9 Legit Ways to Get Free Cable TV
Cable TV companies charge $60 to $100 per month to users to watch shows, movies, sports, and kids’ entertainment. Luckily, you can watch cable TV content without subscribing or paying bills. Here are legit ways to get free cable TV.
1. Find an HDTV Antenna
An HDTV antenna is an electronic device that receives electromagnetic signals from TV broadcasts. It offers more superior picture and sound quality as compared to the regular antenna.
HDTV antennas can receive signals from local TV stations as well as basic cable TV channels such as;
- CBS
- NBC
- ABC
- FOX
- PBS
Because of the superior signal, you can receive over 100 channels depending on your location or the distance from the transmitter circuits or broadcasting tower.
To get started, visit Antennaweb and search the TV channels in your area. You’ll also know the type of aerial to use for superior reception.
For example, you can boost your reception by choosing directions, multi-directional, or omni-directional antennas.
2. Get Free Cable TV Apps
Another way to access free cable content legally is by downloading cable TV apps and watching content anywhere on the go.
Almost all TV cable networks such as ABC, Cooking Channel, History Channel, and PBS Kids have apps that you can use to stream your favorite TV shows, sports, or news.
Streaming Free Cable TV Online
YouTube
YouTube is a social media giant owned by Google that is home to over 26 billion videos, including sports, movies, live broadcasts, fiction, and cartoons.
It allows you to watch live TV from local television and cable networks. You can enjoy sports, movies, breaking news, and kids’ entertainment.
It’s a free service, and to get started, you need to sign up with your Gmail account.
You can watch live from your PC or download YouTube on your smart TV, streaming box, android, and iOS devices for optimal viewing.
Examples of YouTube supported devices include;
- Amazon Fire TV
- Roku players & TVs
- Apple TV
- Apple TV 4K
- Vizio SmartCast TVs
- Samsung & LG smart TVs
- LG TVs
Vudu Free Cable TV
Vudu is a streaming service and online video database owned by NBC Universal’s subsidiary Fandango Media.
You can watch full-length films and television shows for free. However, even though there’s no subscription fee, you’ll pay up to $5.99 to rent TV shows or movies and $24.99 to purchase.
Examples of featured rentals include;
- Peter Rabbit 2
- F9 The Fast Saga
- Godzilla
- Boss Baby
- Jungle Cruise
- Snake Eyes
To access free content, you need to first register on the website and filter the categories by;
- Action
- Animation
- Comedy
- Crime & Thrillers
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Romance
- Sci-Fi
Vudu provides high-definition content in 1080 pixels, and the streaming quality is high.
Unlike other platforms such as YouTube, Vudu doesn’t have live sports streaming.
Another unique feature is Movie Download that lets you download your movies to your device for offline viewing. Also, you can add Vudu to Roku Player for free.
Vudu app is available in Google Play and the play store, and therefore you can watch, buy, rent, and stream anywhere for free.
Tubi
Tubi is an American-based platform under the ownership of Fox Corporation. It offers free online and video streaming from a database of more than 20,000 movies as well as television series.
You can watch free cable TV content by registering with your email. Also, you can download the app to access the shows on your devices.
You can get started by browsing through the categories, including;
- Action
- Anime
- Classics
- Comedy
- Crime TV
- Reality-TV
- TV dramas
There is also a collection of Telenovelas, Stand Up Comedy, Romance, Music, concerts, and family content.
Pluto
Pluto TV is a free online-based service owned by ViacomCBS. The platform lets you stream TV content from anywhere, including Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, iPhone, Samsung, Hisense, and Sony.
You can catch up with the following channels on Pluto TV;
- Star Trek
- Degrassi
- CBS News
- Hell’s KItchen
- Survivor
- CSI
- Classic Doctor Who
- Stories by AMC
You don’t need to register with your email or credit card information to watch over 250 channels and 1000 plus movies. Simply visit the website using your PC, Mac or download the Pluto TV app on your android or iOS device.
Popcornflix
Popcornflix is a digital website that supports video streaming, webisodes as well as movies. It is 100% legal and doesn’t require any subscription to access the content. You only need to visit the website and start streaming.
You can access Popcornflis on platforms including;
- Apple TV
- Xbox
- Amazon Fire TV
- Xbox One
- iPad
- Chromecast
- iPod Touch
- Xbox 360
- Xbox Series X/S
- iPhone
- iPod Touch
- Rock
Other than full-length movies, you can also find original content like film school originals and web series.
It’s also home to episodes such as 21 Jump Street, Spides, Dark Knight, and reality TV shows like Bear Grylls Survival School. Food Booze & Tattoos and Coast Guard Florida.
Movies include; Action, Comedy, Crime, Documentaries, Drama, Horror, and Sci-Fi. You can also catch the latest from the sports world.
You can download the Popcornflix app from Google Play and the App Store to watch anywhere.
Justwatch
Just Watch is a free service that recommends TV programs and shows for viewers. It’s available globally, and when you visit the website, you’ll find a list of countries where you can watch JustWatch content.
After clicking on the website, you’ll be directed to another page with a streaming guide of TV shows and movies from other platforms such as Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu.
You can watch the trailers for shows or movies, but you may need to subscribe to respective channels and pay up to $10 per month for full viewing.
CrackleTV
Crack-app is a cost-free platform where you can stream videos and TV content, including Barney Miller, Bewitched, and Snatch series.
It works on most devices including, and you can download it on your;
- Android phone
- Smart TV
- iOS phone
- Streaming box
Share TV
Share TV is a web-based community where fans can meet, watch shows or movies and interact. It also partners with other TV networks such as Hulu, SHOWTIME, ABC, Syfy, NBC, and Fox.
The platform hosts sections such as TV Shows, Schedules, Community, Movies, and Celebrities.
You can catch up with classic programs including;
- Action
- Drama
- Anime
- Cartoons
- Comedy
- Classic
- Food
- Crime
- Legal
- Relationship
Some of the popular programs on the platform include; Days of our lives, Cold Case Files, EastEnders, WWE Raw, Batman, and Personal Space.
No sign-up is needed, and you can start viewing instantly. However, you can enjoy other privileges when you create a profile and become a member of the community. You’ll have access to;
- Full episodes,
- Character guides,
- Trivia and guides to subsequent efforts.
Local and National TV Networks
Local and National TV Networks can allow you to stream full-length movies or episodes on their websites or apps without paying a monthly subscription or using a provider’s log-in.
Examples include HGTV, Food Network, CBS, ABC, Fox, NBC, History Channel, and The CW.
Even though free content availability may depend on the network.
Examples of Local & Network TV Networks in the US
| TV network | Owner |
|---|---|
| NBC | NBCUniversal |
| CBS | ViacomCBS |
| ABC | Walt Disney Television |
| FOX | Fox Corporation |
| PBS | Corporation for Public Broadcasting |
| Ion | Ion Media |
| HSN | Qurate Retail Group |
| Retro TV | Reach High Media Group |
| The Action Channel | Reach High Media Group |
| Shop LC | Vaibhav Global |
| WHT | Family Broadcasting Corporation |
Free Trials on Paid Streaming Services
Quite often, TV companies require users to sign up and pay for streaming services. However, some TV stations allow users to stream for free through free trials. Examples include; Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Apple TV+, and Philo.
1. Hulu
Hulu has a comprehensive catalog of shows and the latest movies. Currently, you can get a free 30-day trial to stream their services and then pay $1.99 to $13.99 depending on the package.
2. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is a platform that allows you to stream TV shows and movies live and online. New episodes are being added every day, including Mrs Maisel, Homecoming, The Boys, and The Marvelous.
You can sign up for a free 30-day trial and subsequently upgrade your membership for up to $12.99 per month.
3. Netflix
Netflix is an American streaming giant with over 15,000 titles for movies, documentaries, anime, and award-winning shows.
You can stream shows by signing up for the free 30-day trial and then pay up to $14.5 per month.
4. Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is an ad-free streaming service and home to original content, compelling dramas, award-winning series, kids’ entertainment, and documentaries.
The company offers a three-month Apple TV+ free trial when you purchase an Apple device. In addition, there is a seven-day trial for other users, and subsequent payments cost $4.99 per month.
5. Philo
Philo is an internet TV company that offers streaming services with networks such as BET TV, AMC, Nickelodeon, and A&E.
You can sign up for a seven-day free trial and pay up to $25 per month.
