As Internet access speeds increase, more and more people are viewing video on the web. Now you can watch TV online for free.
* As with most things on the Internet, these sites are not specifically geared towards children and some may contain mature content. Please preview any material and links before sharing them with your kids.
Fancast is owned by Comcast Interactive Media and holds contracts with all of the major network stations. You'll find episodes of
Glee,
House,
Grey's Anatomy,
NCIS and hundreds of other new and old favorites (
WKRP in Cincinnati anyone?). This site is easy to navigate and there is no confusion between full episodes/movies and previews/clips. They also highlight shows with new episodes.
If you're just starting to watch TV online, Hulu is a great starting point. Hulu has a diverse collection of advertising-supported TV shows and movies. From the latest episodes of the
Simpsons to classics such as
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, there's something for everyone. Requires Flash 9.0, but no special software. Note: Some of the entries are only clips, so make sure to look for full episodes/movies.
ABC has full episodes of TV favorites such as
Lost,
Grey's Anatomy and
Desperate Housewives, as well as special features like interviews. Some of the episodes are in HD. The ABC shows require the download of a special media player.
The NBC website has full episodes of
The Tonight Show,
Heroes and more than 20 others (click on "Watch Video"). There are also short summaries and special features. The video can be watched in your browser without any extra plugins and some episodes can be downloaded as well.
"Fox on Demand" includes full episodes of
The Simpsons,
Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?,
Bones and other Fox faves. You can also watch short clips, deleted scenes and promos. The site requires the download of a special media player.
Visit CBS to find full episodes of shows such as
Numb3ers,
CSI and
Two and a Half Men. There are also some great what-happens-after-they're-voted-off scenes from
Survivor. You can watch the videos in your browser without a special download.
USA doesn't have a lot of shows, but there is plenty of quality. Watch full episodes of
Psych,
Monk and
Burn Notice among others. No special browser is needed.
Guilty pleasures: full episodes of
Gossip Girl,
One Tree Hill and
Smallville on the CW. There are also extras from favorites like
America's Top Model. The CW requires a special download to watch videos.
ABC Family shares full episodes of
Greek,
Kyle XY and a variety of other shows. They also have a few movies. No special download required.
Nothing to watch on TV on late at night? There's plenty of reality TV on MTV.com. Watch full episodes of
The Real World,
The Hills,
Cribs or one of MTV's 30+ reality TV shows. You can also find the most recent versions of the MTV award shows. No special media player is needed.
If you're in the mood for a laugh, visit TBS for full episodes of
Family Guy and
Seinfeld. A special plugin is required to watch TV online on TBS.
