For the College Student: Budgeting Cheap TV
Discover Free TV Online or through an Antenna
The internet seems to be becoming the universal system for all things, including watching television. If Netflix isn’t enough, and you need to stay up-to-date on all of your current shows, look no further! Many large networks offer direct streaming from their websites of recent episodes, a few being:
- NBC
- CBS
- Fox
- ABC
Most of the networks’ websites require you to sit through some ads, just like regular cable. If the ads are too much though, a lot of these companies offer a small subscription fee to see a wider variety of episodes without the ads.
The most archaic form of free TV may be the antenna, but don’t worry, it isn’t a massive satellite taking up most of your living room. Most are actually small, stylish and easy to use, great for even the tightest of dorm rooms. Channel lineups depend on location, but ABC, NBC, CBS, and a lot of other channels are typically accessible.
Bundle Your Music
If you’re a student enrolled at a US Title IV accredited college or university, and if music fills a large part of your day, then this may be the perfect deal for you. Hulu and Spotify offer a low-priced subscription bundle when combining their TV and music. Better yet, like most companies, Hulu and Spotify offer college students the bundle for only $4.99 a month!
The college student package comes with the Premium version of Spotify, so you can play all the music you want ad-free and offline, as well as access to Hulu with limited commercials. Subscribers can cancel any time, and I think we’re all fairly familiar with the awesome mobility Hulu offers. Watch hit TV shows and movies anywhere, anytime, on any device.
Already subscribed to Hulu’s Limited Commercials plan? No problem! As long as you haven’t added on any premium network add-ons, like HBO, and if you pay Hulu rather than a third party, your existing Hulu account can be merged into this incredible bundle.
Get a Library Pass
This may seem as old-school as it gets, but with Blockbusters mostly out of the picture, what better way to rent your favorite movies? Media streamers offer a lot, but let’s be honest, there could definitely be more, and the library may just be the place to fill the void.
Not limited to books, your local library carries a wide range of audiobooks, music, and DVDs. Many even hold a lending program, so if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can have it transferred from a different branch as long as they are in the same network. For those who have a little more time available for homework than for TV, this is a perfect option.
Download the App
A growing variety of channels now have their own app. Programs like The CW, CBS, and PBS Kids even provide apps with recent episodes for free! Most channels usually offer a subscription fee, but it’s pretty small. A few networks with their own apps include
- DirecTV Now
- HBO Go
- WatchESPN
- Disney Channel
- ABC and more
If you find yourself constantly watching the same show or channel, it may be a good idea to do a quick search for your favorite networks.
Written by Chloe Loveland