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These Free TV Apps Will Let You Cut Cable but Keep Content
As cable subscription prices rise higher and higher and customer satisfaction ratings dive lower and lower, cutting the cable has never been more popular.
Sure, there are the usual big names in streaming services available for a monthly fee, but itâs possible to kick subscription fees entirely.
Luckily, there are more options than ever for replacing your traditional cable setup. Many free streaming services have stepped up to offer access to content overlooked by subscription-based services.
And you arenât confined to squinting at your phoneâs screen or gathering the family around the old iPad to watch your favorite TV series and movies â you can download apps to your Smart TV or even your Xbox or PlayStation consoles.
Of course, there are some rather shady options out there that stream pirated content. But weâve rounded up free, legal streaming apps that provide no-strings-attached cable-cutting solutions.
12 Free TV Apps That Will Help You Cut Cable
With so many free streaming options out there, itâs easier than ever to cut the cord and save big. Whether youâre looking to keep up with the news, find a good movie for date night or entertain your kids with educational content, a streaming service exists to ensure you can do so without paying a dime.
Try these free TV apps out and see which works best for you.
1. Crackle
One of the go-to names not just in free streaming but in streaming video in general is Crackle. The cost-free service has a variety of content, ranging from classic TV shows like âBewitchedâ and âBarney Miller,â as well as the newer âSnatchâ series. It also has hundreds of films from major studios.
For a free streaming service, Crackleâs library is truly impressive. Crackle even has a handful of original series to its name. Best of all, Crackle works on nearly all mobile devices, streaming boxes and smart TVs.
2. Tubi TV
A division of FOX Entertainment, Tubi TV has deals with major studios like Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Lionsgate. It also features lots of foreign and independent productions.
Tubi TVâs library is updated regularly, and the service claims to add new content every week. The Tubi TV app works on more than 25 devices, including Android and iOS, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox, Samsung Smart TVs and Amazon Fire TV.
The library is solid and has started offering popular Fox TV series like âThe Masked Singerâ and âGordon Ramsayâs 24 Hours to Hell and Back.â
Since the service is ad-supported, you can expect to watch a couple minutes of ads every 10 minutes or so. The experience is pretty similar to watching normal television.
3. Pluto TV
Pluto TV offers TV channels of linear content much like a cable package
There are dozens of classic TV, movie and sports channels â and even some highly curated streams of niche content.
If youâre looking for breaking news, you can choose from an assortment of major network news channels that are live streaming.
The kids (or kids at heart) can check out Nickelodeon classics like âThe Fairly Odd Parentsâ and âDora the Explorer.â
Got a library card? You have access to even more entertainment options (besides the obvious, books). Check out these library apps for free access to movies, TV shows and more.
Or if you just want to veg out, switch over to their Binge menu for a seemingly endless stream of TV series, like âThe Hillsâ and âMystery Science Theater 3000.â
Pluto TV boasts a large list of supported devices including iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TVand Chromecast devices and Android TV.
Like Tubi TV, Pluto TV has advertisements similar to the ad load of normal TV.
4. NewsON
Streaming video isnât always just about entertainment. The NewsON app provides hundreds of local and national news streams.
Both live TV and on-demand news broadcasts can be streamed from over 275 local news affiliates in 160 markets. The broadcasts are available for up to 48 hours after they air, so even if you donât catch the news as it happens, you can catch up later.
Users can then select which news segments they want to watch from categories like sports, weather or entertainment. NewsON is compatible with iOS and Android phones and tablets, as well as Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
5. Funny Or Die
The go-to streaming app for comedy programming is Funny or Die. Founded in 2007 by contemporary comedy giants Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, it has since grown to be a full-blown production house featuring original content from big names in show business.
In 2018, the Funny Or Die began publishing on Vox Mediaâs Chorus and now uses the YouTube Player.
Content on the app must be streamed and cannot be downloaded.
6. PBS Kids
Kids need free streaming content, too. PBS has a PBS Kids Video app that provides hundreds of hours of educational and enriching content for the youngest members of the family. The app has a colorful, child-friendly interface, which makes it easy for kids to take control themselves.
You can even tap the âLive TVâ button to watch whatâs currently airing on your local PBS station.
Almost all of the networks and cable TV channels have their own free apps for you to download â although many charge you to actually watch current content.
Videos from many of PBSâs most popular series are available for streaming including âCurious George,â âWild Krattsâ and âSesame Street.â The PBS Kids app is supported for Android, Windows and iOS phones and tablets.
7. Xumo
Whether you want it now or later, Xumo offers live TV and on-demand options.
Like Pluto, you can choose from an assortment of major network news channels that are live streaming.
But it also includes more than 160 free channels, including themed ones in case youâre in the mood for action movies or comedies â you can watch the Funny Or Die channel here, too.
Xumo is available on most smart TVs and Roku and for download on iOS and Android devices.
Many of the free TV apps offer âpremiumâ channels â if you see that word, expect to pay for those services.
8. Crunchyroll
Anime and manga fans are likely already familiar with Crunchyroll. It specializes in mostly Japanese content, but it also features films and series from all over the world. Crunchyroll boasts a library of thousands of anime films and series, many of which are hard to find on other streaming services.
There is a paid premium feature, but the free Crunchyroll service has thousands of hours of popular series like the âDragon Ballâ franchise, âAttack on Titan,â âNarutoâ and âOne Piece.â
The Crunchyroll app is supported by Apple, Android and Windows mobile devices, as well as by gaming consoles, Chromecast, Apple TV and Roku.
Crunchyroll is a great app for anyone with an interest in anime. Of course, when it comes to anime content, you have to be watchful with your younger children, as a lot of it is geared toward teens (and sometimes even adults).
9. Twitch
For anyone with even a passing interest in gaming and esports, Twitch is the go-to free streaming service.
Twitch hosts user-created channels and streams focused on video games and other esports. It features a built-in chat feature, so users can chat with other streamers in real time.
Youâre there anyway â why not get paid to play video games? Here are four simple ways to start earning real cash for virtual play.
While there are thousands of free streams, Twitch also features premium features for a monthly subscription. Twitch apps are compatible with PCs, iOS and Android devices, game consoles, Chromecast and Fire TV.
While Twitch is popular with children, parents should beware: Twitch streams are somewhat unregulated and can sometimes contain adult language or content.
10. IMDb TV
Owned by Amazon, IMDb TV (formerly Freedive) features a host of full episodes of your favorite current and classic TV shows as well as an array of movies.
The catalogue includes some binge-worthy sci-fi hits like âLostâ and âFringe.â
The free version of IMDbTV is ad-supported, so youâll have to sit through a few commercial breaks.
It is available in the United States on the IMDb app, the IMDb website, the Amazon Prime Video app and Amazon Fire TV devices.
11. YouTube
Yes, YouTube. YouTube apps are compatible with just about every device that has a screen, and the service features videos to choose from on nearly any topic imaginable.
Most of those videos are not exactly premium content, but there are still plenty of full-length films, documentary series and curated channels that provide cost-free entertainment for the whole family.
While there are ways to download YouTube content for offline viewing, proceed with caution: Many of these sites and apps are full of malware.
12. Peacock
NBCUniversal launched this streaming service, which includes over 7,500 hours of free content, in July 2020.
Although Peacock offers paid premium options, the free version includes current and classic TV shows, movies, news, sports, kidsâ shows, Spanish-language programs and even select episodes of Peacock originals.
If youâre a fan of shows like âThe Office,â âLaw and Order: SVU,â or âSaturday Night Live,â you can watch them on this streaming service.
Customers can stream Peacock on a variety of platforms, including LG Smart TVs, Vizio SmartCast TVs, Roku, Google and Apple devices and Playstation and Xbox consoles.
Chris Brantner is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder. Senior writer Nicole Dow contributed to this article.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
Source: thepennyhoarder.com
Average credit card interest rates: Week of January 13, 2021
The average credit card interest rate is 16.05%.
The average minimum credit card APR held firm Wednesday after lenders declined to revise rates on new offers for another week. As a result, borrowers in the market for a new card continued to enjoy starting APRs that are more than a full point lower on average than they were a year ago.
Cardholders with excellent credit are enjoying some of the sharpest rate savings this year. For example, lenders have clipped APRs on some of the most popular rewards cards by at least a point and a half in the past year. For example, the Discover it® Cash Back card currently starts APRs at 11.99%, which is well below the minimum APR most low rates advertise. A year ago, by contrast, it advertised a minimum APR of 13.49%.
Some of the most striking rate decreases have occurred on travel cards, which had surged to record high rates in 2019. For example:
- In January 2020, the Chase Sapphire Reserve charged an 18.49% minimum APR. Today, it starts APRs at 16.99%.
- Similarly, APRs on the Citi Premier® Card currently start at 15.99%. A year ago, the lowest APR cardholders could get was 17.49%.
- The lowest rate Hilton enthusiasts could get on the Hilton Honors American Express Card last winter was 17.24%. Today, the cardâs APR starts at 15.74%
As a result, the average rewards card APR has tumbled from 17.11% in the second week of 2020 to 15.76% today, while the average airline card APR has fallen from 16.9% to 15.53%.
As the end to the coronavirus pandemic edges closer, lower rate travel cards could become more attractive to cardholders who are dreaming of a post-pandemic vacation.
Even low interest and balance transfer cards are much less expensive nowadays, giving cardholders who need to carry a balance a temporary reprieve.
Last January, for example, the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card and Citi Simplicity® Card both charged a 15.49% APR. Now, borrowers could secure an APR as low as 13.99% on the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum and as low as 14.74% on the City Simplicity. Meanwhile, Bank of America has reintroduced the BankAmericard® credit card after a temporary pause with a minimum APR of 12.99%. A year ago, the best APR cardholders could get was 14.49%.
Most cards received their biggest rate cuts in March and April when the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate, the federal funds rate, by 1.25 percentage points. When federal interest rates change, most lenders also match the changes on new card offers that are tied to the U.S. Prime Rate.
However, a few lenders have cut rates on select cards by an even larger amount. For example, Wells Fargo cut the APR on the Wells Fargo Rewards® card by five and a half percentage points last year, making it one of the lowest rate cards Wells Fargo offers. Cardholders who qualify could get a rewards card APR as low as 12.49%.
Todayâs lower rates wonât last forever, though, since most are due to federal interest rate changes, rather than independent rate strategies.
As soon as the Federal Reserve begins increasing rates, the APRs on all variable rate cards tied to the prime rate will also go up.
It will be a long time, though, before cardholders in good standing will have to worry about higher rates on cards theyâve already opened. The Fed has said it is unlikely to hike rates for at least another year.
See related:Â How do credit card APRs work?
All information about the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card and Citi Simplicity Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. These cards are no longer available through CreditCards.com.
CreditCards.com’s Weekly Rate Report
Avg. APR | Last week | 6 months ago | |
National average | 16.05% | 16.05% | 16.03% |
Low interest | 12.77% | 12.77% | 12.83% |
Cash back | 15.85% | 15.85% | 16.09% |
Balance transfer | 13.85% | 13.85% | 13.93% |
Business | 13.91% | 13.91% | 13.91% |
Student | 16.12% | 16.12% | 16.12% |
Airline | 15.53% | 15.53% | 15.48% |
Rewards | 15.76% | 15.76% | 15.82% |
Instant approval | 18.38% | 18.38% | 18.65% |
Bad credit | 25.30% | 25.30% | 24.43% |
Methodology: The national average credit card APR is comprised of 100 of the most popular credit cards in the country, including cards from dozens of leading U.S. issuers and representing every card category listed above. (Introductory, or teaser, rates are not included in the calculation.) | |||
Source: CreditCards.com | |||
Updated: January 13, 2021 |
Historic interest rates by card type
Some credit cards charge even higher rates, on average. The type of rate you get will depend in part on the category of credit card you own. For example, even the best travel credit cards often charge higher rates than basic, low interest credit cards.
CreditCards.com has been calculating average rates for a wide variety of credit card categories, including student cards, balance transfer cards, cash back cards and more, since 2007.
How to get a low credit card interest rate
Your odds of getting approved for a cardâs lowest rate will increase the more you improve your credit score. Some factors that influence your credit card APR will be out of your control, such as the length of time youâve been handling credit.
However, even if youâre new to credit or are rebuilding your score, there are steps you can take to ensure a lower APR. For example:
- Pay your bills on time. The single most important factor influencing your credit score â and your ability to win a lower rate â is your track record of making on-time payments. Lenders are more likely to trust you with a competitive APR â and other positive terms, such as a big credit limit â if you have a lengthy history of paying your bills on time.
- Keep your balances low. Lenders also want to see that you are responsible with your credit and donât overcharge. As a result, credit scores take into account the amount of credit youâre using, compared to how much credit youâve been given. This is known as your credit utilization ratio. Typically, the lower your ratio, the better. For example, personal finance experts often recommend that you keep your balances well below 30% of your total credit limit.
- Build a lengthy and diverse credit history. Lenders also like to see that youâve been successfully using credit for a long time and have experience with different types of credit, including revolving credit and installment loans. As a result, credit scores, such as the FICO score and VantageScore, factor in the average length of your credit history and the types of loans youâve handled (which is known as your credit mix). To keep your credit history as long as possible, continue to use your oldest credit card so your lender doesnât close it.
- Call your lender. If youâve successfully owned a credit card for a long time, you may be able to convince your lender to lower your interest rate â especially if you have excellent credit. Reach out to your lender and ask if theyâd be willing to negotiate a lower APR.
- Monitor your credit report. Check your credit reports regularly to make sure youâre being accurately scored. The last thing you want is for a mistake or unauthorized account to drag down your credit score. You have the right to check your credit reports from each major credit bureau (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) once per year for free through AnnualCreditReport.com.
Source: creditcards.com
Play this Bubble Shooter Game for Money on Your iPhone
Popping bubbles is fun. Popping lots of bubbles is good stress relief. And shooting tons of bubbles on your iPhone screen â thatâs the best.
A good bubble-shooter game can be a great time-killer. But what if you could play for money? Real money?
Thereâs a free iPhone and iPad app called Bubble Cash that lets you play for money. You can get paid up to $83 per win.
Blasting Bubbles for Money: How to Win up to $83/Game
You might be wondering if thereâs a catch. But thereâs really not. Bubble Cash is free to download and is completely skill-based. And itâs quite popular. It has more than a million downloads from the App Store and more than 12,500 ratings, averaging 4.6 stars (out of 5).
Players have won hundreds of thousands in prize money so far.
The app is free to download and play, although the cash tournaments arenât free. However, there is a regularly scheduled âFreerollâ tournament, where users can compete for cash using only the gems that theyâve earned in the game.
Hereâs an overview of how the game works: In tournaments, you compete against other players within your skill level, who all receive the same layout. Just match three bubbles of the same color, then use your finger to aim and blast them away to clear the board. The top three players in each tournament win real money â anywhere from $1 to $83.
Itâs totally skill-based, so thereâs no luck involved.
What You Need to Know Before You Start Playing
The game is pretty simple and straightforward â youâll pick it up quickly â but weâll give you some tips:
After downloading the app, youâll start playing free games. Once you collect 120 âgems,â you can start competing in the âFreerollâ tournament, where you can win real cash.
You can speed up the process by depositing small amounts of money to compete for larger winnings â and you get extra bonus cash for each deposit. But thatâs totally optional.
If you win a tournament, you can cash out through PayPal or Apple Pay.
Bubble Cash also has raffles, where players can win bonus cash and gift cards on top of their regular winnings.
Oh, and we almost forgot the best part: This app doesnât have any annoying ads, so you donât have to worry about your games getting interrupted.
To get started, just download the free app and start playing your first game immediately.
Cash tournaments arenât available in the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland and South Carolina.
Mike Brassfield (mike@thepennyhoarder.com) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
Source: thepennyhoarder.com