At Direct-PCTV.com you can pay a one-time price for software that allows you to access feeds to all the major networks and cable networks that you would pay for via cable or satellite. This is available to all Windows users who have a computer and internet connection which is fast enough to run the software. While the quality of the television feed isn't the best unless you have an incredible monitor and a very fast Internet connection, you can still access all these stations for a one-time price, as well as television stations from around the world.
The TVU Player can be downloaded online for free if you have the proper operating system for it and can access all the streaming television networks that put their feeds up online. They have numerous NBC and FOX stations that can be accessed through their streaming feed. While there may still be lags and hiccups and a variety of other problems associated with this method of viewing television on the computer, you will still have the ability to actually view television stations online without paying a dime beyond your basic Internet service fee.
By going down to a local electronics store, you can buy a TV tuner card, which is used to watch television stations on your computer. Inside most newer models of computers is something called a PCI slot; if you have one, these TV tuner cards can be installed along with bundled software and will allow you to plug your cable directly into your computer, turning it both into a PC and a television at the same time, keeping you from having to buy a television. However, the look of the picture will suffer a bit by doing this, and there will be no access to HD channels. Yet these TV tuner cards can also work like a DVR box, so you can fast-forward, pause and rewind on different television stations you are watching. These cards cost about $40 for a good one that will deliver the best image.