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Where to Watch TV Shows Online for Free in 2025: Top Sites Ranked
Discover the top 10 free websites to watch TV shows online in 2025. Stream your favorite series and find new hits without spending a dime.
Tired of endless subscription fees? You're not alone. Many people are looking for ways to watch their favorite TV shows without breaking the bank. The good news is, there are more high-quality, legal, and free websites to watch TV shows than ever before. This article will guide you through the best options available in 2025, so you can keep up with both classic hits and new releases without paying a monthly bill. We’ve done the research to find reliable platforms where you can stream shows free online.
1.Tubi: The King of Free Streaming
When it comes to free websites to watch TV shows, Tubi consistently tops the list, and for good reason. Owned by Fox, this platform boasts a massive library of on-demand movies and television series that rivals many paid services. The sheer volume of content is impressive, with tens of thousands of titles available. You can find everything from classic sitcoms and dramas to reality TV and even some newer, exclusive Tubi Originals. The platform has made a significant push into original content, offering fresh shows you won’t find anywhere else.
Finding what to watch is straightforward thanks to a clean and user-friendly interface. Content is organized into logical categories like "Most Popular," "New Releases," and various genres. This makes it easy to discover new shows or jump back into old favorites. You don’t even need to create an account to start watching, which is a huge plus for those who value privacy and convenience. However, signing up for a free account allows you to create watchlists and access your viewing history across devices.
Of course, to keep the service free, Tubi is ad-supported. You can expect commercial breaks similar to traditional television, but they are generally less frequent than on cable. The streaming quality is solid, with most content available in high definition. Tubi is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a vast and varied library of free TV.
2.Pluto TV: Feels Like Real TV
Pluto TV, owned by Paramount, offers a unique approach among the free websites to watch TV shows. It successfully blends on-demand content with a live TV experience. If you miss the feeling of channel surfing, Pluto TV is for you. It features hundreds of live, linear channels dedicated to specific genres, shows, or themes. You can flip through channels for news, best websites for sports streaming, comedy, and even single-show channels that play episodes of a popular series 24/7. This makes it easy to just put something on and let it play, much like traditional television.
Beyond its live channels, Pluto TV also has a substantial on-demand library. You can find a wide range of TV shows from Paramount's extensive catalog, including popular series from networks like CBS, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon. This is a great way to catch up on shows you might have missed. The interface is designed to mimic a cable TV guide, which feels familiar and is easy to navigate.
Like Tubi, Pluto TV is entirely free and ad-supported. The ad load is comparable to cable TV, so expect commercial breaks during your viewing. No account is needed to start watching, but creating one allows for some personalization. If you’re looking for a service that replicates the traditional TV experience while also offering a solid on-demand selection, Pluto TV is a fantastic option.
3.The Roku Channel: More Than Just a Device
You don't need a Roku device to access The Roku Channel, making it one of the most accessible free websites to watch TV shows. It's available on a wide range of smart TVs, mobile devices, and web browsers. The Roku Channel offers a compelling mix of free live TV channels, on-demand shows, and exclusive Roku Originals. These originals have been gaining traction, with some well-known actors and quality productions that you won't find on other free platforms.
The on-demand library is extensive, featuring a rotating selection of popular TV shows from various networks and studios. You can find everything from classic comedies to gripping dramas and reality TV. The live TV guide is similar to Pluto TV's, offering a channel-surfing experience with a variety of themed channels. This is a great way to discover new content or have something playing in the background.
The Roku Channel is ad-supported, with commercial breaks throughout its content. The user interface is clean and easy to use, especially if you are already familiar with the Roku ecosystem. One of the standout features is its integration with premium subscriptions. If you subscribe to services like Showtime or AMC+, you can access that content directly through The Roku Channel, creating a more unified streaming hub. This is a great platform to stream shows free online.
4.Amazon Freevee (via Prime Video): Premium Content for Free
Amazon Freevee, formerly IMDb TV, is a premium free streaming service that is undergoing a transition. By mid-2025, the standalone Freevee app will be discontinued, and all of its content will be integrated into Amazon's Prime Video platform. The great news is that you will not need a Prime subscription to watch Freevee's library. This move will make it even easier to find and watch series for free. Freevee has been known for its high-quality original series, such as the popular crime drama Bosch: Legacy.
The service offers a strong selection of licensed TV shows from various networks, alongside its growing slate of originals. Because it's backed by Amazon, Freevee often has access to more recent and popular shows than some other free services, spanning genres from crime dramas to even offering some options for those looking forsports streaming websites for free. The integration with Prime Video means you'll be able to find this free, ad-supported content alongside the vast library available to Prime subscribers, clearly marked as free with ads.
As an ad-supported service, you can expect commercial interruptions. However, the quality of the content often makes this a worthwhile trade-off. Once fully integrated into Prime Video, finding these free websites to watch TV shows will be even more seamless for the millions who already use the Amazon platform. This is a top-tier option for those who watch TV shows, and free of ads is not a priority over content quality.
5.Plex: Your Personal Media Hub and Free Content
Plex started as a way for people to organize and stream their own personal media libraries, but it has since evolved into a comprehensive streaming platform. It now offers a vast, ad-supported library of on-demand movies and TV shows, as well as live TV channels. This makes it a powerful and versatile option among the free websites to watch TV shows. You can find a diverse range of shows, from popular network series to classic TV and international content.
What sets Plex apart is its ability to combine this free content with your own personal media. If you have a collection of digital movies and shows, you can set up a Plex Media Server and access them from anywhere, on any device, right alongside Plex's free streaming library. This creates a truly personalized entertainment hub. It’s a great way to organize what you already own and supplement it with a wealth of free content.
Plex's free content is ad-supported, similar to other services on this list. A significant change for 2025 is that remote streaming of your personal media will require a paid Plex Pass. However, local streaming of your own content and accessing their ad-supported library remains free. For those who want to combine their personal media with a robust free streaming offering, Plex is an unbeatable choice.
6.Sling Freestream: A Solid Cable Alternative
Sling TV is well-known for its paid live TV streaming service, but it also offers a fantastic free tier called Sling Free. This makes it a strong contender for those looking for free websites to watch TV shows. Sling Freestream provides access to hundreds of live TV channels and a generous library of on-demand shows and movies without requiring a credit card or even an account. You can simply visit the website or download the app and start watching immediately.
The live channel lineup on Sling Freestream is impressive, with a wide variety of news, entertainment, and lifestyle channels. You can find dedicated channels for popular shows, as well as genre-based channels that offer a continuous stream of content. The on-demand section includes full seasons of many popular TV series, making it a great resource for binge-watching. This is a great way to explore a lot of different what to watch options.
Because it's a free service, you will encounter ads. The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, clearly separating thefree content from the paid Sling TV offerings. Sling Freestream is a great way to get a taste of the live TV streaming experience without any commitment, and its extensive on-demand library makes it a valuable resource for any cord-cutter. It's a great platform to stream shows free online.
7.Xumo Play: A Hub of Live and On-Demand Content
Xumo Play is another excellent free streaming service that offers a mix of live channels and on-demand TV shows and movies. A joint venture between Comcast and Charter Communications, Xumo Play provides a wide array of content without a subscription. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking for diverse free websites to watch TV shows.You can find over 300 channels, including news from major networks, as well as channels dedicated to specific genres like comedy, crime, classic TV, and even some channels perfect for anime fans looking for the best anime websites.
The on-demand library on Xumo Play is also quite extensive, with a good selection of TV shows you can watch at your convenience. The platform has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to switch between the live TV guide and the on-demand section. While you won't find as many high-profile originals as on a service like Freevee, the sheer volume of content makes Xumo Play a worthwhile destination.
As with all the services on this list, Xumo Play is ad-supported. The ad breaks are comparable to what you would find on traditional television. Xumo Play is a great all-around service that provides a lot of content for free, making it a valuable tool for anyone looking to supplement their streaming options or cut the cord entirely.
8.Kanopy: Free Streaming with Your Library Card
Kanopy offers a unique and ad-free way to watch TV shows with no ads. Instead of being supported by commercials, Kanopy is available for free through participating public libraries and universities. If your local library is a member, you can sign up for a Kanopy account with your library card and gain access to a curated collection of high-quality films and television series. This makes it a truly special offering among free websites to watch TV shows.
The content on Kanopy tends to be more thought-provoking and critically acclaimed than on other free platforms. You can find a fantastic selection of classic cinema, independent films, documentaries, and foreign television series. It also includes "The Great Courses," a series of educational lectures on a wide range of subjects. While you might not find the latest network blockbusters, you will discover a wealth of enriching and entertaining content.
Because it’s ad-free, the viewing experience is uninterrupted. Your library may set a limit on the number of titles you can watch each month, so it's a good idea to check their specific policies. For those who appreciate artistic and educational content, Kanopy is an incredible and often overlooked resource.
9. Popcornflix: A Reborn Hub for Hidden Gems
Popcornflix shares a similar comeback story to Crackle. It was also owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and briefly shut down during the company's bankruptcy. However, Popcornflix was sold and is back online, once again offering a library of free, ad-supported movies and TV shows. This makes it a worthy replacement for those looking for free websites to watch TV shows with a focus on independent films and genre favorites.
The library on Popcornflix is known for its eclectic mix of content. You won't find a lot of mainstream network shows, but you will find a treasure trove of cult classics, foreign films, independent productions, and unique documentaries. It's a fantastic service for adventurous viewers and is one of the best websites to cure boredom when you want to find something truly different. The interface is simple, allowing you to browse by genre or search for titles directly.
Like the other major players, Popcornflix is supported by ads. You don't need to sign up for an account, which allows for quick and easy viewing. For movie and TV fans who love digging for hidden gems and exploring content off the beaten path, the return of Popcornflix is welcome news.
10.YouTube: An Official Hub for Full TV Series
While YouTube is famous for user-generated content, it has also become a legitimate destination for full-length TV shows and movies. Many production companies and distributors have official YouTube channels where they legally upload full episodes of classic TV series. This makes YouTube a surprisingly good resource on the list of free websites to watch TV shows. You can find entire seasons of beloved shows from past decades, all available for free.
In addition to official uploads, YouTube also has a dedicated "Movies & TV" section where you can find a selection of ad-supported films and shows. It's important not to confuse the free content on YouTube with its paid subscription service, YouTube TV. If you're a subscriber to the latter and are looking to cut costs, you might be interested in learning how to cancel YouTube TV and explore these free alternatives instead. The familiar YouTube interface makes it easy to search for content, and the platform is accessible on virtually every device.
The ad experience on YouTube can vary. Some shows may have pre-roll or mid-roll ads inserted by YouTube, while others may have very few interruptions. The quality of the uploads can also differ, but many are in high definition. For those willing to do a little searching, YouTube offers a vast and often overlooked library of free television content.It is a great place to start if you want to watch series online.
Conclusion: Your Guide to Free Entertainment
Cutting the cord on expensive cable and streaming subscriptions doesn't mean you have to give up on your favorite TV shows. As we've seen, there is a wealth of fantastic and legally free websites to watch TV shows available in 2025. From the massive libraries of Tubi and Pluto TV to the ad-free, curated content of Kanopy, there is a platform to suit every taste. By exploring these options, you can enjoy endless hours of entertainment without spending a penny.
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Written by
Kimmy
Published on
Jul 28, 2025
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