian White
December 22, 2021 at 9:24 pm
Ric,
Thank you.
Will get to this for early January.
Ian White
Ric
December 24, 2021 at 10:23 pm
Ian, Merry Christmas to the eCoustics staff. I hope the CES goes well, as Covid restrictions have killed conventions. I have missed 2 NAMM shows as a result of that.
I’ve added new video sites and apps to my my live journal since I last updated it:
HeroGo TV on Roku, iOS, Fire online 24/7 https://play.herogotv.com/
MyTvToGo lots of channels online 24/7 & on Roku, Android & iOS. https://mytvtogo.net/
World Harvest retro & Christian TV online 24/7. https://familybroadcastingcorporation.com/wht/watch-live/
NEW Nike Training Club exercise videos on demand. https://www.nike.com/ntc-app
Learn a skill with Master Class on demand. https://learn.masterclass.com/masterclasslive
College courses free with video lectures online & Android & iOS. https://www.coursera.org/
Get certified as a pre-commis chef with video lessons online & Android & iOS. https://worldchefsacademy.com/
Ric
December 22, 2021 at 10:03 pm
Ian, I noticed that eCoustics reviews MonoPrice a local company but not Dayton Audio which is a similar quality in budget home audio:
https://www.daytonaudio.com/
https://www.parts-express.com/brand/Dayton-Audio
Also, I see no articles on furniture attached bass shakers:
https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-BST-1-High-Power-Pro-Tactile-Bass-Shaker-50-Watts-295-244
Ian White
December 22, 2021 at 10:34 pm
Ric,
We can only review so many things in one calendar year; and we reviewed a lot this year. We’re about to hit 1,000 articles for 2021 which is 2nd to only WhatHiFi with 3-4x the number of writers.
I think Dayton Audio is something we can do in 2022.
Best,
Ian White
Donna Ingersoll
April 30, 2022 at 5:30 am
I turned off all pay services except for Philo, which gives me a lot of “basic cable” stations and I get that for $10 a month with T-mobile. I stuck up an antenna for local programming and I have amazon prime for the shipping, but gives me the streaming service too. I hardly use it.
I mostly watch the free content on The Roku Channel. You can’t watch it all in your lifetime anyway. I don’t mind the ads. Let the advertisors overpay the studios.
I’m at that age where I fall asleep while watching TV anyway. I’m not paying every studio 5-15 bucks a month for content.
Ian White
April 30, 2022 at 10:33 pm
I agree.
I’m getting tired of the crap on Netflix and my 3,700 movies are giving me dirty looks.
Ian