Night falls and you settle in, you realize something’s missing – your favorite shows and movies! There are plenty of ways for RVers like yourself to access free streaming options without paying for cable. Keep reading and I’ll go over the best apps, websites and channels to keep you entertained, no subscription required.
And let me tell you, as someone who’s been RVing for the past 15 years, this stuff has been an absolute game-changer! Back in the day, nighttime in the RV basically meant reading a book or staring at the walls. But now with these streaming services, it really feels like I have a mini movie theater!
The key is knowing where to look. At first it can be super confusing trying to navigate all the options out there. When I first started out, I found myself wasting hours searching just to come up empty-handed. But over time, through lots of trial and error, I’ve discovered the best platforms that offer a quality selection of free movies, TV shows, news – you name it.
Pluto TV
If you’re looking for an easy way to stream hits from major networks like NBC, MTV and Comedy Central without a cable subscription, Pluto TV is a great bet.
Pluto offers over 250 live TV channels spanning all kinds of genres like movies, entertainment, news, sports, and more. They also have thousands of on-demand titles available. It kinda feels like you’re channel surfing regular cable, but completely free!
Some of my favorite Pluto channels are Pluto TV Movies, which airs everything from black and white classics to romantic comedies, and Pluto TV Comedy, which plays hilarious stand-up specials 24/7. It’s awesome to just turn on and have funny background noise as I’m puttering around the RV.
And when I’m in the mood for something specific, I’ll browse their on-demand section to find whatever suits my fancy, from gritty action flicks to cheesy B horror movies. As a major scary movie buff, I love stumbling upon forgotten gems in their Horror 24/7 category.
The only catch is it’s ad-supported, so you do have to sit through some commercials. But in my opinion, it’s worth it for unlimited access to such great entertainment. Plus, the ads are relatively short and don’t interrupt at crazy moments like some services I’ve tried.
Tubi
Offering over 20,000 movies and TV shows totally free, Tubi is another ad-supported streaming platform that’s fantastic for RVers. And they actually have a surprising amount of recent hit movies to choose from in addition to older classics. Whenever I have a hankering for something I can just search and find gems like Minari, La La Land, and Mad Max: Fury Road.
Tubi’s library comes from over 250 content partners, including major studios like Paramount and Lionsgate, which is how they nab so many newer films. They also have a bunch of original content like cult favorite The Freak Brothers.
I’ll admit the ads on Tubi can be a bit excessive at times, but I just try to think of it as a fair tradeoff. Pro tip: you can fast forward through the commercials, so take advantage of that when you start seeing the same ones over and over!
Beyond the huge on-demand selection, Tubi also offers some great genre-based channels to simply throw on in the background like Tubi Kids, Tubi Comedies and Tubi Action. It’s kinda like regular cable but again, completely free!
Freevee
Formerly known as IMDb TV, Freevee is Amazon’s free, ad-supported streaming service. And with popular licensed shows like Downton Abbey, The Mindy Project and Chicago Fire, it’s been a game-changer for me.
Freevee also creates some really solid original content like the Bosch spinoff Bosch: Legacy and the hilarious party prep show Celebrity Beef.
In addition to on-demand titles, Freevee offers around 100 channels of live TV. The Freevee news channel is my go-to for keeping up on current events on the road. And I love their classic TV channels where I can get my fix of nostalgic sitcoms and dramas from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
One super unique Freevee channel is the James Bond channel, which airs 007 flicks 24/7. It’s awesome to have access to such iconic movies without paying a dime. I’ll often throw it on in the background just to feel immersed in the world of Bond, Campari in hand, while planning my next RV trip.
While Freevee airs more ads than premium platforms, I don’t find them too bothersome, especially in return for so many viewing options.
Crackle
Crackle is Sony Pictures Entertainment’s free, ad-supported streaming platform, and has been a must for me during 10+ years on the road. Their movie selection is especially impressive, with popular titles like _Spiderman, The Da Vinci Code, _and Alien just to name a few.
Original programming like the Emmy-nominated Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee starring Jerry Seinfeld is another draw. And Crackle is even starting to release original films like 2019’s aptly named indie road trip movie Novel Romance.
In addition to on-demand, Crackle offers live linear channels like Classic TV with retro hits and Throwback Toys featuring old toy commercials that hit me right in the nostalgia!
The ads are there but less interruptive than other free services. And Crackle is available on pretty much any device imaginable which is super convenient for watching on the go.
Hoopla and Kanopy
Here’s a little trick for you library lovers out there – streaming movies and TV through your local library system completely free! Apps like Hoopla and Kanopy allow you to access thousands of titles with nothing more than a library card.
I’ll browse Hoopla for popular movies I’ve been wanting to see like Nomadland and tick…tick…BOOM! Then revel in the fact I didn’t have to spend a dime. Through Hoopla you can also access ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more.
Meanwhile, Kanopy offers acclaimed films and documentaries I’d otherwise have to pay to rent. We’re talking award-winning selections from A24, Paramount, HBO and more. As a documentary buff, I’ve watched countless fascinating films on Kanopy over the years.
The selection varies by your library but most decent sized systems offer a robust digital collection. Just search Hoopla and Kanopy and see if your library participates. Then enjoy hours of free entertainment!
Peacock
This popular NBCUniversal streaming platform features current shows, timeless sitcoms and blockbuster movies like Jurassic World, The Bourne Legacy and Minions.
Their free tier has about 40,000 hours of movies, shows, news, and sports. Highlights are next-day streaming of current NBC and Bravo hits like The Voice, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Real Housewives and more.
Another thing that sets Peacock apart is their live channels like NBC News Now, Sky News, Today All Day and NBC classics. There’s also curated pop-up channels if you want a certain theme like The Office or SNL characters.
Being able to keep up with NBC News and shows like the TODAY show has been really clutch for me on the road. It’s a small thing that makes my nomadic lifestyle feel a little more normal.
Peacock’s free version has ads just like most services. But the plus side is you can access a ton of programming at no cost. And their premium package is pretty affordable if you do decide you want to upgrade.
Redbox Free Live TV
Yep, the company known for those red movie rental kiosks now offers an impressive free streaming service!
Redbox includes live channels with a big focus on movies – everything from rom coms, to action thrillers, to horror flicks. So it’s easy to just throw on Redbox and have something on in the background as you cook dinner or wind down the night.
Speaking of winding down, they also have free on-demand titles and you can rent newer movies as well. Redbox has titles from Showtime, Starz, and EPIX to name a few.
I’ll admit I don’t use this one quite as often as others, but it can be a great option for movie lovers craving variety. And when you’re RVing full-time, variety is the spice of life!
The Roku Channel
One free streaming option I use nearly every night is The Roku Channel, available on Roku devices (surprise, surprise).
They offer around 200 free live channels – everything from entertainment and movies to sports, kids, lifestyle and more. The Roku Channel really has something for everyone. Plus tons of free on-demand shows and movies to choose from whenever you want to watch something specific.
Some of my personal favorite Roku channels are Now This News – perfect for a quick headlines update, Animals – endless cute animal content, Comedy Dynamics – for when I need a laugh, and Roku’s Classic Film and TV Channels – to get my nostalgia fix.
The Roku Channel easily rivals paid streaming services with its robust library. And while it does have advertising, I maybe only see the same ad 2-3 times max versus getting bombarded.
Sling Freestream
Sling TV, the popular paid live streaming service, also offers a 100% free option called Sling Freestream. And it has seriously saved me from boredom in the RV many a night.
Freestream provides around 50 channels with a mix of both live and on-demand shows and movies. Some of the network highlights are AMC, A&E, Comedy Central, History, Lifetime and more. So you have access to many popular cable channels that typically require a subscription.
There’s also a solid selection of movies from various genres to choose from. I love browsing their on-demand offerings when I’m looking for a specific title to watch. Just yesterday I fired up an old favorite, Dumb and Dumber to get my laugh on.
And while ads are part of the deal, I’ve found Freestream to have less frequent commercial breaks than some competitors. Overall, it’s an awesome free streaming option with impressive variety.
NewsOn
This free streaming platform from NewsOn provides live local news from over 275 stations across the U.S. It’s been an absolute essential for me as an RVer to stay up-to-date on what’s happening back home and wherever my travels take me.
NewsOn has affiliates in all major regions – Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Northwest. So no matter where your routes take you, you can easily stream local news stations.
The coverage varies from area to area but offers a mix of CBS, FOX, NBC affiliates and independent broadcasters. I start most mornings off cruising through NewsOn to get a quick headlines overview and check the weather.
And if any big local stories are developing, I can turn to NewsOn to get live continuous coverage. It really makes me feel connected as a nomad without a true hometown!
Enjoy the Open Road, Not Just Four Walls
The vibrant RV life is all about freedom. And having unlimited access to movies, shows, news and more only expands that open, footloose feeling.
While paid services have their perks, there are also so many incredible free streaming platforms available in 2022. Variety is truly the spice of life. And mixing up your streaming selection, versus relying on just one or two, will ensure the entertainment never gets stale.
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