Hey there! Are you looking to cut the cord on expensive cable TV bills but still want access to live channels? I‘ve got some good news for you – there are a bunch of great free live TV streaming sites available in 2023.
In this guide, I‘ll share my top recommendations for safe and legal options to watch live TV for free. For each site, I‘ll overview the key features, content offerings, pros and cons, and tips for getting started. I‘ll also provide some important safety precautions to take when using free streaming platforms.
First, let‘s take a quick look at the cord-cutting revolution that‘s allowing services like these to thrive…
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The Rapid Rise of Cord-Cutting (and why free live TV now makes sense)
Pay TV subscribers have declined from a peak of 100.5 million US households in 2012 down to 77.0 million in Q2 2022, with no signs of slowing. 2022 alone has seen the largest ever second-quarter loss of ~1.5 million subscribers according to Leichtman Research Group.
People are fed up with expensive bloated cable packages full of channels they never watch. Not to mention dreadfully outdated technology like cable boxes that require manually scheduling recordings. Gross! 😝
The good news is streaming live TV over the internet provides a modern alternative. Services like YouTube TV, Hulu Live, fuboTV and Sling TV now offer cable channel lineups delivered over the internet. But they come at a price of $40-$75 per month.
This is where free options shine if you just want the basics. Let‘s look at the 7 best free live TV streaming sites available to help kick cable TV to the curb!
1. Pluto TV
Pluto TV tops our list with over 250 live channels and thousands of on-demand movies/shows available completely free.
They really provide a cable-like experience with channels from major providers like CBS, NBC, CNN, MTV, Comedy Central and more. You even get a traditional channel guide to see what‘s on now and coming up later.
In terms of content, Pluto TV offers a little bit of everything:
- News: CBS News, NBC News, CNN, Bloomberg
- Sports: NFL Channel, MLB Channel, PGA Tour Channel
- Entertainment: MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Spike
- Movies: Paramount Movie Channel, Action Movies, Horror 24/7
- Kids: Nick Jr, NickToons, Teen Nick, Anime All Day
Pluto TV works on all major devices – mobile, web, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV. You don‘t even need an account. Just start watching!
Overall, Pluto TV provides the most cable-like experience making it easy to cut the cord but still casually flip through channels.
2. The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is another excellent free option providing 200+ live channels and thousands of free on-demand movies/shows.
The live TV lineup focuses on categories like entertainment, comedy, home improvement, cooking, wildlife and more. Major providers include ABC News, Cinedigm, Reuters, FailArmy and NFL Channel.
Supported devices include Roku streaming players (of course!), mobile, and the web. You need a free Roku account to watch.
Overall, The Roku Channel is ideal for casual channel surfing style viewing without any costs. It just feels like regular TV!
3. Plex
Plex is a handy media server platform many folks already use to stream their personal media libraries.
In addition to your own media, Plex provides over 80 free live TV channels focused on categories like classic TV, sports, food, comedy, music and entertainment. Some standout channels include Tastemade, Stadium, Classic Toons TV, Power Nation and Wipeout Xtra.
If you want premium channels, Plex Pass adds over 80 more channels like HBO, Showtime and Starz for just $5/month. Quite a steal!
Plex works great on all major devices and smart TVs. You can watch the free channels using a free Plex account.
Overall, Plex is a solid option to add some live TV to your own media libraries.
4. Xumo
Xumo offers 190+ free live channels spanning categories like sports, movies, news, music, anime and more.
Their lineup includes channels like SportsGrid, Unsolved Mysteries, Deal or No Deal and Funny AF. You also get content partners like TMZ, America‘s Funniest Home Videos and Access Hollywood.
Supported platforms include Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, and some smart TVs. No account needed – just install the app and watch.
Xumo provides a simple yet robust channel lineup in key categories. It‘s a great free option for compatible streaming devices.
5. Redbox Free Live TV
Redbox Free Live TV provides 130+ live channels focused on entertainment, news, sports, kids and movies. The lineup includes channels like USA Today, TMZ, Outside TV, Unsolved Mysteries, Comedy Dynamics and more.
Supported platforms include Fire TV and mobile apps for iOS/Android. You can browse channels and view TV listings without needing an account.
Overall, Redbox focuses on mainstream entertainment genres making it a simple option for news/sports fans.
6. Samsung TV Plus
For Samsung smart TV owners, check out Samsung TV Plus providing 195+ free live channels optimized for your set.
The channel lineup spans entertainment, movies, news, sports, cooking, comedy, crime TV, art and more. Some standouts are USA Today, Bloomberg TV, Crime 360 and Nature Vision.
As a built-in TV option, you enjoy fast streaming with no buffering or account needed. You can browse and schedule shows just like regular live TV using your remote.
For Samsung owners seeking live channels, enjoy this free first-party option tailored specifically for their sets.
7. LG Channels
LG smart TV owners also get a free live TV option called LG Channels with 380+ channels covering entertainment, news, movies, sports and more. Some highlighted channels are TMZ, Unsolved Mysteries, BUZZR game shows, The Walking Dead Universe and more.
Again, as a native TV option you get superb streaming quality. Just browse channels and view TV listings using your LG remote.
LG Channels makes enjoying free live TV a breeze for LG TV owners. No additional devices needed!
Are Free Streaming Sites Safe? Precautions to Take
When using any free streaming option, there are some important precautions to take:
- Use a VPN – A VPN like NordVPN masks your identity and encrypts traffic when streaming. This prevents snooping on your viewing activities.
- Beware of ads – Free platforms rely on ads so be vigilant of malicious or intrusive ones. Use an ad blocker to stay safe.
- Don‘t download anything – Pirate streaming sites may try to trick you into downloading shady software or apps. Avoid!
- Make dummy accounts – Never reuse passwords. Create unique burner accounts for streaming services.
- Use antivirus – Keep devices protected with a robust antivirus program to detect malware.
If you take sensible precautions when streaming, you can safely enjoy all the entertainment options free live TV platforms provide!
Closing Thoughts
Hope this primer gives you some great free live TV options to start watching top channels and content without any subscription needed. Services like Pluto TV and The Roku Channel make it easy to replicate that regular cable TV experience completely free.
Just be smart when it comes to security – use a VPN, antivirus, dummy accounts and don‘t download anything fishy. Do that, and you can kick cable to the curb and still keep access to news, sports, movies and more without spending a dime!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
