I have been looking at ways to make our life simpler as well as cut expenditures we do not need. Currently we have basic Cable television, Hi-speed Internet, Unlimited Long distance/Internet phone with our local cable TV company. We don’t have any sort of contract but with bundling their services you do get a discount. If I had it my way I would keep the internet only and cut everything else with them. This set me on a mission to see what kind of options are out there so I can convince hubby that we need to trim some fat with the cable company. Mind you I love my cable company, they have great Tech support when you need it but it seems every few months the bill goes up a little bit more.
I have a Sony Blu ray disc player and will often reserve blu-ray movies from the library, check them out with my library card and watch them for FREE. In trying to save some money here and there I discovered there are FREE alternatives to streaming services that come with a cost. Keep in mind though if something is FREE that means usually there is a catch. In this case it means you will see some commercials. If you can handle that I will share with you some of the options you have available. Please add any that I may have missed.
I remember as a child my parents had an antenna on top of the television. They were also known as Rabbit ears. If you talk to a young person today and tell them about having rabbit ears on top of the TV that you adjusted for better reception, they will think you are having a senior moment. Although the old fashioned rabbit ears have long been retired some people still use antennas for watching free-to-air programs. The antennas of today are much sleeker and plug into the coaxial port on your TV. Though you may have to wait at least a day or longer to catch up with the latest episodes of cable network shows.
Network sites
I am not a big TV watcher. Although I do admit I enjoy NCIS every week so I can gaze upon Mark Harmon aka Gibbs. (such dreamy eyes). There have been instances where I have been out on Tuesday nights and missed an episode. Ugh… how will I make it thru the week? Not to worry I can get my NCIS fix from multiple locations. If you are fan of “NCIS” just watch it on CBS.com.
Missed an episode of your favorite show? My hubby is a big “Voice” fan. I was able to show him how to catch missed episodes on NBC.com. All of the major networks have streaming content on their homepages, including some you can watch live – just hit up:
Tubi TV
This is a free ad-supported television and movie platform delivered via the web and online streaming devices. It has been around since April 2014. At this time, I have not checked them out, I am sharing this with you based on a referral from a friend: http://tubitv.com/
NOTE: The Tubi TV Site is rated amber (medium risk) by WOT.
Crackle
You register then start watching. Every day their programming provides new content. It is totally free and will not cost you a cent. Lots of current and classic TV shows to watch as well: http://www.crackle.com/
You can: set up parental controls if you wish so you can monitor the types of content that is viewed – create a queue of movies and TV to watch later – set alerts to notify you when premiers will be available.
Can you add any other options to help us cut the cord on our cable bills?
Sherri, what about using the old torrent method? The TV shows are commercial FREE (no catch) and you can watch them either on your computer or save them to a flash drive and watch ’em on a bigger screen via Bluray player.
No memberships no registration, just d/l and enjoy, Mindblower!
you pretty much have discovered what I did 5 years ago, when I had to take a medical retirement –
1) My blu-ray player allows me to stream from my computer (nice) to my HD-TV.
2) An HD antenna is a must and I have several. I did pay a little bit more than most to get one that is amplified. Since we have now 15 HD channels, I don’t need cable.
3) I do make one allowance though – I subscribe to Netflix. Again, my HD-TV plays Netflix, Amazon, pretty much all of the services thru it, I don’t worry about movies.
So, welcome to the world of very little cable bill! Hopefully I can learn some more from the folks who will comment here.
-roo
All of the major networks have streaming content on their homepages, including some you can watch live – just hit up:
abc.com
cbs.com
nbc.com
fox.com
cwtv.com
These are pay sites according to the info they show?
Don’t get your point?
Are you saying they are free or what?
Are these the sites included when you are talking about in order to “cut expenditure?
Maybe you should be a little clearer !
Stay away from those “dreamy eyes” I think.
If you have an android device an app called Droid TV is a must you can download any number of current TV programmes and cast to your tv with chromecast or copy to SD card and play through your dvd plater or TV USB ports. It is not free but at around $40-$50 a year it is very cheap.
And yes NCIS is included.
Cheers
MindBlower, I have never used Torrents at all. My adult kids have but I have steered clear of them. I will have to bring myself up to speed with them.
Roo Morton, my oldest son set up Netflix which he pays for on my tv and I like it. I am not a big tv watcher but can always find something I like there. My other son has Hulu. It seems almost every 3 months there is another cost to our cable bill, it grates my raw nerve!
Colin B…dreamy eyes…yes I have been told I have dreamy blue eyes but I know what I am talking about. It appears I will have to do a sequel to this article to show step by step screen shots on how to acquire the content.
Caveman….thanks I didn’t know that, I always learn something from you folks.
For All. Those using or wishing to use torrents, I strongly suggest use get and use a VPN before hand. Some tv torrents especially those from paid cable users employ companies to track ips who d/l their product, since the program is not free. The same might be employed from tv programs from other countries. Yearly VPN ussage is cheap given what you can get.
Be safe and enjoy, Mindblower!
You make it sound like Piracy is a good thing. And now you are suggesting us to use a VPN to keep ourselves private from this kind of act.
Please, don’t talk about piracy with such brazen.
Using a VPN is not piracy.
You misread my comment.
Downloading the content is a form of Piracy, he even said it when he mentioned about torrents being tracked by the companies.
His suggestion of VPN is to remain anonymous to get away with the action.
megaman, you totally misunderstood my comments about using a VPN and d/l TV torrents. TV shows that are broadcast over the air waves, which can be received by an antenna are not banned are are completely legal. A problem can occur when someone does NOT know that difference and d/l a TV show which aired over a paid Cable channel, and then receives a legal notice stating that individual can be legally branded as a pirate over a mistake. If this offends you, then sorry, and have yourself a nice day, Mindblower!