We all know that there are plenty of apps to watch TV shows and movies. But what about live TV? Some viewers prefer the classic live TV experience but don't want to pay for cable.
We'll help you find the best online TV services on the web. Every channel on the list has a legal source and is free to use. Plus, they also don't require you to sign in with a TV provider.
1. ABC
ABC is a popular broadcasting company based in the United States. ABC is home to shows like The Bachelorette and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
The official ABC website offers free live TV channels that are ad-supported, not much different from classic TV. This live stream is free to people in the United States. The ABC website also offers a variety of unlocked shows that you can watch free on-demand.
You also don't need an account to stream from your computer or mobile device; you can start watching right on the website.
2. BBC Channels
The BBC makes all of its TV license-funded TV channels available for free via the iPlayer service. You can watch BBC 1, BBC 2, BBC 4, BBC News, BBC Parliament, BBC Alba, CBBC, and CBeebies.
Unfortunately, other BBC Studios channels not funded by the license fee (Alibi, Dave, Drama, Eden, Gold, W, and Yesterday) are unavailable. The BBC's international channels, such as BBC America and BBC Persian, are also unavailable.
If you don't live in the UK, you'll need to use a VPN to watch these channels. We recommend ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.
3. CNN
Many people wrongly assume that it's impossible to watch CNN for free. After all, it's part of most cable providers' premium packages. Even the CNN website only allows you to stream for 10 minutes before asking you to log in with a provider.
But it is possible. Pluto TV provides the answer. As long as you're in the US, you can stream the domestic version of the TV channel for free. Non-US residents can try one of the fastest VPN services.
4. NFL Channel
If you are an NFL fan, make sure you check out the NFL Channel on Pluto TV.
The channel does not show live games (you'll normally need a subscription to the NFL Network or a cable TV package for that, though there are some ways to watch the NFL without cable), but it does still offer plenty of quality content from both NFL Films and NFL Media.
For example, you can watch the award-winning Hard Knocks series, dozens of team and season recaps, and replays of classic matches.
In our opinion, it is one of the best ways to enjoy NFL content for free.
5. PBS Kids
If you live in the USA, you can watch PBS Kids for free online. PBS Kids offers plenty of content for children of all ages, meaning it's a useful channel to keep handy if you have little ones. There are also limited ads, and they are all friendly for children, usually just talking about other shows on the PBS Kids website.
Due to broadcasting licenses, you won't be able to watch this outside the US without a VPN. International users can still access games and other content without a VPN, however.
6. Channel 4
Channel 4 is another popular UK network. It was the original home of Black Mirror, The Inbetweeners, Peep Show, The IT Crowd, Da Ali G Show, and many other series that have become famous in the US.
You can stream Channel 4—along with its subsidiary channels such as E4, More4, and Film4—directly on the website. You need to live in the UK to access them, but VPN logins are allowed for people elsewhere.
7. Nick Jr.
Nick Jr. features some of the most popular kids' programs like Dora the Explorer, Peppa Pig, and Bubble Guppies. Luckily, with the Nick Jr. website, you can watch these programs for free if you're in the US.
The website also works on tablets, and there's even an app available.
If you're not in the US, Nick Jr. on Pluto TV broadcasts to viewers in the UK, Germany, and Austria. The commercials on Pluto TV are also appropriate for the channel content.
8. Bloomberg Television
Bloomberg is one of the leading sources of business and market news. With Bloomberg, you can get up-to-date information about the current market.
It produces four international TV channels, which you can stream for free. These are Bloomberg US, Bloomberg Europe, Bloomberg Asia, and Bloomberg Australia.
All four TV channels are online. You can stream them for free via Bloomberg's website. The US version is also available on Pluto TV.
9. Sky News
The UK-based Sky News is one of the best free internet TV channels for news junkies. You can watch it for free on the Sky News website and via the Sky News YouTube channel. You don't need a cable package to tune in, and you can watch the YouTube feed from anywhere in the world.
Sky News does not impose any geographical restrictions. You can watch the TV channel online, no matter where in the world you are. However, the news here is mostly relevant to the UK.
10. FOX Sports
FOX Sports is a unique internet TV channel that you can watch online for free.
However, it is not the same version of the TV channel that you'd receive via a cable subscription or from an app like Hulu or FuboTV. Although the majority of the schedule is the same as FOX Sports 1, it does not feature any live sports.
You can, however, still enjoy highlights reels, sports commentary and analysis shows, and other regular programming. This is great for catching up on games you've missed or knowing what happened when you don't have the time to watch full games.
Fox Sports is also available on the free streaming app Tubi, which also features loads of other free shows and movies.
11. France 24
If you like to watch free online TV channels from around the world online, France 24 is worth checking out. It's a state-owned French national broadcaster focusing on news and magazine content.
Four versions of the channel are produced: the French edition, along with English, Arabic, and Spanish broadcasts.
You can watch the international TV channels (as well as the French broadcast) for free on the website and the France 24 YouTube channel.
12. ITV Channels
ITV is another British network. Unlike the BBC, ITV is independently owned. The network makes six of its channels available for free online to anyone with a UK-based IP address. They are ITV 1, ITV 2, ITV 3, ITV 4, CITV, and ITVBe. ITV Box Office and The Store are not available.
The free online channels offer the usual mix of news, drama, talk shows, and children's programming.
Where the network excels for international cord-cutters, however, is its list of sports content. The network holds the rights to La Liga, the UEFA European Championship, the FIFA World Cup, the Rugby World Cup, the Six Nations, the French Open, the Tour de France, and the Cheltenham Festival.
13. Fubo Sports Network
Fubo Sports Network launched in June 2019. Originally only available via the Fubo app, it is now available on more than 75 million devices after Plex, Pluto, and The Roku Channel all started offering the channel for free.
You will also find the channel built into some smart TVs, including models from Samsung and Vizio.
The network offers live sports, panel shows, analysis, and more. If you're a sports fan, you might also be interested to know you can watch football for free online with FIFA+.
14. CBC News
CBC is the largest broadcaster in Canada. Its news channel, CBC News, is one of the most widely watched networks in the country.
Cable subscribers in the US and UK will probably be able to find the channel in their program guide. However, you don't need an expensive TV package to be able to tune in.
CBC News is aired for free on the CBC site. If you don't live in Canada, you will need to use a VPN to spoof your location.
Free Live TV With No Provider
Many cord-cutters have been growing frustrated that they still need to pay for cable to sign in to free TV streams online. Luckily, these free live TV websites can keep you up-to-date without having to continue to pay for cable to watch online.
After all, cable is expensive, and it's almost unnecessary nowadays with the availability of streaming online. With these websites, you won't need to pay the cable company anymore.
