You’re sitting on your couch with laptop ready, candy on the side, gearing yourself up for some marathon TV watching. Today, you decide, is the day. You’re finally going to watch all of Season 1 of that hilarious new comedy that all your friends have been raving about.

You open your internet browser, and pause. Wait, what now? You know that most shows are available online completely legally, but you’re not really sure of how to make your way around the proliferation of services.

Well, then, this guide is for you.

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There are three big categories of streaming services in play these days.

 

1. TV networks’ websites

Most TV networks will have their own websites where their shows will be streamed, usually after a certain period of time (it ranges from one day to one week). Look up the network that produces your desired TV show, find its page on the network website, and see if it’s available.

For example, Modern Family can be streamed online from ABC, and Elementary can be streamed from CBS. Game of Thrones is available on HBO, but only to HBOgo customers (that is, you have HBO on cable). Expect to watch some ads to “pay” for your episodes.

Pros: Definitely legitimate and legal, typically free. Many shows not available anywhere else.

Cons: Typically, only the current season is available, and you almost always have to wait a few days after an episode has screened to watch it.

Price: Free (unless you’re unlucky with HBO)

 

2. Dedicated streaming sites: Netflix, Hulu

Netflix and Hulu are the two big players in online TV streaming. Most shows are on either or both of these sites. You pay a monthly subscription for Netflix ($7.99 a month), whereas Hulu is mostly free, although you can get high definition episodes and other perks, such as new episodes being available the next day rather than the next week, with Hulu Plus, their paid section (also $7.99 a month).

Hulu corners the market with current season episodes, whereas Netflix does much better on past seasons, no doubt due to its roots as a DVD subscription service. In recent years, both sites have also produced their own shows, notably House of Cards on Netflix.

Pros: Wide variety of shows in one place for one price (or two places for two prices, you get the idea). Typically has all episodes of a season which makes it easier for marathon sessions.

Cons: You have to pay, and on Hulu you still get ads despite paying. Some shows from certain networks not available.

Price: $9.99 for Netflix, $7.99 for Hulu Plus, basic Hulu is free.

 

3. Online streaming retailers: Amazon, iTunes

Amazon and iTunes both sell TV episodes that you can either stream (Amazon) or download to your computer (both). You buy by the episode or by the season, box-set-style. Amazon additionally has certain shows available to stream free if you’re an Amazon Prime member, but these shows are a limited subset.

You won’t have ads, that’s for sure, but you won’t get the newest episodes either. On the other hand, you do get to keep your episodes if you choose to buy them, and they’re cheaper than buying the actual DVDs. And these retailers have the widest range of shows available since they mostly just sell the episodes like they would DVDs, removing the need for negotiation with networks for streaming rights.

Pros: No ads, portability of episodes, widest range of TV shows. If you’re at a loss, this is probably the place to go to get your TV fix.

Cons: No current season episodes, more expensive overall than dedicated streaming site subscriptions.

Price: $1.29–$1.99 per episode, about $25 for a whole season. Amazon Prime is $79 a year.

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So where should you go first, for your show? Here are some quick guidelines:

• Hit up the dedicated streaming sites first. For current season episodes, try Hulu. For past season episodes, try Netflix.
• If that fails, or if you don’t have a subscription and don’t want to start now, then find the network that produces the show and go to that network’s site.
• If that fails, either pay for Netflix or Hulu, or try Amazon and iTunes.
• If you’re an Amazon Prime member, cross your fingers that the show you want is available for free.
• Otherwise, buy your episodes.
• If all of this still fails, try renting a DVD from Netflix or your local rental store, if those still exist.
• Or ask a friend with cable to record the show for you / ask them how they watch the show, if they’re the ones who have been pressuring you to watch it.

Happy marathoning!