This wikiHow teaches you how to watch television live on your computer using a network website or TV station, tuner, or paid streaming service.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Watching Television Through a TV Station Website
Step 1. Open a web browser on the computer
Step 2. Look for the website of the network or TV station
Many local television stations, as well as some of the major networks and cable channels, broadcast the latest episodes of their popular shows for free on their official websites. Some service providers broadcast live broadcasts in some areas. Usually, television stations in Indonesia do not broadcast programs for free on their websites. But in the United States, some of the major networks that provide content streaming services include:
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A B C:
abc.go.com/watch-live
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NBC:
www.nbc.com/video
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CBS:
www.cbs.com/watch/
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FOX:
www.fox.com/full-episodes
Step 3. Look for the link to watch television
Not all networks or television stations offer this option. If the site you're visiting doesn't offer online programming, check other sites, such as network affiliate sites in different markets. For Indonesian television stations, you can visit Vidio.com or NozTV.
Step 4. Click the link
Step 5. Enjoy the television shows you like
Method 2 of 3: Using the Subscription Service
Step 1. Visit the subscription television service site via a web browser
If you subscribe to a cable or satellite channel service, you can watch various cable networks by logging into the network's website using your account/subscription information
Step 2. Choose the services and packages that suit your needs
Step 3. Enjoy live television shows
You can watch live television on your computer with a Sling TV subscription or Hulu's Live TV beta program. In addition, YouTube has also launched a YouTube TV service that offers live television viewing for a flat monthly fee for certain cities.
- You don't need a cable or satellite subscription to use Slit TV or Hulu. Both services offer more than 50 channels.
- The live TV service that Hulu offers is only accessible through certain devices, such as Chromecast and Apple TV (4th Generation).
Step 4. Watch the latest television shows
- Hulu allows you to watch programming from major television stations and cable networks. Usually, new shows or episodes become available after they are broadcast on television. Most shows that Hulu offers have commercial breaks, but you can pay an additional fee to subscribe to a premium service without ads.
- HBO Now is a separate subscription service from HBO that can be accessed to watch HBO series, both new and ended (eg Game of Thrones. New episodes of the program on offer are available within hours of airing on their original schedule. Unlike the cable-affiliated HBO Go service, HBO Now does not require a cable or satellite television subscription.
Step 5. Watch all seasons of your favorite television series
Hulu and HBO feature entire seasons of various television series. In addition to these two services, the following services also offer all seasons of the television series/programs on offer:
- Netflix releases the service's original programming, such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black that airs by season, rather than by episode. In addition, Netflix also has an archive of all seasons of popular television series from several television networks/stations.
- Amazon Prime also offers a number of archived television series, as well as the service's original programs or shows, such as Transparent and The Man in the High Castle.
Method 3 of 3: Using a Television Tuner
Step 1. Purchase an external television tuner kit
This device allows you to connect an antenna or cable box to a computer, and use the computer to watch and change channels via the on-screen control interface.
- Television tuners for computers are usually sold in most electronics retail stores or buying and selling sites such as Tokopedia and Bukalapak.
- Many TV tuners allow you to record television shows and save them for later viewing, such as DVR devices.
Step 2. Connect the tuner device to the USB port
Plug the tuner directly into the computer's USB port, or a USB extension cable if the USB ports are too close together and cannot make room for the tuner. Do not use USB hubs as they usually do not have or provide sufficient power.
- You can also install a television tuner card in an empty PCI slot on your computer. However, this process is more difficult than using a television USB tuner. Read this article for details on installing a PCI card.
- An external TV USB tuner is easier to install than a television tuner card, and more effective.
Step 3. Connect the antenna or cable box
Some devices have a built-in antenna. If an antenna is not available, use a coaxial connector to connect the cable from the antenna or cable box to the television.
If you want to keep your cable box connected to your television as well as connect it to your computer, you'll need a coaxial cable splitter
Step 4. Install the tuner program
You may need to install the program that was included in the purchase package for the tuner. Follow the instructions provided in the purchase package to install the program.
Windows Media Center supports TV tuners
Step 5. Scan television channels/stations
Run the TV tuner program and follow the instructions to scan for available channels. If you use an antenna, the channel you get depends on the signal strength and antenna power.
