With the price of cable television services surging, many homes have cancelled their television service outright. Although adjusting to life without an always-on cable connection can be a challenge, cancelling the cable doesn’t mean learning to live without television altogether. Instead, there are several easy ways to stay current with popular television shows and programming content, all without spending a small fortune to do so. From streaming content online to signing up for unlimited subscription-based services, the following alternatives present a fantastic way to keep watching TV without a traditional contract.
Network TV Online
Many of the most popular television networks offer free content online. The day after broadcast, shows are made available on the network’s website. Hulu is also a viable alternative, allowing consumers to watch content from a wide assortment of different sources. All of these shows are supported with advertising, making it free to watch the videos in question.
Video Clips
While full episodes are available on some sites, other shows may make small clips available for free. This can be viewed on sites like YouTube and Vimeo. Often times, an entire show may be available, with each segment split into a separate video file.
Subscription-based Services
While network sites allow full episodes to be watched, many of these sites only make video files available for a short period of time. This makes it essential to track down such content quickly after it airs. Furthermore, some channels do not make their content available in this manner.
Users can avoid this issue altogether by signing up for an unlimited streaming service. Netflix is the most popular such service, allowing customers to easily select from a wide assortment of films and television shows. For a low monthly fee, unlimited videos can be streamed and enjoyed. Hulu Plus is another alternative, providing more content than traditional Hulu, in addition to removing advertisements. Amazon also offers unlimited video on demand for those who sign up for an annual Prime membership.
Streaming Content to Televisions and Other Devices
One of the great benefits of finding content online is the ability to share the video files across an assortment of different platforms. Smart TVs can connect with Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu Plus, making it easy to enjoy content on the big screen. Services like Netflix also support viewing on tablet devices and smartphones, making it easy to watch shows on the go. Other supported devices include gaming consoles and Blu-ray players.
Cutting the cable is often a necessary way to keep bills low each month. Although it can be difficult to take the plunge, the wide assortment of cheaper alternatives make forgoing cable a financially sound decision. Furthermore, these alternatives mean viewers still have the opportunity to enjoy all of the same shows they love.
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Jason Anderson is a freelance technology writer who has been featured in many digital and print publications. He enjoys watching Law & Order SVU in his free time, in addition to spending time with his cat Edgar.