Where to watch
Where to Watch the Best TV Shows and the Best Movies
Thanks to the internet and a dizzying array of legal streaming services, it’s now possible to find almost any film, live sporting event, or television series ever made right now. Even better, thanks to the recent explosion of VOD (video on demand) platforms, you don’t have to use a shady torrenting site that might give your device malware to access any of them. Whether you’re hoping to binge Oscar nominees for Best Picture or Best Documentary, or you’re in the mood for a classic Emmy-winning game show, safe and legal streaming services abound.
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What to Watch Your Favorite Shows On
Any device that can connect to the internet—and any device that has a robust cellular data plan—can be used to access almost any streaming service. What does that mean? It means many common communication and entertainment devices and appliances can be used to stream, including:
Look out for these devices!
This may look legitimate, but it is actually an illegal streaming box.
You plug it into your TV, monitor, or projector and watch shows and movies — but, it’s not what it seems. On top of being illegal, it may also corrupt your TV and wireless network with malware.
How to Find What to Watch
Of course, with so much available it can sometimes be a little tricky to find the exact piece of entertainment you’re looking for. Why? When contracts between streaming platforms and copyright holders expire and aren’t renewed (which happens for a number of reasons), the TV shows and movies that were a part of that contract are removed from the platform and can no longer be accessed there. However, these shows and films then often show up on other streaming platforms.Â
Most Popular Legal and Safe Streaming Services
So which services should you turn to in order to watch your favorite movies and TV shows safely and legally? Here is a list of some of the most popular streaming services available right now:
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is one of the perks Amazon Prime subscribers enjoy, but it can also be subscribed to as a standalone service. In addition to streaming VOD, it also offers rental and purchase options for some titles.
BritBox
BritBox is a subscription streaming service focused on British television, including mysteries, dramas, comedies, documentaries, lifestyle programming, and BritBox Originals. It offers an ad-free catalogue of British series and films that can be watched on the web and through supported streaming apps.
CBC Gem
CBC Gem is a free streaming platform from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that features live TV, local news, and a large library of shows, movies, and documentaries. Viewers can also subscribe to a Premium plan for ad-free viewing and early access to certain programs. It’s available on most devices and celebrates Canadian content and creators.
Citytv+
Citytv+ is a Canadian streaming service that brings together live channels and on-demand programming from brands such as Citytv, Bravo, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, FX, ID, and more. It offers access to popular entertainment, lifestyle, reality, drama, and news programming through its website and app.
Crave
Crave is a Canadian streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, hit TV shows, original series, and exclusive content from networks like HBO, Showtime, and STARZ. It’s a subscription-based platform that caters to both English and French audiences, available for streaming on multiple devices or through participating TV providers.
discovery+
discovery+ is a subscription streaming service for real-life entertainment, with programming from brands such as Discovery, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, ID, Animal Planet, and more. It includes documentaries, lifestyle shows, home and food programming, true crime, adventure series, and discovery+ Originals.
Disney+ (Disney Plus)
Disney’s streaming service provides access to a lot of media that’s hard to find anywhere else. If you’re a fan of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, or Star Wars movies, you can find them all on Disney+.
Global TV
Global TV offers free and legal streaming of recent Global episodes, clips, news, and live programming through GlobalTV.com and the Global TV app. Viewers can also unlock additional live and on-demand content from Global and related channels by signing in with a participating TV provider.Â
illico+
illico+ is a French-language subscription streaming service featuring original Québec productions, popular series, recent movies, documentaries, comedy, reality programming, and more. It is available across Canada through illicoplus.ca and supported apps, with content accessible on multiple devices.
Netflix
Considered the original streaming service, even though it lagged behind China’s iTV and YouTube, Netflix is the most popular paid subscription streaming service available. More than just a streaming service, Netflix also produces original content that can be viewed nowhere else, like Bridgerton and many comedians’ stand-up specials.
Paramount+
Paramount+ is a streaming service from Paramount Global that brings together movies, TV shows, and exclusive originals all in one place. It features content from popular networks like CBS, BET, MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon. Along with its large on-demand library, Paramount+ also offers live sports, local CBS channels, and news coverage — making it a well-rounded option for viewers who want both live and on-demand entertainment.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is an internet television service that is 100% free and legal. Owned by Paramount Streaming, the streaming service offers over 250 channels, including TV shows and movies. Pluto TV is ad-supported. One of its best features is that it offers channels centered on favorite and classic television shows, including a Classic Doctor Who channel, a Survivor channel, a Star Trek channel, a CBS News channel, and a Hell’s Kitchen channel.
RiverTV
RiverTV is a Canadian live and on-demand streaming service that offers over 40 popular channels, including Global, CBC, Home Network, Flavour, and Cartoon Network. It provides a cable-style viewing experience without a contract or set-top box, letting users watch live TV and catch up on shows anytime through its app.
Rogers Xfinity App TV
Rogers App TV lets Rogers Xfinity customers stream live TV and on-demand programming directly from their phone, tablet, or computer — no cable box required. It gives access to a wide selection of channels, including local, news, and specialty options, allowing viewers to enjoy their favorite content wherever they are with an internet connection.
STACKTV
STACKTV is a Canadian subscription streaming package that offers live and on-demand access to popular TV channels from Corus, including Global, W Network, Showcase, Slice, The HISTORY Channel, Adult Swim, Flavour Network, Home Network, National Geographic, Lifetime, YTV, Treehouse, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, and DTOUR.
TVA+
TVA+ is a French-language streaming platform from TVA that offers live TVA programming and thousands of hours of on-demand entertainment. Viewers can watch Québec television, including dramas, comedies, news, variety shows, lifestyle programming, documentaries, and other content through the TVA+ website and app.
This list of legal and safe streaming services is by no means exhaustive, but it gives the savvy streamer a good starting point. Find more details and links to these and other sources in our 100% Free and Legal Streaming Services post. If you’re interested in more comprehensive lists for your favorite shows, sports, and movies, click on the links below. Whatever content you’re looking for, these tools can help you find it, all while being safe and legal.
Take SmartMove’s interactive quiz to find the perfect legitimate streaming service tailored to what you want to watch. It’s a fun and easy way to find piracy-free options!
Reelgood is the most extensive streaming guide in the US and UK, with every TV show and movie available online. Browse through every TV series and movie and sort by title, release year, genre, IMDB rating, and, most important— see where to watch it. Then play with a single click or tap.
TV Time is a global community of TV and movie fans tracking what they’re watching, reacting with others and sharing the moments that move them.
Missing live TV? MyBundle.TV makes it easy to find the safe and legal Live TV streaming service right for you with the Find My Bundle tool. Take a browse through the Streaming Marketplace of over 160 streaming services to find a new service, search for TV Shows or Movies to see where they are available to stream, and even create a free profile to save your apps and browse across them to find your next favorite show to binge!