With the creation of award-winning and compelling content on premium cable networks like HBO, Showtime, AMC, FX, and more, TV is quickly becoming the place to watch truly compelling entertainment that pushes the medium forward. At the same time that TV is getting better, technology is making it easier to access media wherever and whenever we want to. However, being able to access free TV on your mobile devices is still a hassle and virtually impossible.
Although we’re used to being able to sit down and watch TV shows for free on services like Hulu as well as a number of network websites, finding free TV in a mobile environment is a headache. It seems that every mobile TV platform is a paid service. And in this economy, not everyone has the extra money to shell out on monthly cable/satellite service or pay premium fees for specialized services.
But if you’re looking for a way to gain mobile access to your favorite shows, here is a rundown of some of the most popular streaming media options, despite their various costs.
1)Hulu Plus: Although you can watch plenty of TV shows and movies for free through Hulu on your computer, in order to watch it on your mobile device, you’ll have to pay. The Hulu+ app for your smartphone is $7.99/month and gives you access to all the premium content on Hulu+, not just the free stuff.
2) iTunes: There are thousands of movies and TV shows available on iTunes. However iTunes doesn’t have a subscription service, you have to buy (or rent) each episode, season, or movie individually. On the plus side, once you’ve bought and downloaded anything, it is yours to keep forever and you can play it without having to be connected to the internet.
3) Netflix: Netflix also has a huge streaming library of TV and movies, and you can download the app for free when you sign up for the service (starting at about $10/month). It’s a lot like Hulu+, only more focused on movies rather than TV shows.
4) Cable/Satellite providers: Not to be left behind in the digital revolution, many of the top cable and internet providers, like DISH and Comcast (Xfinity), now offer apps for watching premium content through your mobile device when you sign up for service. Pricing will vary according to your package and services, but you can end up paying over $100/month for one of these plans.
5) OrbLive and Slingbox: Others apps like OrbLive and Slingbox let you remotely access music, movies, and TV shows you have stored on your home computer. However, not only do you have to buy the app and the hardware ($100-$350), then you have to do all your own setup and may have to buy even more hardware in order to watch live TV. So, unless you’re very tech-savvy to begin with, this is probably not a good option.
Besides these options, you can download apps from ABC and CBS that offer you free access to their shows, but unless you’re a really big fan of CSI or The Bachelorette, this is very limiting.
In the end, if you want access to a wide variety of streaming content on your mobile device, you’ll need to pay. In order to decide which option is best for you, you’ll have to decide what kind of content you want access to and how much you are willing to pay. For those that want current TV episodes from the major networks, Hulu+ might be best. But if you want immediate access to a spate of HBO shows, maybe it’s better to go through your cable/satellite provider. Or if what you really want is movies, go for Netflix.
Source:http://www.worldtvpc.com/blog/5-ways-tv-mobile-device/
