How to watch live TV on your computer

As television shows become available online, audiences are no longer watching their favorites on a set schedule. But if you choose to cut the cord entirely, you'll miss out on live TV, such as news and sports. Luckily, you can still view live television on your computer. You have two options: Plug a TV tuner device, which catches broadcasts like an antenna does, into a USB port, or stream shows through your web browser.

Plug in a TV tuner

Network channels, including NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, PBS, and local stations, air for free. All you need to watch them is an antenna to catch the broadcasts and a device to share them with your computer. The latter, called a TV tuner, can come in the form of a dongle or a larger box that plugs into any spare USB port.

Tuners come with bundled software that helps you navigate. When you're getting started, these built-in applications will install the necessary drivers, scan for available channels, and display them on your laptop screen. Then you can click through your options.

Once you've finished installation, the bundled software also helps you receive channels, browse through program guides, and make recordings. However, you can also download alternative applications, such as Kodi and Plex, to do the same tasks. Kodi is free but has a slightly more complicated setup, while Plex has a simpler process but requires a Plex Pass subscription that costs $5 per month or $40 per year.

Buying a tuner

When you go shopping for tuner hardware, first look for compatibility with your computer's operating system, Windows or macOS. Also consider whether the device includes extras like a bundled remote control. If you choose a model that comes with two or more integrated tuners, you'll be able to record one channel while watching another, record two shows at once, or create a picture-in-picture effect with two channels.

We'd recommend the Hauppauge WinTV-DualHD ($65 on Amazon), though it only works with Windows machines. It includes two tuners, which lets you view or record two shows at once. Once you plug it into a spare USB port, the supplied software will take over, which makes the setup process extremely easy.

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