With so many companies getting onto the internet TV bandwagon, it has become really hard to choose a legitimate site that allows you to watch TV online. While some websites tend to redirect you to other streaming websites such as YouTube, others lure you with their live TV content promotions only to end up infecting your computer with malware or virus. How then do you choose the best place for streaming TV content and watch TV online?

Check out these options below so that you can easily watch TV online.

Netflix

Netflix has been unanimously crowned the King of online TV streaming. As one of the first companies to use the internet for video streaming purposes, Netflix had a head start in the internet TV business and turned a simple mail-order DVD rental business into the gigantic online streaming cable TV business we are very familiar with today.

Hulu

Featuring a website that offers online access to old as well as new TV content, Hulu is one of those places where you can be assured of high-quality TV content and you can watch TV online. The company also teamed up with Yahoo to provide free access to old shows, some of which you can’t find anywhere else on the internet. A paid subscription also lets you view recent TV shows and recent hit movies; much better when you consider paying the same amount for a few shows on cable TV.

Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime is slowly gaining ground on Netflix and has a steady fan following today owing to its varied online TV content. It differs slightly from Netflix and Hulu in the fact that it allows users to choose shows they want to watch under a monthly or yearly paid subscription (the other two sites offer full access to their videos for paid subscriptions). The TV shows and movies offered under the free plan are mostly old episodes and low ranked movies. So if you want to watch TV online regularly, you may want to use Hulu or Netflix instead.

Vudu Service

Walmart acquired Vudu back in 2010 and changed the peer-to-peer video streaming service into an online library offering thousands of TV series and movies to be streamed on computers, televisions, and even mobile devices. Offering a pricing scheme similar to Amazon Prime, Vudu does not ask for a membership fee and allows you to pay for the TV shows and movies you choose to watch TV online. Vudu also features an extensive “Movies On Us” library where you can gain access to hundreds of TV shows and movies for free with the only catch being these videos will contain ads.

Xfinity Stream

If you are wondering how to watch cable TV online, you may try Comcast’s Xfinity Stream, which allows you to stream TV shows and movies right onto your mobile devices, tablets or laptops. Expanding its reach to include the most recent shows and movies, Xfinity Stream now has an impressive collection of popular movies and TV shows that can be streamed from anywhere in the world.

CinemaNow

As the premier online source for digital video cameras and laptops, BestBuy now offers an online video streaming service called CinemaNow. You can gain access to hundreds of new and old TV shows, movies, documentaries, and even network shows. CinemaNow allows you to choose between a “New Rentals” category where you pay a one-time rental fee to watch your favorite movies and a full-download purchase option, which gives you access to the more recent blockbusters.

Fandango Now

As one of the most popular online review sites, Fandango has now started its own video streaming service called Fandango Now. A boon for anyone who wants to watch cable TV live online, Fandango Now provides access to the latest movies and TV shows for just a fraction of the cost you will pay for cable each month. It also waivers off the subscription fee that one has to pay with Amazon Prime.

Other notable mentions

In addition to all these online TV streaming services, some other companies have also been making a foray into the business and allow you to watch TV online. These include:

iTunes

Apple has now started offering digital content streaming services through its existing iTunes service with prices comparable to those of Vudu and Amazon.

Google Play

Google has a separate Movies & TV section which allows you to purchase and stream TV episodes, as well as movies on a variety of Android devices.

YouTube

YouTube remains the single most popular provider of free online content in the world. It also offers a range of TV shows and movies that come with the paid plan, including YouTube Movies.

Crackle

An online streaming service that offers access to old movies and shows.

SlingTV

A digital streaming service that is accessible for a monthly fee of $20.

DirecTV Now

A digital streaming service that allows you to watch live TV at just $35 a month.

Online streaming of television shows and movies has become a norm these days with millions of people on the hunt for legitimate digital video streaming services. These are some of the legitimate and scam-free websites that offer you access to millions of movies and television shows across the globe for free or for monthly/yearly paid subscription plans.