OK, am I the last person in the world to know about this? Did you guys know you can watch full length episodes of current TV shows online at the network’s websites? I got this tip from the Frugal Duchess, Sharon, who has been talking about that new show “Ugly Betty“.
Sometimes I hear about a show that looks interesting-like Heroes for instance, but I am reluctant to start watching, because I tend to get somewhat addicted and start rearranging my life to suit my TV schedule. So as an adult I have found that I am much more productive if I just pretty much ignore the TV all together. I prefer not to have myself tied to watching something at a particular time, and read instead. A book is always there when you are ready for it 🙂 I have done this so well that when a show comes along that I actually want to watch, like the new Dr. Who series, I am so unused to watching TV that I constantly forget what day it is on and miss half the season. Thank God for Netflix!
But now, streaming video online. I can miss a few episodes, not even have to remember to tape or burn a DVD, and catch up on it at my leisure. . . . The personal entertainment implications are mind boggling. I’m sure, that for those truly technologically advanced there are even ways to watch these puppies on your cellphone or something so you can catch up while waiting at the doctors office or something.
I just had to check this out. So what do you know, I went to abc.com, and they have full length episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Lost, Brothers and Sisters, What About Brian, The Knights of Prosperity, and Men in Trees. Ugly Betty has all the way back to the pilot episode, Grey’s Anatomy has the last 4 episodes (I didn’t check out all of them, just clicked a few).
Darn it, now I will have to waste some time in the next few weeks checking out “Ugly Betty” (who wouldn’t love a show about a non beauty in the world of beautiful fashion people, who is a nice person and a frugalite to boot!)
ABC Family also has full length episodes, it appears to be two or three at a time (click up or down on the picture), for Lincoln Heights, Wildfire, Falcon Beach & Fallen.
Well, this got me thinking. I’ve recently become addicted to Veronica Mars (an excellent show, well written. I think I’ve regressed) and have been watching the entire first season on Netflix. The third season is currently airing on TV. Well I looked it up on line, and wouldn’t you know, the last four episodes of that are available online as well at CWTV.com, along with their lineup of Beauty and the Geek, Supernatural, One Tree Hill, Everybody Hates Chris, Girlfriends and All of US.
CBS.com has full episodes of CSI, CSI Miami, CSI NY, How I Met Your Mother, Jerihco, NCIS, Numb3rs, and Survior Cook Islands (just look for the box on the left that says “watch full episodes free”). Jericho seemed to have the full season from the premier, but NCIS only had 4 episodes and the CSI’s each had 4.
Fox, bizarrely, seems to have a “Myspace” site where they have “Fox on Demand” and have some of their shows. Prisonbreak, Bones, The War at Home, American Dad, The Loop, Standoff, Vanished, The TalkShow and Til Death. They apparently only have the latest episode.
NBC.com seems to have some full episodes, but they are not listed out in an easy format like the other stations, if there is something you are following, it may be worth going over and looking around.
Disney Channel has single episodes of many of their shows. They show expiration dates, so my guess is that they leave them up and then replace them with new ones. Jetix (a Disney subsidiary) has full length episodes of things like Power Rangers and Digimon with the same setup. Heaven help me if Princess realizes she can watch power rangers. . . . . we’ll have kids karate chopping all over the house. Pink Princess Karate Chops. . . .
Then there is AOL Video where you can look up tons more TV networks and see all of the different shows available. . . .
Maybe I shouldn’t have told you all this, now we’ll NEVER get up from in front of the computer. . . . .
Phooey. NBC doesn’t have videos of my favorite show, “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.”
Princess like the Power Rangers? Nicky did, too! I made him the blue ranger costume when he was 4 years old for Halloween!
Every time I think about technology like this, I feel amazingly lucky to live in this day and age. This is so incredibly convenient!
Of the shows you named, I often watch episodes of Thursday night TV online, since that is such a packed lineup, and Linc Heights is on at 7 on Mondays, so if I don’t make it home from the gym in time, just watch it on online!
It makes you wonder what people who watched like Hillstreet Blues or Moonlighting did when they missed an episode. Lived with it I guess.
You’re so funny! I didn’t even own a tv for the first 9 mo i was here. Now that I’m on Night Shift I plan my night around the shows. We only get them in bursts but at least AFN picks the popular shows. I want to start Heros! on my nights off I’ve been watching “Supernatural”. That is some scary stuff, but I love it… kinda like Xfiles meets Ghostbusters… and the 2 leads are easy on the eyes! I Like watching the series on DVD, like you, I don’t want to have to feel tied to a tv schedule, that is why, when possible, I don’t have a tv in my home!!!! (’cause I know I like it – don’t even get me started on the HGTV or VH1 “I love the 80’s type shows!!)
Dan-back in the stone ages we just set up the VCR to tape our favorite shows every week, just in case, and if you missed it, well you caught it in the summer reruns if you were lucky. (remember when the shows all ran for the same season and everyone was in reruns at the same time?)
Amanda-Yes, the addiction to TV thing probably is in the genes. Who shall we blame it on? But seriously, check out Veronica Mars on Netflix, I think you’d like it.
i love technology! i’ve been following jericho and lincoln heights online. hopefully more channels offer shows online in the coming years
It is wonderful isn’t it? I first discovered CBS.com when I was (chagrin) watching Big Brother. I got to catch up for free! Free is fantastic!
This is so interesting! We’ve raised our daughters, from the time they could read to high school without a TV. My friends had told me that TV would soon all be through the computer, and this is indeed what is happening.
The timing is perfect! But can you get What Not to Wear?
You are not the last person…I just found out about TV in the internet last month! Unfortunately, I have a cheapy slow dial-up service, so I may not be able to get it. Looking into Vonage.
I have just come across your blog and I have to tell you that I have been reading for over an hour now. Anyway…about watching TV free on your computer…I wanted to bring your attention to a GREAT site called Joost. Joost has over 250 channels and over 15,000 TV shows. The channels are broken up into genres like cartoons, comedy, drama, film, news, sports, etc. Once you decide on the channel you can see what episodes are on that channel and decide what you want to watch. I’ve just finished watching Numb3rs and CSI. Some of the channels have complete seasons of shows, others have only a few…but gosh…it is simply GREAT! (I’ve used that word twice haven’t I? *lol*) Anyway…give it a shot…you and your readers will love it! Have a GREAT day (three times now) and thanks for such a kewl blog!
M-
Ugly Betty is one of an interesting show.I have seen this show.Recently i am watching Jericho episodes.As i found a Great Source to watch Jericho episodes Here.
Thanks for this wonderful post. I love to watch tv shows online.