Find sites with shows you are interested in. For new shows, check sites like www.abc.com and www.nbc.com. These networks offer high-quality streams of their own shows---often just a few hours after they air on TV.
For older shows or movies, check www.hulu.com. Hulu offers many shows that are no longer on the air. Hulu does offer new shows as well through licensing agreements with various networks.
Allow shows to load for several minutes before you begin watching them. This will minimize viewing interruptions and jerky playback. During peak hours, let videos load for five to ten minutes before watching them.
If you are using a wireless Internet connection, plug your computer into your router directly through the ethernet port. While this may not always be convenient, it can greatly increase speed when sites are experiencing heavy traffic.
Try watching TV shows in high definition (HD). Many sites like www.abc.com and www.hulu.com offer both HD and standard resolution programs. Allow HD programs to load longer than standard definition shows to prevent playback errors.
Try watching shows during off-hours. Morning to midafternoon and after 11 p.m. are often the best times to watch TV shows online, as popular sites have less traffic during these hours.