Since the advent of the internet, having a TV or cable subscription has been optional for enjoying television programs. In 2021, anyone can access a plethora of website to watch TV shows.
The problem is that not all of them are legitimate. Some websites may try to fool you into joining up for a paid service, while others will try to install dangerous browser extensions. For this reason, I have produced a list of the best places to watch TV shows online without breaking the law.
Best website to watch TV shows For 2021
Tubi
Visitors to the site can view TV shows without having to sign up first. Tubi lets you create a “watch list” of your preferred shows and continue watching them on any of your devices at any time. It has a clean UI with different tabs for different types of television shows.
However, the movies and the TV shows on Tubi are well worth checking out, even though the former are more numerous. With high-quality streaming, you can watch on any of your devices anytime.
Why use Tubi
- Free shows are available in abundance.
- All apps are free on both iOS and Android.
- Friendlier than an average user interface
Popcornflix
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When legally watching TV series online without breaking the law, Popcornflix is another option for 2021. One of the best parts is that there’s no need to sign up to watch TV online. Remember to turn off the ad blocker, as it may prevent further streaming from happening.
On Popcornflix, you may watch various television shows from various genres like action, comedy, drama, horror, science fiction, etc. The best part is that you can watch them on various screens.
Those born in the 1990s who want to relive their childhood could play classics such as Super Mario 3: The Adventures of Super Mario Bros., Sonic the Hedgehog, and The Legend of Zelda. A special “Staff Picks” section features the most popular shows and movies and is required viewing for all customers.
Why use Popcornflix
- The site’s layout and design are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
- See movies and TV shows without creating an account.
- Free apps are available for both Android and iOS.
Crackle
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Crackle, a video entertainment website for watching TV shows, provides its customers with access to free episodes of television shows. Since Sony owns this site, you know it’s legit. Seinfeld, Firefly, The Shield, and even anime series are some of the many well-known shows. The information is structured and indexable for easy research.
Crackle allows users to watch as many TV episodes as they want, and they may do it for free using their mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices. Also, you may watch episodes on many gadgets, like smart TVs and Android TV. Even though the videos are monetized in various ways, watching them is not illegal.
It’s important to know that you may access Crackle in the United States, Canada, Australia, and 18 countries in Latin America. Therefore, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is required to access this website outside these regions.
Why use Crackle
- This website provides access to about 150 feature-length films and between 40 and 50 television series.
- Cast your videos to multiple screens at once.
- You can download apps for several platforms for nothing.
Hotstar
Hotstar is well-known in India for its low prices on Cricket streaming and HBO series. But for those who like Hindi programming, the service offers free Indian TV channels like Star Plus, Like OK, and Star Bharat. In addition, you can receive local television stations.
Free TV series like Malgudi Days, Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai, Hotstar Exclusives, and Masterchef are just some of the channels and shows available on this website to watch TV shows. As was previously said, a premium subscription is available for an extra Rs. 999 per year if you like to stream more content.
Why use Hotstar
- Countless Hindi language shows are available without charge.
- The premium is relatively cheap.
Retrovision
In 2021, Retrovision will be the finest place to watch free episodes of vintage TV shows online. The best part is that they also have a great archive of classic movies if you’re like that sort of thing. Television shows can be legally downloaded or streamed for free because the content posted on this platform is considered public domain.
The website’s layout is straightforward, with all the shows listed on a single page. Retrovision broadcasts various classic TV shows from the 1950s and 1960s, including anything from Sherlock Holmes to Star Trek. It has a fantastic assortment of vintage kids’ cartoons like Popeye and Superman.
Why use Retrovision
- For free online viewing of classic TV shows.
- Clear navigation and well-defined tabs.
- There is no sign-up procedure and no cost for the Android app.
Internet Archive
To view archived versions of websites and track their development through time, many people turn to the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. Surprisingly, it also has a large archive of previously aired television shows, government documents, documentaries, event footage, and other related materials. Even if the layout of this free TV site doesn’t quite wow you, there are plenty of options for narrowing down your search, such as by year, topic, creator, and language.
Why use Internet Archive
- Public domain and completely without cost.
- Countless works of literary renown.
Yidio
Yidio is a search engine that compiles links to free TV streaming sites so that you may find where a specific show is being shown online. It is also common knowledge that many hosts need payment. When the year 2021 rolls around, you can visit a dedicated page to watch free episodes of certain TV shows online.
It includes episodes from several popular shows like Rick and Morty, Grey’s Anatomy, Two and a Half Men, The Flash, and Gotham. Nonetheless, Yidio is lower on this list for the following reasons: Even if you find an episode listed for free, there’s no guarantee that it’s in its whole, and some listings may only have clips.
Why use Yidio
- There are high-quality video options to choose from.
- It shows a lot of comedy, including many big ones.
CW TV
You may watch a few episodes of The Flash and Arrow for free on The CW’s official website to watch TV shows. On this site, you may watch superhero movies such as Arrow and The Flash. Both The Originals and Supernatural are excellent choices for fans of supernatural drama.
Unfortunately, access to this website’s content is limited, and many TV series are removed after a long time has passed. While the streaming time may not be as fast as other sites, the overall video quality is excellent.
Why use CW TV
- Specifically, content from the CW TV network.
- It is not essential to subscribe or sign up for anything.
CW Seed
You should check out CW TV’s CW Seed subsidiary right away. Though it may sound shady, I can assure you that this website to watch TV shows is legit and that you may watch any of the TV shows featured on the site for free whenever you choose.
The disturbing part is that there is no CW material on the CW Seed website. Many popular DC animated series and original Web series are shown instead.
Why use CW Seed
- To watch the DC animated series.
- No sign-up or subscription is required.
Pluto TV
Like a traditional TV, Pluto TV allows you to browse channels to find shows that pique your interest. This online TV streaming service is completely free and offers a wide variety of channels with popular shows, including daytime dramas, sports, and news. Use this index to browse several listings at once quickly.
Channels like Science TV and NASA TV cater to those with an insatiable curiosity for the natural world and the universe beyond. The content is accessible on multiple platforms (mobile devices, computers, and smart TVs); however, only the most recent episodes are shown.
Why use Pluto TV
- The widest variety of channels imaginable, suitable for any interest.
- Quick to load, with an uncluttered UI to boot.
In 2021, in addition to the 12 websites listed above, there are two other important websites where you can watch free TV online:
Everybody here is familiar with YouTube; most of us have watched full episodes on the site. There are whole episodes of TV shows available here, albeit the legality of doing so varies. That’s why it’s not on the list up top, although this video streaming service does host both classic and contemporary fare.
Digital Library: Since, let’s face it, the Internet Archive is wonderful and provides almost everything you could ever need, it features on almost all of my lists. This website’s material may be jumbled, so use the filters to find what you’re looking for.
FAQs
What is cord cutting?
The term “cord cutting” refers to abandoning traditional pay-TV packages in favor of free or subscription-based online alternatives.
How do you know if a TV show streaming service is legal?
Vudu, Popcornflix, Crackle, etc., are all legal TV streaming sites that offer free programming in exchange for advertising. There is no foolproof method to determine whether or not a website is legitimate. Still, if you encounter a lot of pop-up ads and recommendations to use a virtual private network (VPN) to hide your IP address, you are probably viewing content on a prohibited website.
Where can I find the best alternative to cable television?
Standard cable has rivals, both free and paid. Free websites like Vudu, Crunchyroll, Pluto TV, etc., offer older content, whereas subscription services like Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, etc., provide newer content.
What can I watch for free on Netflix?
Visit Netflix.com/free to watch full episodes of some of Netflix’s most popular series completely free of charge. TV programs including “Stranger Things,” “Our Planet,” and “Lost in Space” are available to stream on the internet without requiring users to sign up. The items in this catalog are updated regularly.
Does Roku allow for free TV streaming?
The Roku Channel is where users may get all of Roku’s free programming. Various Roku partners and channels, including Sony, Warner Bros., MGM, YuYu, FilmRise, Popcornflix, etc., have contributed videos to this channel. You can view it at this link:
How important is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if I only want to watch free content online?
A virtual private network (VPN) enables you to access websites and services normally blocked due to your location. Services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost are just a few examples.
Verdict
These free TV show streaming sites of 2021 have not been ranked because they all offer something different. With that in mind, I’ve done my best to draw attention to each product’s USPs so you can make an informed choice depending on your tastes. Feel free to share your thoughts on which of these trustworthy resources you found most enjoyable for watching TV shows online for free. What keeps you waiting, then? Get some popcorn and get started on your marathon right away!