Watch TV Shows for Free Online – The 10 Best Sites

In this era of streaming, you can watch whatever you want, whenever you want – with a small caveat. Most major streaming services require a subscription, and you may not want to pay a monthly fee to multiple platforms to watch all your favorite shows.

The good news is that you don’t have to don an eyepatch and a bandana to find quality shows to watch. We’ve compiled a list of 10 sites where you can watch TV series for free, legally, with no strings attached. Where you want to stream new dramas or watch reruns of 80s classics, there’s a platform for you. Read on to discover new ways to watch TV shows for free and why streaming is better with CyberGhost VPN. 

Quick Guide: How to Stream TV Shows with CyberGhost VPN

Many free streaming sites are only available in certain countries, but with CyberGhost VPN, you can continue to watch TV shows for free online, even when traveling abroad.

  1. Sign up for CyberGhost VPN. It’s quick and easy!
  2. Connect to a server in your home country.
  3. Tune in to all your favorite streaming platforms from anywhere.

The 10 Best Sites to Watch TV Shows For Free

1. BBC iPlayer

A screenshot of BBC iPlayer's top picks and trending content
BBC iPlayer has both quality and quantity

BBC iPlayer offers live TV channels and on-demand programs completely free of charge. It’s one of the best sites to watch free TV shows, with dramas such as Peaky Blinders, Pretty Little Liars, and Doctor Who, and entertainment and reality shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, The Traitors, and Top Gear. You can watch TV series for free in HD and download shows to watch offline.

You need to sign up for a free account and confirm you have a UK TV Licence to stream programs. Although you’ll have to sit through the odd trailer before your show starts, one of the best things about BBC iPlayer is that there are no ads.

Pros and Cons
👍 No ads👎 UK only
👍 Quality title selection, including new shows👎 UK TV Licence required to watch
👍 Tons of genre variety, including CBeebies for the kids
👍 Live news and sports
👍 Can download shows to watch offline

2. Tubi

A screenshot of Tubi's Tv homepage
Tubi has a bit of everything

If you’ve searched for where to watch TV shows for free, you’ve likely come across Tubi. It’s one of the biggest free streaming sites, with over 250,000 movies and TV episodes in its US catalog. You can watch shows like Gossip Girl, Hell’s Kitchen, and Spartacus. It also has a decent selection of anime shows and content for kids.

Tubi is 100% free (there are no paid tiers to upgrade to) but like most free streaming platforms, there are ads. You have the option to create a free account to unlock additional features including the ability to create watchlists and set parental controls. You can access Tubi from the US, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Australia, and the UK, however, the TV shows available vary by country.

Pros and Cons
👍 Optional sign up👎 No ad-free version
👍 250,000+ moves and TV shows (in the US)👎 Ads are unpredictable and disruptive
👍  Streaming channels included 👎 Sign-up required to unlock helpful features
👍  Large variety of genres
👍  Content for all ages

3. Pluto TV

A screenshot of Pluto TV's homepage
Pluto TV is an example of quantity and quality

Pluto TV feels more like a cable network than a streaming platform due to its focus on “live” channels showing scheduled content. These are packed with programs spanning every genre imaginable, from true crime and reality TV to 80s action shows. You can also choose from a selection of on-demand shows and movies. It’s a great option if you’re a fan of niche genres or if you want to binge-watch your favorite shows.

Pluto TV is available in 30 countries, including the USA, Canada, the UK, and most of Latin America. It’s also available in Australia via 10 Play. You don’t need an account to stream, but signing up gives you access to personalization options. 

Pros and Cons
👍 Huge content library👎 Disruptive ads, including banners
👍 Varied genre selection including reality TV and game shows👎 No upgrade option to skip ads
👍 Available in various countries
👍  250+ channels to choose from
👍 No sign-up required

4. CBC Gem

Screenshot of CBC Gem showing popular shows.
CBC Gem offers a range of original shows and popular series.

CBC Gem broadcasts original Canadian content and full seasons of popular TV series. Watch acclaimed dramas like Saint-Pierre and Heartland, comedy series including Son of a Critch and North of North, reality TV shows, and documentaries. There are lots of options for kids too, with shows like Paw Patrol, Dino Ranch, and The Next Step.

CBC uses ads to fund its services, but you can pay to stream on-demand shows ad-free. You don’t need an account to watch kids programs and these are completely ad-free. To watch most other shows and access live TV channels, you need to sign up for a free account. CBC Gem is only available to Canadian residents.

Pros and Cons
👍Good variety of quality shows👎 Only available to Canadian residents
👍 CBC original shows👎Sign up required to watch most shows
👍 Ad-free programming for kids
👍 Option to upgrade for ad-free viewing
👍 Live TV channels, including CBC News Explore, CBC Comedy, and local channels

5. Channel 4

a screen shot of what's new and popular on Channel 4
Channel 4 is a free service with premium shows

Channel 4 is another free streaming service that’s only available in the UK. Its library of 1500 titles isn’t as large as other platforms, but it includes many complete series and access to new shows shortly after they air. There’s plenty of variety, with popular titles, including The Great British Bake Off, Hollyoaks, Taskmaster, Gogglebox, and The Big Bang Theory. 

You must create an account to watch shows, and you’ll have to sit through the same ad breaks as you’d get on TV. If you like, you can upgrade to Channel 4+ to stream ad-free.

Pros and Cons
👍Viewers can upgrade to remove ads👎 Only available in the UK
👍 New shows available as they air👎 Ads are disruptive
👍 Great for watching British TV and popular shows👎 Library isn’t as large as other services
👍 Stream live or on-demand

6. Plex

a screenshot of Plex's homepage
Plex can be whatever you want it to be

At its core, Plex is a media center that you can customize into your own personal streaming service and entertainment hub. It also has a free streaming service, offering shows, documentaries, and movies. The streaming service includes 600+ preprogrammed channels, so you’ll never be short of something to watch.

Plex offers various programs, including sports, news, children’s content, and Spanish TV. You have to sign up for an account, and if you’re opting for Plex Media Server, some technical knowledge is necessary for setup. Plex is free to use in most countries, but a Plex Pass subscription is needed to unlock mobile apps and access additional features.

Pros and Cons
👍On demand and live channels👎 Ad supported on free tier
👍 Can be used as a personalized and centralized entertainment hub👎 Subscription or in-app purchase required to stream on-demand shows on mobile devices
👍 Tons of variety, including sports, news, and Spanish content👎 Sign up and set up required
👍 Available in most countries (content varies by region)

7. Sling Freestream

A screenshot of Sling TV's free programming library
Why pay for cable when Sling is right there?

Brought to you by Sling, Freestream offers 500+ channels to tune into, and 40,000+ on-demand movies and shows. You don’t have to sign up for an account, but if you do, you get access to 10 hours of cloud DVR storage, which means you can record your favorite shows to watch later. You can also create different profiles and watchlists and add parental controls.

Sling Freestream offers a bit of everything, including kids’ content, game shows, reality TV, black entertainment, classic shows, and lots more. 

Pros and Cons
👍 Huge content library👎 Only available in the US and Puerto Rico
👍 Live channels and on demand content👎 Ad-supported, and viewers are prompted to upgrade frequently
👍 Free 10 hours DVR👎 Some titles or collections are incomplete
👍 No sign up necessary

8. Kanopy

a screenshot of Kanopy's new, acclaimed, and classic titles.
Kanopy is a great choice, be it for education and entertainment purposes.

You might associate free streaming with ads, but Kanopy breaks the mold. It’s a library of curated content that you access via your library. There are no ads, no upsells, and it’s completely free. All you need is a card or email from a participating library or university. Unfortunately, this makes it a bit of a lottery as to whether you can access the service, as most libraries require you to live in the local area.

Kanopy emphasizes educational content and classic entertainment. You won’t find the latest reality TV shows here, but there are plenty of literary adaptations and docuseries, as well as hits like The Office (UK), Father Brown, Luther, and Roots. It also offers a ton of children’s content, including storybook read-alongs.

Pros and Cons
👍No ads👎 Library or university membership required for sign up
👍 Critically acclaimed TV series and educational titles👎 Less content than other platforms
👍 Variety of kid’s content, including read-along shows
👍 Available in many countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.

9. Fandango at Home

A screenshot of Fandango at Home's Free | Popular TV library
A rose by any other name…

Formerly known as Vudu, Fandango at Home is a popular streaming service offering free and pay-to-view movies and TV shows. It has thousands of free, ad-supported titles, but the vast majority of these are movies. However, there are plenty of classic TV shows from previous decades available for free. For example, if you want to watch 80s TV shows online for free, there’s a selection of US and UK comedy series, including ALF, Red Dwarf, and Blackadder

Fandango at Home is only available in the US. You need to sign up for an account to stream, but you only have to enter payment information if you want to buy or rent a show.

Pros and Cons
👍 Hundreds of free TV shows👎 Limited selection of TV shows
👍  Huge selection of pay-as-you-go ad-free titles👎 Disruptive ads
👍  Stream select titles in HD👎 Only available in the US

10. 9Now

A screenshot of 9Now showing the categories of programs available
9Now is a great streaming service for Australian fans of British television

9Now is a free, ad-supported streaming service with live TV, pre-programmed “live” channels, and on-demand content across a range of genres. The focus is more on old favorites than new, original content, but there’s a decent selection of shows, and new programs are added each year. Six pre-programmed BBC TV channels let you binge-watch shows like Top Gear, Antiques Roadshow, and Natural World, as well as a range of classic British comedy and food programs.

You have to sign up for an account to stream and there’s no option to skip the ad breaks, which feel frustratingly frequent. 9Now is only available to Australian residents.

Pros and Cons
👍 Good selection of popular shows👎 Only available in Australia
👍  Tons of BBC content👎 Intrusive ads
👍  Live channels include news and sport👎 Glitchy app

Why You Need a VPN for Streaming

You might run into a few obstacles when searching for the best free sites to watch TV shows. Most streaming platforms are only available in certain countries. Even if a site is widely available, you may not be able to watch the same TV shows everywhere. A VPN helps you access your streaming accounts when traveling abroad – just connect to a VPN server in your home country and pick up your favorite show from where you left off. 

Many offices and schools block streaming services on their networks, preventing you from watching TV on your lunch break or between classes. Your ISP may also put a damper on your binge-watching at home if it throttles your connection when you access online TV sites. A VPN lets you stream effortlessly, without interference. VPN encryption hides your online activity from third parties like your ISP and network administrators, meaning you can bypass network blocks and avoid slowdowns due to activity-based throttling.

You should also connect to a VPN if you like to stream on public Wi-Fi. Unsecured networks offer an open door to cybercriminals, but a VPN secures your connection, slamming that door shut to keep your personal data safe.

Why CyberGhost Is the Best VPN for Streaming

CyberGhost VPN has servers in 100 countries, so you can get an IP address wherever you need one. We have streaming-optimized servers for popular platforms, including BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, and Channel 4. The IP addresses on these servers are checked regularly to make sure you can access your streaming service smoothly. 

Our fast VPN servers let you stream in the highest available quality, whether that’s HD or 4K. We use 10-Gbps servers in key locations, so you won’t suffer slowdowns due to server crowding. Watch every season of your favorite show with unlimited VPN bandwidth. 

You can download the CyberGhost VPN app on all your streaming devices, including tablets, smartphones, laptops, and Android TV. Connect up to 7 devices simultaneously to make it easy to switch between streaming at home and on the go.

CyberGhost VPN is easy to use, but if you want to speak to a real human about your setup, contact our 24/7 customer support team. Try CyberGhost VPN risk-free today with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

FAQ

Where can I watch free TV shows online?

Tubi, BBC iPlayer, and Pluto TV are three of the best sites to watch free TV series online. They each have large libraries of quality TV shows. BBC iPlayer doesn’t have ads and you can download shows to watch offline, but it’s only available in the UK. Tubi and Pluto TV are more widely available, but the shows you can watch may vary depending on which country you live in.

What is the best free streaming site?

Tubi is the best website to watch free TV shows based on the amount of content available. You can watch 250,000 movies and TV episodes without needing an account. BBC iPlayer is one of the best free streaming sites in terms of user experience. There are no ads, you can watch new TV shows as they’re released, and you can download shows to watch offline.

How can I watch shows live for free?

Public broadcasting services often have online platforms where you can stream live TV for free in the countries they serve. For example, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and ITV in the UK, 10 Play and 9Now in Australia, CBC in Canada, and France TV in France. If you’re traveling abroad, connect to a CyberGhost VPN server in your home country to keep watching shows live while you’re away.

What is the best site to download TV series for free?

You can download TV shows on BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 to watch offline. Certain shows may not be available to download, depending on licensing restrictions. These services are only available to UK residents – if you’re traveling abroad, connect to one of CyberGhost VPN’s streaming-optimized servers in the UK to continue watching your favorite shows live.

Are streaming sites illegal?

There are many free and paid streaming sites that operate legally and have licensing agreements with publishers and studios. All the free streaming services in our list can be used lawfully as long as you follow the platform’s terms and conditions. If you’re concerned about the legality of a streaming site, check before you watch as streaming pirated content is illegal.

Which VPN is best for streaming?

CyberGhost VPN has servers in 100 countries, including streaming-optimized servers for all major platforms. Our team checks these servers regularly to make sure they work with the streaming sites in question. CyberGhost offers top VPN speeds and unlimited bandwidth, so you can enjoy high-quality streaming. Try it risk-free with a 45-day money back guarantee.

Can I use a VPN to unblock a streaming service from a different country?

Some streaming fans may connect to a VPN server in the country where a certain streaming service is available in order to watch from a different country. While we don’t snoop on our users’ online activity, this is against our terms of service and is not acceptable.

Rest assured that CyberGhost VPN never logs your browsing data and your activity is always private, but you should always comply with all relevant terms and applicable law, including copyright.

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