Get TV Abroad

NOTE 13 March 2011 – If you are having ANY problems running with US TV abroad please get in contact with me as there are some beta updates to Identity Cloaker which will help make watching US TV Abroad easier.

The US is perhaps the home of TV, with more channels than you could possibly ever watch!

If you want to watch absolutely everything from the US you are going to need to signup with a Slingbox hosting service, like A2BTV, as you will get all 250+ channels from their Cable supplier streamed in HD over a highspeed dedicated connection.

However if you don't want every single channel available, or want a much cheaper option (a good 10x cheaper!)  then there are a number of services in the US which you can access with Identity Cloaker for less than 7 Euros a month (around $10). It is exactly the same software that allows viewing Canadian, French, German and UK TV, unlike other services which charge extra for each country you want to view Identity Cloaker has one flat rate price that covers them all. So lets compare the strengths and weaknesses of each online US TV service and make the best investment for your interests.

Hulu has been advertised as the new way to watch TV since it was founded by Fox and NBC.  Hulu was originally created to compete with YouTube and once it hit the Internet developers realized it was something different all together.  This venue offers all of the best TV shows airing on Fox and NBC and even the newest episodes are posted online for all viewers to watch.  Hulu allows members to watch no just TV shows but also movies.  When I first signed on for Hulu I thought it seemed too good to be true.  I can watch my favorite television commercials, popular video clips, and even movies without even paying a membership fee.  

Hulu has a lot of advantages.  You can browse through the whole catalog without even being a member to see if they have categories you would enjoy.  In addition to this, you can join the basic Hulu membership free of cost.  The TV can be streamed to your television with the right equipment for excellent viewing.  You should expect some advertisements to pop up when you are watching videos.  While they may be frustrating, I was more than willing to deal with the advertisements in turn for free online US TV!  Who could ask more from a free service.  
 

Here is a quick demonstration of Hulu playing in Australia:

Hulu also offers a Hulu Plus package that eliminates commercials and advertisements.  The plus membership does cost $7.99 per month but offers an array of features members love.  I particularly like the feature that I can watch my favorite full current season of aired television shows instantly in HD.  While it does cost $7.99 a month the price is much lower than cable television with all of the benefits.  You can also connect with multiple devices including your iPhone, iPad, and gaming consoles. 

Netflix is steadily gaining ground as one of the most popular online movie and TV services in the industry.  After receiving numerous offers to sign up for a free trial membership I decided to sign up and see what all the craze was about.  I have to say that Netflix is one of my favorites because it gives me the best of both worlds.  I can watch instant streamed videos with the watch instantly feature or order movies for delivery within 2 days.  While not every movie is available for instant viewing there is a long list to choose from if you are waiting for your DVD to arrive. 

One of the main benefits of Netflix is that members have access to watch instantly no matter what level they sign up for.  Memberships range in price depending on how many movies you have out at one time.  Shipping and return postage is already paid for and Netflix has an intelligent tracking system that will notify you of shipping and receipt of returned movies.  Netflix also offers a hardware system that can be connected to your television for access to TV shows and movies directly on your television.  I must say this is one of my favorite online TV services on the Internet.

Amazon Prime offers several different benefits for consumers regularly using Amazon.com to purchase products, though some of these will not be of much use to those of you outside the US.  While one of the main benefits of the Amazon Prime program is the fact that members get faster shipping for free no matter how many times they buy, there are additional benefits many are unaware of.  When I initially signed up for Amazon Prime, I enjoyed the benefits of free 2-Day shipping and overnight shipping for only $3.99 in emergency situations while I have been within the US. 

One of the additional benefits offered by the prime membership is the instant video feature.  This feature gives members the tools they need to watch unlimited, commercial-free videos at no additional cost.  At first, I thought they would not have any good movies to choose from.  When I browsed through the 5000 movies and TV Shows I was shocked.  Excellent movies and popular TV shows without commercial.  One of the setbacks is you are required to pay $79 annually to take advantage of the Prime membership benefits.  If you do not regularly shop on Amazon, you may be better off choosing a different online US TV service.  If you want to see what all the hype is about consider signing up for a free trial membership for a month.
 

Fancast is the last online US TV service to make the list.  Recognized as the top entertainment site dedicated to strictly television this service gives loyal fans access to video collections and movie trailers free of charge.  With TV listings and Play Now features loyal fans can watch their favorite shows without paying a dime.  I love browsing the collections and catching up with my shows when I have free time as will you. Fancast does have a smaller range of programs compared with some of the other US online TV networks, but it's important to not overlook it.

These days if you are an American expat local TV is not the be all and end all, and you do have a choice. These online TV service providers give you a choice to access to the best movies and television shows at a very affordable price.  You do not have to compromise your entertainment on a limited budget.  Choose the best online US TV service for you and fire up Identity Cloaker so you can watch US TV abroad, no matter where you are!