A smart TV with an antenna, internet, and streaming device, can display local news and programs, along with thousands of movies and shows from across the USA and around the world.

The internet is required for the complete list below, however without internet, the viewer can watch many local broadcast TV programs and movies using an antenna just as their parents did in those olden years. And with a DVD player, many movies and programs are available for free from the local library.

The only continuing cost with the streaming TV services listed below is the cost of the internet service. The viewer will need an internet connection of 25 Mbps or higher to view a reliable buffer-free video program from the internet.

The TV Streamer, TV antenna, and the Smart TV itself are one time costs to purchase. You might have heard of the two top TV Streamers: Roku and Amazon's Fire Stick. While Smart TV sets have a basic built-in streaming service, it is usually less responsive and may not link to all the services you wish to use. Both Roku and Firestick basic versions are often on sale for US$30 and under. For more features and perhaps a better video, jump up a tier to a streamer listed as 4K compatible. While 4K programs are still limited in 2024, the electronics in the streamers may also produce better picture signals for todays high definition programs and movies as well as a more stable interface. The upgraded units often run from US$50 to US$99, depending upon additional features.

The wireless systems are convenient if your TV is far away from the internet router; However, the absolute best picture will always be with a cable connected from router to the streamer and from the streamer to the TV. But a wired connection is not always possible in some homes, so just try to keep the wireless devices within the same room to have the best internet pathway to the TV and your remote control. Doors and walls between devices may cause a signal decrease that is noticeable on your TV set.

You may watch “Free” internet TV if you will watch commercials, just like American TV has always been.

Nothing is free on the internet. Either you pay with money, your time, or you buy a product from them. Otherwise, you (your information) will be the product the website will sell - to others.

Websites, just like any business, have to make money, or management  can not purchase equipment and pay their employees.

For TV streaming, the sites have to collect money from their viewers, or sell advertising and play commercials either before, or during the program you selected to watch.

Some free sites will ask you to open a free account. An account is not required, but it will offer you additional options of saving a list of shows you wish to watch later, and even allow you to pause a move that you wish to continue on another day. With an account, the site will recognize you and will display your selections and the movie you were watching. With a click of the button you can re-start the movie from the point where you left the movie the other day. Other features may also be offered.

Why will the site ask you to open a free account? The Video Service that sells commercials can go to clients and tell the prospective client that the site has , say, 30,000 viewers each day that will see their commercial. The website sales department can prove this amount of viewers by the number of accounts the site has. There would be no easy way to verify to clients those viewers on-the-fly without accounts and to prove those viewers would ever plan to return.

Now that we understand the definition of Free on the internet , below you will find many streaming services that are completely free or have a selection of free programs available for viewers.

Coming In April 2024.