Can you watch cable TV channels online for free?

Many cable providers allow their customers to view live TV on their websites or through an app at no additional cost. Some individual networks, such as ABC or ESPN, offer the ability to watch the network live.

Comcast's Xfinity TV and AT&T's U-Verse are two examples of cable providers offering this type of service. Some networks allow cable providers to stream the channel online; not all networks are available to watch through online service, however. Among the cable TV networks available for viewing via Xfinity are the Weather Channel, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and BBC World News. Xfinity TV and U-Verse provide legal streaming at no additional cost with subscription to the appropriate cable provider.