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It’s hard to imagine watching TV without the internet today since almost everything is connected online. The Internet offers numerous activities, such as shopping, music streaming, and watching TV shows and movies through various paid and free apps.
However, some issues can make relying on the internet tricky. For instance, falling behind on bills can lead to disconnection, or an outage can leave you without access for hours.
To deal with these challenges, some people resort to free Wi-Fi at libraries or coffee shops, which comes with time limitations and inconvenience. Others use mobile data from their phones, but this often comes with data caps and can be costly, especially with unlimited plans costing between $25 and $80+ per month.
Nevertheless, there are alternative methods for watching TV without the internet, and these 19 methods offer solutions and help save money on bills in the long term.
Streaming TV without internet via Smart TV
Owning a smart television has become common. Their popularity is due to their ability to perform tasks that regular televisions cannot do, such as browsing social media, playing music, and downloading apps.
However, as with any technology, smart TVs have a few downsides, particularly regarding their Internet connection. Bad weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, and storms, can interfere with the Internet connection, resulting in buffering, freezing, and crashes. These issues can be frustrating when watching your favorite show or movie.
So, in short, the answer to the question “Can you watch a smart TV without the Internet?” is a resounding “yes.”
Luckily, there are some non-Internet alternatives available if you’re reluctant to give up your smart TV:
1. Transfer videos from a Flash Drive
If you have obtained legal permission, you can transfer downloaded TV shows or movies to a flash drive and then connect it to your smart TV to watch them on a bigger screen.
However, before proceeding with this method, it is crucial to check if the flash drive you intend to use is compatible with your television. Not all smart TVs that come with USB ports support every type of flash drive. Therefore, it is recommended that you ensure that your flash drive is compatible with your smart TV before transferring any downloaded content onto it.
2. Install a cable or satellite TV service
One advantage of having a smart TV is that it can easily be used as a regular TV.
To do so, you will need to order and set up a cable box or satellite receiver. You can contact service providers such as DirecTV or Comcast/Xfinity.
Once you have the necessary equipment, simply connect it to your smart TV and follow the instructions provided by the service provider to complete the setup process. Once set up, you can enjoy your favorite TV shows and channels like regular television.
3. Attach your DVD player, Blu-ray player, or VCR
As technology advances, videotapes, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs are becoming less common. However, it’s worth noting that some people still enjoy these types of media, and you might be one of them. Perhaps you have a collection of classic movies or TV shows you repeatedly watch. If so, you might wonder how to enjoy them on your smart TV.
The good news is that most smart TVs come equipped with HDMI connections, making it simple to install your tape or disc player and watch your favorite flicks or episodes. With just a few easy steps, you can connect your player to your TV and start enjoying your media in high definition. Plus, if you have a collection of rare or hard-to-find titles, you can rest assured that you’ll still be able to enjoy them, even as physical media becomes less common.
Making it Old School
Purchasing a smart TV typically costs around $250.00, which might strain your budget unless you’re willing to splurge.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, there are some alternatives worth considering, though they may be somewhat outdated:
4. Purchase a regular television
If you’re in the market for a new TV, you might want to consider getting a regular, also known as a “dumb TV.” While it may not have all the high-tech features of a smart TV, it is a much more affordable option. Prices for a regular TV can range from around $95.00 to $1,030.00, depending on the size and brand you choose.
Not only that, but a regular TV is often more user-friendly for those who are less familiar with technology. Plus, you can still enjoy your favorite shows and movies with various streaming devices connected to a regular TV.
5. Connect an antenna
Watching television through traditional antennas may seem outdated, but it is a cost-effective option that requires only an initial investment in equipment.
You can choose an antenna from the classic rabbit-eared style or the more modern flat antenna. Furthermore, indoor and outdoor antennas are available to cater to your specific requirements.
Selecting an antenna with the most potent frequencies is crucial to ensure optimal signal strength and the best viewing experience.
6. Buy a portable DVD or Blu-Ray player
Did you know DVD and Blu-Ray players are still available from stores like Walmart and Best Buy? These gadgets are handy, particularly during long trips, where you can simply pop in a disc and enjoy your favorite movies or TV shows without an internet connection.
Moreover, these players are rechargeable, making them a reliable source of entertainment during temporary power outages. With their user-friendly interface and high-quality video playback, DVD/Blu-Ray players are an excellent investment for anyone looking for a convenient, hassle-free entertainment option.
Streaming TV without Internet via a mobile device
Many cable TV alternatives are available to everyone. However, when traveling long distances on a bus or train, one may find themselves stuck with low-quality Wi-Fi, which can cause frustration and ruin the entertainment experience.
You can always opt for TV streaming options compatible with your Android, iPhone, Windows, and/or Mac devices to avoid such inconveniences. While these streaming options require an internet connection to download, you can enjoy watching your favorite TV shows or movies stored on your hard drive or internal storage offline, without any buffering interruptions, by using these streaming options:
7. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is a streaming service offering a vast library of movies, TV shows, and original content. Although it requires a subscription, which costs around $180.00 per year, it provides access to exclusive content unavailable on other platforms. Moreover, the subscription has many benefits, including free two-day shipping on eligible items, access to Prime Music, unlimited photo storage, and more.
You can easily download your favorite movies and shows to your device to watch offline. To download an episode of a show, simply click the downward arrow next to it. If you want to download a movie, go to the “Details” page and click the download button. Overall, Amazon Prime Video is an excellent investment for anyone who loves entertainment and online shopping.
8. Apple TV Plus
When it comes to Apple TV Plus, the amount you pay depends on how you choose to purchase it. You can opt for a monthly subscription, sign up for Apple One, or buy an Apple device. If you choose the monthly subscription option, the cost will be approximately $5.00 per month, and you get to enjoy a free trial period of one week. For those who bundle up to five Apple devices with Apple One, the cost is just $14.95 per month. This option also gives you access to a 30-day free trial period.
If you decide to purchase an Apple device, you’ll automatically receive Apple TV Plus for three months absolutely free. Once you’ve signed up, you can easily download your favorite shows or films by clicking or tapping the arrow next to them. To access your downloaded content, visit the Library tab and click “Downloaded.”
It’s important to note that most downloads are only available for 30 days or less, so choosing your movies or shows is wise. With this information in mind, you can enjoy all the great content Apple TV Plus offers.
9. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is a fantastic app every anime fan should have on their device. This app is not just a hub of anime shows; it provides you with manga, games, news, and much more. You can sign up for any of its three premium plans: Fan, Mega Fan, or Ultimate Fan. The Fan plan costs $7.99 per month, the Mega Fan plan is $9.99 per month, and the Ultimate Fan plan is $14.99 per month. However, if you’re unsure which plan to choose, you can try Crunchyroll’s 14-day free trial.
While you can opt for a free account on Crunchyroll, it is not recommended. Free accounts are bombarded with ads, and you can’t download or view anime offline. If you want to watch anime movies and shows offline, you need to become a Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan member.
To download and watch anime episodes offline, click on the download button. This action will sync the selected episodes to your device. Once you’ve synced the episodes, go to “My Lists” and click “Offline” to watch them. However, keep in mind that the episodes expire after a week, so it’s best to view them as soon as possible. If you begin playing the episodes, they will expire after two days.
10. Disney Plus
Disney Plus is a streaming platform that offers an extensive collection of movies and TV shows. In addition to classic Disney titles like Toy Story and Frozen, you can access Marvel and Star Wars franchises and various other content.
If you want to subscribe to Disney Plus, you can choose from three different plans. The monthly plan costs $7.99, while the yearly plan costs $79.99. Additionally, a bundle includes Hulu and ESPN Plus for $19.99 per month.
Disney Plus also offers an offline viewing feature if you like to watch movies and TV shows on the go. However, this feature is only available for Android and Apple devices. To use this feature, you only need to tap the Downloads symbol and press “Play” near the episode or movie you want to watch. This way, you can enjoy your favorite Disney Plus content without an internet connection.
11. ESPN Plus
ESPN Plus is an excellent platform for those passionate about sports to satiate your appetite. It offers a vast range of sports events, from soccer matches to college football games, as well as documentaries that provide an in-depth look at your favorite athletes and teams. Depending on your subscription, you can expect to pay approximately $10.00 per month or $100.00 per year, which is reasonable considering its extensive content.
Moreover, if you want more value, you can get the ESPN/Hulu/Disney Plus bundle for about $14.00 monthly. This bundle allows you to access ESPN Plus, Hulu, and Disney Plus, providing a vast library of shows and movies.
It’s worth noting that, similar to Disney Plus, you can only download ESPN Plus shows offline through your smartphone. To download your favorite sports shows, simply tap the download image next to the title, and they will be saved in the ESPN Plus Library. The best part is that there are no downloading limits, so you can download as much content as you want and watch it offline whenever you please.
12. Google Play Movies and TV
Google Play is a popular platform where you can find various apps, games, music, TV shows, and movies. One of the great features of this platform is that you don’t have to pay anything to own the app itself. You can download it for free on your device and start exploring the vast collection of content available on it.
However, the price of TV shows or movies may vary depending on the content you’re interested in. You can browse the TV shows and movies on Google Play and choose the one you like. Once you have selected, you can purchase it by following the instructions provided on the platform.
After you have made your purchase, you can then download the video to your device. To do this, tap on the “Library” section of the app and look for the content you purchased. Once you find it, tap the downward arrow icon to start downloading. This way, you can enjoy watching your favorite TV shows and movies even offline.
13. HBO Max
HBO Max is a popular streaming service that offers a vast collection of hit movies and TV shows. One of its main advantages is that it allows you to watch Warner Bros. films just 45 days after they premiere in theaters. Additionally, you can enjoy free episodes of your favorite shows before committing to a subscription plan.
HBO Max offers four different subscription plans. The first option is a basic plan that costs $9.99 per month and includes ads. If you prefer an ad-free experience, you can opt for the second plan, which costs $14.99 per month.
For those who are interested in an annual subscription, HBO Max offers two different options. The first plan costs $69.99 annually and comes with ads for the first year. The second plan costs $104.99 per year and is ad-free for the first year.
It’s worth noting that, at the moment, you can only download videos to your phone for offline viewing. Additionally, offline videos are only available for users with an ad-free subscription plan. To download a video, you simply need to open the HBO Max app, select the desired movie or episode, and tap the downward arrow. Keep in mind that each video you download will expire after two days, and you can only have a maximum of 30 downloads at a time.
14. Netflix
Netflix has transformed from a company that offered a DVD-only subscription plan in the 1990s to a comprehensive streaming service provider that allows you to watch your favorite TV shows and movies online. However, if you prefer to receive DVDs instead of streaming content, you can still opt for the DVD-only plan, which offers free shipping and no late fees.
If you are interested in using Netflix’s streaming service, you can try it for free for 30 days before you sign up for one of its three subscription plans—Basic, Standard, or Premium. The Basic plan starts at $9.99 per month, the Standard plan is $15.49 per month, and the Premium plan is $19.99 per month.
If you want to watch a Netflix show or movie on your smartphone or Windows computer, you can download the content by clicking the downward arrow next to the title. After you log in, you can find your downloaded videos under the “Downloads” section. However, not all titles are available for downloading, and you can only store up to 100 videos at a time.
15. Hulu
Hulu is a popular streaming platform that offers an extensive collection of movies, TV shows, live sports, and news channels. After your one-month free trial period ends, you can access over 75 channels and choose from six plans.
Hulu’s base plans include a $6.99 per month plan with ads and a $12.99 per month plan without ads. Additionally, Hulu offers three other plans that bundle with Disney/ESPN Plus, including Hulu/Disney/ESPN Plus for $13.99 per month, Hulu/Disney/ESPN Plus (Ad-Free) for $19.99 per month, and Hulu/Disney/ESPN Plus (Including Live TV) for $69.00 per month.
If you’re a college student, you can benefit from the student discount of $1.99 per month on the last Hulu plan mentioned above. Moreover, you can download videos on your iPhone or Android device by locating them through Hulu’s search bar and clicking on the “Downloadable” option, then tapping on the downward arrow. You can access your downloaded shows and movies by opening the Hulu app and pressing the “Downloads” tab.
Hulu is an excellent alternative to Netflix, offering a wide range of entertainment options at affordable prices.
16. Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus is a streaming service that truly lives up to its motto, “A Mountain of Entertainment.” It offers movies and TV shows from some of the most popular channels, including Nickelodeon, MTV, and CBS. If you’re unsure whether to subscribe, you can watch some of its free episodes or take advantage of the seven-day trial before deciding.
There are two subscription plans available on Paramount Plus: Essential and Premium. The Essential plan costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year and offers access to a wide range of movies and shows. On the other hand, the Premium plan provides access to your local CBS station and fewer advertisements than the Essential plan. It is available for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
If you’re attending school, you’ll be glad to know that Paramount Plus offers a 25 percent discount to students who sign up for a plan.
As a Premium member, you can download videos to your Android or iPhone. Simply look for the downward arrow next to the titles available for download and press it to begin. Once the download is complete, touch the “Complete” button to finish.
17. Vudu
The website is owned and operated by Fandango, a popular company that sells movie tickets. Another platform for watching movies and TV shows is Vudu. This platform offers a wide selection of well-known and independent titles that you can either rent or buy. Vudu also provides early access to new releases currently playing in theaters.
In addition, the platform allows you to download multiple videos simultaneously on your iPhone or Android device, giving you the flexibility to watch your favorite content offline whenever and wherever you want.
18. YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium is a subscription service that offers various benefits to its users. One of the most significant advantages is that it provides ad-free videos, which means that you can enjoy your favorite content without any interruptions. Additionally, it offers ad-free music streaming and access to a kid-friendly channel called YouTube Kids.
If you want to use YouTube Premium, you can sign up for a free trial that lasts 30 days (or three months for students). After the trial period ends, you have a choice of three plans to choose from:
- Individual plan: This plan costs $11 per month or $119 per year and is suitable for single users who want to enjoy ad-free content independently.
- Family plan: The family plan costs $17.99 per month and allows up to six family members to use the same account, each with their own personalized recommendations.
- Student plan: This plan costs $6.99 per month and is available exclusively to students. It offers all the features of the individual plan at a discounted price.
To download YouTube Premium on your computer or smartphone, visit the Watch page and click or tap the “Download” button. This will take you to the download page to choose the appropriate version for your device and operating system. Once you have downloaded the app, you can sign in using your YouTube account and enjoy all the benefits of YouTube Premium.
19. WiTV Viewer
WiTV Viewer is a fantastic tool for watching and enjoying thousands of channels from various parts of the world. With this app, you can easily tune in to your favorite programs, record shows, and switch between channels. It’s worth noting that this application is free of charge, which means you can use it without worrying about subscription fees or hidden costs.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that WiTV Viewer is not available in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Though it provides access to numerous channels from different regions globally, users residing in these countries may not be able to use it. This limitation is due to certain legal restrictions and licensing agreements that apply only to these regions.
The bottom line
In today’s world, the Internet has become an indispensable tool for communication, entertainment, and work. However, as much as we rely on the Internet, it’s also important to acknowledge that it’s not perfect, and we might face issues with our Ethernet or Wi-Fi connections from time to time.
It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of an Internet outage or connection problem. One way to be prepared for such situations is to learn how to watch TV without Internet access. This may sound like a forgotten art, but it can be useful even without an Internet connection.
By learning to watch TV without the Internet, you can apply the same principles to other scenarios requiring alternative connectivity solutions. For example, you can use your mobile data as a hotspot to connect to the Internet if your Wi-Fi is down.
Having a backup plan is essential in today’s fast-paced world and can save you from frustration and inconvenience. So, take some time to learn how to watch TV without the Internet, and be prepared for any sticky net-related situations you might find yourself in.