Filed under: Fun, Internet, Video, Features
Watch TV like a pirate, a law abiding priate
As Internet connections get faster, computer monitors become larger and HTPC integration become more widespread, watching TV shows online has become downright ubiquitous. In the dark ages, like three years ago, the only place you could get truly high-quality copies of TV episodes was to either buy the DVD or to BitTorrent the episode, you know, if one of the big TV groups happens to follow that particular show.
I love tvRSS as much as the next pirate, in the last 18 months, something pretty awesome has happened in regards to commercial television: free web streams. And the quality continues to get better, with each of the major networks offering some kind of HD-experience (iTunes HD tends to be better, but of course, you pay for that privilege).
So here is a list of all the places you can watch current and classic TV shows for free, online. Many of these sites have regional restrictions, based on country. Not to fear, in my next article, I'll discuss how you can access any of these sites (or any region-locked) site, regardless of your physical location.
Networks
These are the official sites for US-based networks. Canadians and Brits can view some of these shows at their respective CTV, BBC and ITV websites, though streaming ability may be limited.
- ABC - ABC.com has a small library of current and classic shows, some available for HD-streaming. So you can "get your 'Lost' on" by catching up on all four seasons, or revel in the magic that was "My So-Called Life." ABC's HD player pretty much set the standard for streaming network players, though the others have caught up over the years.
- CBS - After attempting to sell TV shows through On-Demand (they now give away certain shows for free, depending on your cable provider) and a failed-deal to sell shows with Google Video (before Google bought YouTube, a company Viacom is now suing), CBS now offers current and classic shows via its website. If the thought of watching "Two and a Half Men" makes you want to slit your wrists (as it does me), you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the true TV classics, "Melrose Place," the original "90210" and of course, "Twin Peaks" are all available at CBS.com
- NBC - NBC.com offers a range of past and current programs to view in full, sometimes in HD, on its site. The big benefit, for Windows users, is that you can download some of those programs for free to watch offline in HD-quality. Sadly, because this process uses Direct-X, you'll need to run a virtual machine or Boot Camp if you are on an Intel Mac, or dual-boot or run a VM that supports enhanced video in Linux.
- FOX - FOX.com offers up most of its scripted shows online. For reality hits like "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" - viewers are SOL. Almost everything on FOX.com, plus a back-catalog of 20th Century Television classics are available on Hulu
- CW - The little bastard network that probably never should have existed is now entering its second prime time season. It does have rocking initials. Almost all of the networks shows (as best I can tell, I'm not an avid CW viewer) are available to stream, though the quality is, meh. You can watch the new "90210" and see how the new Brenda Walsh stacks up to the original available on CBS. If you want to catch up on guilty-pleasures like "Gossip Girl" or the awful/awesomeness that is "America's Next Top Model" you can do so here. Of course, if you want to relive the moment when Tyra went off on Tiffani of "that b*tch poured beer on my weave" fame, you'll have to go here.
- BBC iPlayer - For UK residents (or people who "appear" to be from the UK), the BBC iPlayer offers up access to the last 7 days of TV and radio content.
Catalogs and Portals
These sites offer up new and old content. Some of the sites reuse content from other places (legally), though I will note that if a site is using content from Hulu, the quality will almost always be better if you go directly to Hulu instead.
- Hulu - Hulu is what other TV sites aspire to be. A big hit, the collaboration between NBC and FOX has not only current shows from both networks, but a vast back-catalog of shows from NBC Universal, 20th Century Television, and an ever-expanding list of new partners. Hulu offers HD-streaming (1280 x 720) of some of its content, and full-length movies to boot.
- Fancast - Comcast's Fancast is actually surprisingly awesome, especially considering it comes from a company that has a less-than-stellar record regarding the download of digital content of its network. Comprised of shows from the major networks, CBS's catalog of classics and Hulu, Fancast also offers up programming from subscription-only networks like Showtime ("Dexter" anyone?) and shows when a show will be airing on regular TV or On-Demand, if you are a Comcast customer. Fancast also recently started selling movies, a la Amazon Unbox.
- AOL TV - Weblogs, Inc.'s parent company, AOL, has a portal that offers easy access to TV shows available on other network sites and Hulu in one place.
- MSN TV - Microsoft offers a portal very similar to that of AOL. Access to lots of shows in one place.
Specialty
Some networks or shows have their own pages for full episodes that don't fall into the categories above.
- Super Deluxe - Featuring original series and truly hilarious, Super Deluxe is a great destination if you want to laugh.
- [adult swim] - Various episodes of Cartoon Network's late-night, cooler brother are available at adultswim.com.
- South Park Studios - You can watch the entire series, for free, at this official site.