Best Free Shows on Peacock, IMDb TV and More – CNET
Best Free Shows on Peacock, IMDb TV and More - CNET
We need “comfort TV” now more than ever. But at what price? Thankfully, if you have an internet connection fast enough for streaming, that price is zero. With NBC’s Peacock service, there’s more great free TV to watch than ever. Below I’ve rounded up a handful of the best free shows on Peacock and other services you can watch from start to finish, no charge.
The catch, of course, is that you’ll have to sit through commercial breaks, same as with classic broadcast TV of old. But here you can watch entirely on-demand, on your schedule, and on just about any device you want.
This is my must-see-free-TV list; hit the comments with your picks.
Read more: The best streaming device of 2023
<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicle" data-location="LIST" data-position="1" edition="us" imagegroup="{"alt":"30-rock-cast","caption":"
","credits":"NBC","imageData":{"id":"70c8a981-7d36-4702-9575-f9fc2022bb80","title":"30 Rock (2006-2013)","filename":"30-rock-cast.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/dd9i6hER6Qacwkah1GsxPU4M12M=/2020/07/17/70c8a981-7d36-4702-9575-f9fc2022bb80/30-rock-cast.jpg","caption":"
Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski y Jack McBrayer en ’30 Rock’ (2006-2013)
","size":351219,"width":1920,"height":1080,"dateCreated":{"date":"2020-07-17 14:49:16","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2020-07-17 14:51:03","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"NBC","alt":"30-rock-cast","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"70c8a981-7d36-4702-9575-f9fc2022bb80","imageAltText":"30-rock-cast","imageCaption":"
","imageCredit":"NBC","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"30-rock-cast.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2020/07/17","imageWidth":1920,"imageHeight":1080,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”
” overridecredit=”NBC” data-key=”cnetlisticle__29a0f32f-8980-4fb7-af76-9afd06a2f17e” position=”1″ contenttype=”Product Advice” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>
Tina Fey’s SNL-inspired workplace comedy remains as underrated now as it was during its seven-season run. That’s a shame, because it’s sharp, smart and laugh-out-loud hilarious — and doesn’t feel the least bit dated. The show took maybe half its first season to really find its footing, but by the end of S1 it was firing on all cylinders.
<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicle" data-location="LIST" data-position="2" edition="us" imagegroup="{"alt":"battlestar-galactica-promo-image","caption":"
","credits":"NBCUniversal","imageData":{"id":"6d569d9c-e5c2-48cf-9734-49ba0b28c605","title":"battlestar-galactica-promo-image","filename":"battlestar-galactica-promo-image.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/Z0nFaezJxdu7or24PpnweJqfvsc=/2019/10/19/6d569d9c-e5c2-48cf-9734-49ba0b28c605/battlestar-galactica-promo-image.jpg","caption":"
","size":195021,"width":1800,"height":1012,"dateCreated":{"date":"2019-10-19 18:42:46","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2019-10-19 18:42:52","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"NBCUniversal","alt":"battlestar-galactica-promo-image","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"6d569d9c-e5c2-48cf-9734-49ba0b28c605","imageAltText":"battlestar-galactica-promo-image","imageCaption":"
","imageCredit":"NBCUniversal","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"battlestar-galactica-promo-image.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2019/10/19","imageWidth":1800,"imageHeight":1012,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”
” overridecredit=”NBCUniversal” data-key=”cnetlisticle__d1b6028c-75fc-421b-b4ef-c85b9316cddd” position=”2″ contenttype=”Product Advice” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>
You don’t have to like sci-fi to love Battlestar Galactica, and you don’t need to know a single thing about the campy ’70s series that preceded this reboot. You just have to enjoy blistering drama, phenomenal acting and more plot twists than you can fit in an airlock.
If you’ve already seen the series and are getting ready for a rewatch, check out my list of the 15 top moments from Battlestar Galactica. (Warning: It’s nothing but spoilers.)
<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicle" data-location="LIST" data-position="3" edition="us" imagegroup="{"alt":"burning-love-tv-series","caption":"
","credits":"E!","imageData":{"id":"4ba98f6d-4ea7-46a0-b8c1-1c1dfb2bb9f8","title":"burning-love-tv-series","filename":"burning-love-tv-series.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/r-C3WOKJWd168ULGwEPr_C6jAD0=/2020/07/30/4ba98f6d-4ea7-46a0-b8c1-1c1dfb2bb9f8/burning-love-tv-series.jpg","caption":"
","size":215859,"width":1440,"height":750,"dateCreated":{"date":"2020-07-30 17:57:41","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2020-07-30 17:59:03","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"E!","alt":"burning-love-tv-series","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"4ba98f6d-4ea7-46a0-b8c1-1c1dfb2bb9f8","imageAltText":"burning-love-tv-series","imageCaption":"
","imageCredit":"E!","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"burning-love-tv-series.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2020/07/30","imageWidth":1440,"imageHeight":750,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”
” overridecredit=”E!” data-key=”cnetlisticle__a54e6df9-3493-4374-928e-1a7a40406c83″ position=”3″ contenttype=”Product Advice” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>
Even if you’re not a fan of reality shows like The Bachelor, this criminally overlooked parody series (of shows like The Bachelor) will have you howling. It’s packed with familiar faces (Michael Ian Black, Kristin Bell and Jennifer Aniston, to name just a few — and that’s just in season 1), all of whom bring their comedy A-games to this sharp send-up.
<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicle" data-location="LIST" data-position="4" edition="us" imagegroup="{"alt":"downtonabbeypbs","caption":"
","credits":"PBS","imageData":{"id":"5f88a168-5762-449c-ac58-b83a58edc546","title":"Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classic","filename":"downtonabbeypbs.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/XtTvacgCMmFb0ADWI6j-UdnRYeI=/2019/09/24/5f88a168-5762-449c-ac58-b83a58edc546/downtonabbeypbs.jpg","caption":"
","size":591752,"width":1000,"height":563,"dateCreated":{"date":"2019-09-24 20:52:25","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2019-09-24 20:52:54","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"PBS","alt":"downtonabbeypbs","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"5f88a168-5762-449c-ac58-b83a58edc546","imageAltText":"downtonabbeypbs","imageCaption":"
","imageCredit":"PBS","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"downtonabbeypbs.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2019/09/24","imageWidth":1000,"imageHeight":563,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”
” overridecredit=”PBS” data-key=”cnetlisticle__678ee67d-c9a6-43d5-b41a-fec83fe259e7″ position=”4″ contenttype=”Product Advice” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>
Has there been a finer TV drama in the past decade? I think not. Downton Abbey proves that shows don’t have to be dark and depressing and populated with anti-heroes. Sure, it has bleak moments, but it’s also fun and funny, with characters you can’t help but love. Don’t think it’s your cup of Earl Grey tea? Watch one episode; I guarantee you’ll be hooked.
<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicle" data-location="LIST" data-position="5" edition="us" imagegroup="{"alt":"friday-night-lights-podria-ser-de-nuevo-una-pelicula","caption":"
","credits":"NBC","imageData":{"id":"beaf2913-f26b-4640-961d-a008e12f917c","title":"Friday Night Lights [2006-2011]","filename":"friday-night-lights-podria-ser-de-nuevo-una-pelicula.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2018/09/21/beaf2913-f26b-4640-961d-a008e12f917c/friday-night-lights-podria-ser-de-nuevo-una-pelicula.jpg","caption":"
Basada en la película homónima de 2004, la serie Friday Night Lights (2006-2011), creada por Peter Berg, es considerada como uno de los programas que dio origen a la actual era dorada de las series de TV, con 96 nominaciones (y 13 victorias) en los premios Emmy.
","size":150800,"width":1200,"height":720,"dateCreated":{"date":"2018-09-21 23:18:31","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2018-09-21 23:18:59","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"NBC","alt":"friday-night-lights-podria-ser-de-nuevo-una-pelicula","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"beaf2913-f26b-4640-961d-a008e12f917c","imageAltText":"friday-night-lights-podria-ser-de-nuevo-una-pelicula","imageCaption":"
","imageCredit":"NBC","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"friday-night-lights-podria-ser-de-nuevo-una-pelicula.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2018/09/21","imageWidth":1200,"imageHeight":720,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”
” overridecredit=”NBC” usepricing=”false” data-key=”cnetlisticle__98c37261-0b01-47a8-ad7c-98369b9186b7″ position=”5″ contenttype=”Product Advice” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>
Just as Battlestar Galactica isn’t about spaceships, Friday Night Lights isn’t really about football. It’s a fully realized human drama, one that hums with relatable stories and lovable, often deeply flawed characters. The show came to IMDb TV a couple of years ago; it’s now available on Peacock as well.