Watching classic TV shows like Star Trek, Bewitched, The Jeffersons, Three’s Company, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents can walk you down memory lane. However, most of these shows are becoming hard to find on popular streaming services.
Luckily, many online movie streaming platforms today let you watch your favorite classic TV shows for free. Thanks to VPN technology, you don’t have to worry about geo-restriction to stream the shows that made up your childhood.
VPNs offer a great way to keep your anonymity online and allow you to access websites that are otherwise unavailable in your region. Continue reading to know where to access them freely.
| 🔒Legal Note: Laws on using VPNs can vary from country to country. TechJury does not condone illegal activities, so please check your local legal statutes before using the apps and websites listed in this article. Also, keep yourself in the know about VPN best practices and legal implications. |
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- You can watch old TV shows for free via Retrovision, Pluto TV, Crackle, Shout Factory TV, Classic Television Online, Popcornflix, and Internet Archive.
- While useful, free streaming sites may leave you vulnerable to malware and other threats.
- Always be wary when using free sites. Make sure to use adblockers and anti-virus software. Avoid suspicious links at all costs.
- VPNs like ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN can help circumvent geo-restrictions on your favorite old TV shows.
Best Sites To Watch Classic TV Shows
With the growing popularity of subscription-based online video streaming services today, with Netflix leading in the US, a fraction still relies on web browsers to watch old TV shows. You know what they say, old habits die hard.
Tons of websites let you watch free content. However, old TV shows are often unavailable on most free streaming sites, no matter which web browser you use.
| 👍 Helpful Articles: For the best user experience, compare and contrast the web browsers that “sparked the internet boom” with these helpful articles. |
This is when VPN saves the day. Knowing how VPN works and which one to use can be challenging, but it’s easy to get the hang of it.
You can use web browsers with built-in VPNs or install one on your current web browser for convenience.
Nearly 50% of VPN services are free, so you’re almost good to go. Now you just need to choose which site to visit.
Worry no more because we’ve done the research for you! Below are the top seven sites to watch classic TV shows.
1. Retrovision
Retrovision is one of the best sources of free classic TV shows. It offers a massive collection of shows from the 1950s to 1970s.
The site’s user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for those new to free streaming. It also features comedy, adventure, drama, sci-fi, horror, and more.
2. Pluto TV
It is a free streaming service with a broad range of TV shows from different genres. It features channels like Classic TV, Classic Comedy, and Classic Drama.
You can access Pluto TV on many devices. It’s available on your web browser, mobile devices, and smart TVs.
3. Crackle
Crackle is another popular free streaming website for classic TV shows. It boasts many shows from different genres, such as action, drama, comedy, and sci-fi. Also, it’s available on all mainstream platforms.
4. Shout Factory TV
Shout Factory TV is an ad-driven streaming service that lets you watch classic TV shows and movies — for free. It features shows like Mystery Science and The Dick Cavett Show.
You can access it on web browsers, smart televisions, and mobile devices.
5. Classic Television Online
Classic Television Online is a site that offers a huge collection of old TV shows and movies from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. You can watch shows like The Lucky Show, Dragnet, and The Beverly Hillbillies on the platform.
Moreover, it is easy to use, making it an excellent choice for people who aren’t tech-savvy.
6. Popcornflix
Popcornfilx is a free streaming website that hosts TV shows from various genres, such as comedy, action, sci-fi, and drama.
You can watch shows like The Lone Ranger and The Saint. Popcornflix is available on all major web browsers and operating systems.
7. Internet Archive
Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library that offers free classic TV shows and movies. It features shows from different eras, including the 1950s to the 1980s.
The website of Internet Archive is easy to navigate. It even has a search function to find the shows you’re looking for.
| 🎉 Fun Fact: Aside from letting you watch videos, the Internet Archive’s side project, the Wayback Machine, lets you visit over 800 billion archived copies of web pages that aren’t available anymore. Through the Wayback Machine, you’ll be able to: |
How To Use Free Streaming Sites Safely?
With the significant number of malware attacks yearly, you can’t bat an eye on your online safety and privacy.
More often than not, free streaming sites expose your device to malware infections and viruses. You don’t want this to happen.
While there’s nothing more exciting than watching your favorite old shows for free, be sure not to compromise your online security and anonymity.
Besides connecting to a VPN for web anonymity, here are some safety precautions when streaming on free movie sites.
- Use Ad-Blockers: Free streaming websites are notorious for hosting pop-up ads. These ads can also be dangerous since they contain malicious software that can harm your device.
38% of internet users in the US already use ad-blockers on their computers for a better ad-free online experience.
- Avoid Suspicious Links: Many free streaming websites have links that redirect you to malicious websites. Don’t click on these links. They may contain malware that can compromise your data and device.
Bobby is “no dummy,” be like Bobby!
- Use Anti-Virus Software: Install and regularly update anti-virus software on your device. An antivirus helps detect and remove different types of malware and viruses that your device may get from free streaming websites.
With the rising spyware and malware attacks ranking fifth in top-rated risks in 2020, looking for your internet safety is important.
- Keep Your Device Updated: Ensure that your device’s software and operating system are current. This will protect it from known vulnerabilities and ensure you have the latest security patches.
| 🔒 Security Note: Streaming or downloading free content online can be subject to piracy lawsuits. While these activities are generally considered legal, they become illegal when the shared file is copyrighted. |
Importance of a VPN
Online anonymity is never 100% promised, but you can guarantee you are far ahead from data breach and theft risks with a reliable VPN.
Even in the comfort of your home, online security can be jeopardized. With VPN, you can proactively safeguard your personal information on any device.
Moreover, it prevents other people or agencies from having access to your browsing histories and hiding your activities from your ISP, including but not limited to:
- Password
- IP address
- Physical location
- Personal data
Surfing the web should be an enjoyable, secure, and private experience. Investing in a good VPN can provide you with some kind of confidence in your privacy.
| ✅ Pro Tip: Online privacy, quality, and speed when using a VPN are not totally exclusive. Choose the best premium VPN service that can deliver all of these at once from some of TechJury’s top picks. |
Best VPNs For Free Streaming
When it comes to streaming, choosing a VPN that offers fast speed, reliable connection, and robust security features is vital. Some of the best VPNs for streaming are:
- ExpressVPN: A popular choice that provides fast speed and unlimited bandwidth. It has servers in over 90 counties, making it easy to circumvent geo-restrictions and access content worldwide.
- Surfshark: This VPN is known for its speed, strong security, and competitive price. With over 3200 servers and unlimited simultaneous connections, it’s an excellent choice for multiple users.
- NordVPN: A VPN that provides access to more than 5000 servers to help you avoid any geo-restrictions. It offers guaranteed security with its 256-bit AES encryption. NordVPN also comes with a built-in ad-blocking feature.
Here’s how to use a VPN when streaming:
- Select a capable VPN provider.
- Download and install your VPN application.
3. Connect to a server.
4. Open a tab in your browser and head to your preferred streaming site. Start streaming.
| ⚠️ Warning: To go anonymous, verify your VPN connection using a website that checks your IP address. |
Bottom Line
Several websites provide free access to classic TV shows. They are user-friendly and accessible on major platforms.
If it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t, so it is important to exercise caution when using these websites. Lookout for red flags such as pop-up ads and displays of suspicious links.
Using a VPN is one of the best, most effective ways to stay safe when you’re on a free streaming website. Choose one with a built-in “malware and ad blocker” for a safe and enjoyable streaming experience.
FAQs
How Do You Legally Watch Classic TV Shows?
The websites mentioned above claim legal rights to steam the classic TV shows they offer. We recommend checking their terms and conditions before watching content on these websites to ensure you’re not breaking copyright laws.
What Apps Let You Watch Old TV Shows For Free?
Most free streaming websites are compatible with mobile devices. Some even have their own apps. However, many of these apps must be downloaded via APK because they’re unavailable on Play Store or App Store.
Can You Download TV Shows From Free Streaming Websites?
The majority of free streaming websites don’t allow downloading due to copyright restrictions. However, some websites offer an option to save content temporarily for offline viewing.
Timeline Of The Article
Sirisha is a networking enthusiast with a bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering. She has developed a keen interest in Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and has gone the extra mile to gain firsthand experience and knowledge.