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.
