As broadband Internet service expands its reach to more areas, more and more people are interested in online video. As the quality continues to improve, many people have begun watching TV online instead of using traditional means such as cable or satellite. Many websites have come in to fill the need of TV watchers with online content, but all websites are not created equal. While there are many reputable sites out there to watch TV online, some sites download programs onto your computer that can cause it to slow down or even become inoperable. This page will list the best known resources for watching TV online as well as facts to consider when looking for online TV shows.
Notes About Watching TV Online
Some sites, such as Hulu, have come under criticism because much of their content can be embedded into other sites or services. Content producers of the site have expressed their concerns that sites that use the embedded materials en masse may be stealing a customer base away from their primary web outlets. Because of these complaints, Hulu decided to block sites such as TV.com and Boxee from using their video.Hulu Blog: Doing hard things (February 18, 2009)
References
Fast Facts
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Online TV is best at higher Internet speeds
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Most major networks have some shows online
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More and more classic TV shows are becoming available
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Some websites offer advanced options for premium payment
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Free viewing is usually provided with advertisements
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Online advertisements are less intrusive than regular TV advertisements
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Sites may offer option of longer commercial at beginning and reward with commercial free broadcast
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New shows are usually not available until after a waiting period following the initial broadcast over network channels
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Waiting periods for new shows can range from 24 hours to a week or more
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Many sites rotate content to keep the shows offered fresh
