FreeTube

I discovered an intriguing website this week that purports to let you "watch TV online for free without the need for any special software, hardware or subscription service".  Called FreeTube, it describes itself as "a completely free alternative to cable television that lets you watch tv channels and tv shows online using just your browser".  They have a long list of channels that you can watch online, including:

• news channels like Al Jazeera, Court TV and Sky News;
• business channels like Bloomberg, and TV Shop Canada;
• educational channels like Animal Planet and Police Channel;
• entertainment channels like Arena TV, Cartoon Network and Food Network;
• religious channels like BYU TV, Kabbalah Center and Shine TV;
• music channels like MTV Uber, Rock Me TV and Sony Music TV;
• sport channels like ESPN, Golf Channel and Sky Sports News;
• fashion channels like FTV;
• webcams;
• movie channels like Comedy Free and Movies Extra TV; and
• adult channels like Naked News and Stripper TV.

So although they don't really have too many big name channels, it is an easy and useful way to be able to watch cable TV without paying for it.  However, while it is not clear from the site itself, it is safe to assume that they stream these channels without the permission of the copyright owner.  Even though neither FreeTube, nor the end-user, actually reproduce the channel - that is, no copy is made as the TV is live streamed - FreeTube would be liable for infringement of copyright (assuming they do not have the permission of the copyright owners) as they have communicated the channel to the public.

In any event, I'd be interesting in hearing from anyone who knows more about FreeTube's business model or has opinion on the copyright issues arising from the site.

Comments

[zzpop]

There are many similar sites, althrough I prefer using Streamick (streamick.com) which seems to have more channel and most of all dosen't crash my firefox browser..

[space22zone]

HI film producers

[Slinky]

Great site been using it for a few months now! There are many tv sites out there but this is by far the best one. Zzpop that site isn't very good for me, I don't know why but it seems to ad stuffed can't find my way through it and most don't work on streamick.

FreeTube is find for me, any relation to YouTube btw?

[car transport, auto transport Express Auto Shipper]

car transport, auto transport, auto moving, car moving, car shipping

[Mahesh BG]

http://konkan.tv/live/ is another site that allows you to watch south asian tv stations online (MINUS the AJAX)

[Mahesh BG]

http://konkan.tv/live/ is another site that allows you to watch south asian tv stations online (MINUS the AJAX)

[lee david collyer]

IWAS DIRECTED TO FREE TUBE AND I PAID FOR THE SERVICE WITH A CREDIT CARD YESTERDAY>IF THERE IS ANY WAY YOU CAN HELP ????THANK YOU LEE COLLYER

[Glonar]

FreeTube is great it's what I use. I used to use streamick but then it became bad and nothing worked and the ads were switched to popups that sometimes crashed my browser or even worse installed a few toolbars.

I prefer this one instead it works for real.

[Jas]

Streamick still works fine to me (no ads or popups), has faster loading times and it's updated more often.. plus freetube crashes my firefox :)

[chuck]

freetube tries to install bubbel virus on your computer avoid this thing like the plague

[me again]

wanted to be sure it would post my comments - freetube remembers your ip address and then later tries to install the BUBBEL virus , which records your keystrokes such as when u log onto your bank account - I know this cause I have verison security suite which is a pretty mean protection package - AVOIDE FREETUBE LIKE IT IS THE KISS OF DEATH - I AM TRYING TO GET IT REMOVED FROM THE INTERNET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[doud]

I uesd to run a streaming website of my own and freetube hot linked to all my channels They are a spaming ripoff site that is full of keystroke viruses and ALL there channels are copyright infringements Yhey should be SHUT DOWN!

[cgross]

I just found info. about FreeTube and was considering it. Thought I would do a little research about it. I've read enough right here to know that my initial suspicions were probably on track.
Thanks!!

[Lemijinx]

freetube is good. been using it now for a few months since using it. a load of you guys are idiots, there's no virus or spyware there. I just looked at the source now and there's nothing remotely weird in there unless you think Google adsense is spyware then 90% of the net is spyware idiots.

doud i visited the site in your link it's full of ads somehow you sound like your bsing. freetube is clean and I think you're just jealous.

[Marty]

Here's another good site to watch free tv online.
http://tvweb360.com/

[Bibblezee]

Its a very good site I use it all the time. no such thing as bubbel virus on google so ur a liar. probably some loser trying to advertise his own site.

[Megao]

ja good site usingit for years.

[Richard Sakai]

Been using this for many a year and thought I'd chime in. Freetube is really good value. Its free but there are people trying to lie and sell it for money - they just link you to the site and try to charge you $20+ for it.

Don't trust these people who ask you to pay because freetube offers it for free and they've done a damn good job been using it now for like 4 years.