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Alternatives to a Cable Box

Although cable has been a popular method of watching premium channels since the 1980s, current technologies have made cable less necessary for people who want to watch their favorite shows without the monthly cable fees. Many online websites, services, and devices can help viewers meet their television needs without a cable box.
  1. Online options

    • Hulu.com offers many current television shows for free with some commercial interruption. Since 2008, Hulu has added many new television shows to its selection. Veoh.com also offers many entire television shows as well as movie and television clips.

      Many networks now offer the most recent episodes of their shows for free online. Networks such as NBC, ABC, and CW offer a wide variety of episodes for free with some commercial interruption.

    Other Services

    • Netflix offers not only films both streaming and by DVD, but also many recent television series. Netflix can provide entire seasons of most television shows both in streaming and DVD format.

      iTunes offers individual television shows for a fee. You are first required to download the iTunes interface, though, and can only view the iTunes products through the iTunes player.

    Devices

    • In order to watch Netflix and other online services through your television, you often needs devices. Gaming devices such as the XBox, Wii, and Playstation 3 now offer Netflix as a streaming option with an existing Netflix account. If you do not have a gaming device, another option is Roku, a small box that allows current Netflix users watch streaming shows on their televisions.

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