how to watch tv without cable or internet

If you know how to watch TV without cable or Internet, you don’t need to subscribe to a network or service. If you don’t, then you are in luck. We have the answers for you!

If you want to ditch your cable or Internet but still want to watch your favorite TV shows and live sporting events, you need a USB stick, a DVD player, Satellite TV, and a Blu-Ray player.

These devices don’t require an Internet connection to work properly. You should also get an HDTV antenna to access broadcast stations.   

To watch your favorite shows on TV without cable or Internet, mirror offline content from your phone through Chromecast. Cast your device’s Android screen through the Google Home App. Tap Cast Screen on the Menu, and select the name of your Chromecast to start playing a video.  

Before we move on to the best options to watch television shows without cable or the Internet, let us discuss what you need. 

Watching TV Without Cable and Internet

You don’t need cable or the Internet to watch your favorite television shows.

You can always get an HDTV antenna to tune into local channels. You can get an indoor or outdoor antenna.

1. Over Air Channels

With only your TV and digital antenna, you can enjoy basic cable channels. Depending on your location, your antenna can pick up television signals and transmit them into your ATSC tuner.  

2. DVRs

If you want to ditch your cable and Internet bills altogether, recording devices like TiVo and Channel Master are excellent choices. You can also get iView for basic tuner capabilities if you’re budget-conscious. 

3. Blu-Rays and DVDs

You can also watch media without an Internet connection through Blu-Rays and DVDs. All you’ll need is your TV, but you can also hook up some speakers to elevate the experience.

4. Mirroring From Your Phone

Mirroring or screen casting from another device lets you watch your favorite videos without cable or the Internet. A streaming device like Chromecast makes this possible.

These are some ways you can stream shows and films if you have no cable or Internet. Let’s now proceed with the steps.

Best Options How to Watch TV Without Cable Or Internet

watch tv without cable or internet

There are many ways to watch TV without a cable or Internet service. We listed below the best options. Our non-techy guide only requires an antenna, streaming device, and your phone.

Let’s dive into each one of them.

Option #1: Get an HDTV Antenna

The easiest way to watch your favorite TV shows without cable or Internet is to purchase an HDTV antenna. But, make sure your TV has an ATSC tuner.

The signals that your antenna can pick up rely on your location. So before you head out to purchase one, check the channels you can access.

get hdtv antenna

Here’s how to hook up an HD antenna to get free TV:

  1. Connect one end of your coaxial cable to the antenna.
  2. Connect the other end to the amplifier.
  3. Connect the amplifier to the TV box.
  4. Scan for channels.
  5. If you cannot see available channels, try moving your antenna.
Note: Outdoor antennas are best for getting the channels. The higher you place them, the better. And, you want them facing the towers.

Option #2: Record Shows with a DVR

Digital Video Recorders are an excellent option if you want to cut your cable bills. You don’t even need a smart TV.

The streaming device can record your favorite shows, sporting events, and TV series so that you can watch them at your convenience.

Here’s how to record TV shows with a DVR.

Record a show currently playing:

  1. Press the Record button on your remote.
  2. The show will start recording from the point you started watching.
  3. Press Stop to end the recording.

Record a show airing later:

  1. Press Guide to see the TV listing.
  2. Use the arrows to find the channel.
  3. Scroll to the right to find the next shows.
  4. Select the show you want and press Record.
Note: DVRs can have a monthly fee associated with their use.

Option #3: Watch Movies on Blu-ray or DVD

watch on dvd

Another way to watch shows without cable or Internet is through Blu-Ray or DVD. DVD is a standard-definition device, while Blu-Ray is made for HD.

Here’s how to stream TV series and movies with these devices.

DVD:

  1. Connect your TV to your DVD Player.
  2. Plug the included cables into the player and TV ports.
  3. Plug in your TV and DVD player into a working power outlet.
  4. Turn them ON.
  5. Insert a DVD to test it out.

Blu-Ray:

  1. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the back of your Blu-Ray player.
  2. Insert the other end to the TV port.
  3. Turn ON the Blu-Ray player and your TV.
  4. Choose the Input that corresponds to your TV port.
  5. Insert a Blu-ray disc to see if successfully set up.

Recommendation: We recommend using Blu-Rays due to their larger storage capacity, better image resolution, audio quality, and laser technology.

Note: Blu-rays can simply read information more closely and precisely compared to their DVD counterpart.

Option #4: Mirror Offline Content on Your Phone with Chromecast

If you don’t own a Blu-Ray or DVD player, you can use your own phone to mirror content to your TV. Android screen mirroring should work on devices running Android 4.4.2 or higher.

mirror using chromecast

You don’t even need to get data since you can take advantage of free WiFi around you.

Here’s a foolproof way to start casting:

  1. Open the Google Home app and tap the menu button on the upper left.
  2. Tap Cast screen/audio.
  3. Select your Chromecast from the list of devices.
  4. To stop casting, tap Disconnect on the menu.

Tip: Simply swipe down the notification shade to open the Quick Settings menu. Tap the Cast button and select your device.

Note: Rotate your phone into landscape mode when watching a video to make sure it will occupy the full screen of your TV.

Option #5: Use Free Public WiFi to Download Content

If you don’t have Internet, you can use free public WiFi to download content to your phone and stream it later with Chromecast.

There are a lot of free apps like YouTube and others that will allow you to download content that you can watch later.

use public wifi

Here’s how to download content on your Android phone via free public WiFi:

  1. Find a public place with fast WiFi speed.
  2. Connect your device to the Internet. 
  3. Open your video app of choice.
  4. Search for the content you wish to download.
  5. Download it to watch later.
Note: Most public Wi-Fis download content in Kbps rather than Mbps. It may take you a while to download large files.

If you can’t find a free option that works for you, you may want to subscribe to some streaming services. Some allow offline viewing, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.

You may also use other streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and game consoles, like the Xbox.  

Read Next: How to Cancel Sling TV on Amazon?

Bottom Line

Now, you know how to watch TV without cable or internet. All you need is your TV with an antenna, phone, and streaming device.

Use our surefire solutions above to start playing your favorite shows, live sporting events, and TV series without worrying about cable and Internet bills.