TV Streaming for RVers

TV streaming is huge right now. All the networks, services, and cable providers want in on the action, but it’s hard to choose just one or two. Full-time RVing also makes it somewhat difficult to choose a streaming option – connectivity can often be spotty and unreliable.

You also have to consider data caps because many wireless providers only allow so many gigs of tethering from a device. A few hours of Netflix can eat up all of your data. So, what’s an RVer to do?

I’ll divide this article into two sections: streaming services you may not know about and streaming ideas for saving data.

Streaming Services You May Not Know About

Free HBO from AT&T
Warner Brothers owns AT&T which owns DIRECT TV and HBO. This partnership allows you to select from lots of streaming options. One worth checking out for traveling RVers is HBO Now, which is free on your AT&T device if you have one of their unlimited data packages.

It’s a little complicated to set up, but it’s worth it if you like HBO’s original programming and want a great library of movies.

Here’s how to access HBO Now from your AT&T device (must include unlimited data):

1. Go to AT&T’s HBO landing page at this link.

2. If you don’t have DIRECT TV or U-Verse, select the option “I don’t have TV with AT&T.” Then, sign up for a free DIRECT TV Now account.

3. You’ll verify your phone number, download the app, sign in, and have HBO at your fingertips.

***There’s a chance that AT&T will bill you and refund you for the HBO service. Read the fine print on that landing page to see how it works.

Amazon’s IMDB TV – Free with Ads

If you don’t mind watching ads (similar to Hulu and YouTube videos), you can choose the new and FREE IMDb TV option from Amazon. This service offers popular movies like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Smurfs, and Fly Away Home. It also has popular television shows including many classics like Bewitched, Friday Night Lights, and Duck Dynasty.

You won’t find much original content on IMDB TV, but you will find quality content. You can’t skip the ads, but the content is free. You also can’t download titles without an Amazon Prime account (it’s considered a channel on Amazon Prime). You will have to sign up for a free account to view the content on IMDb TV.

Here’s how to watch:

1. Go to IMDb.com/tv. Signup for an account. You can directly from the website.

2. Download the free IMDB app to your device (available on Android, Apple, Google). You can watch from this app after signing into your free account.

3. You can also watch free from any Amazon Fire device or Roku after signing into your free account.

Amazon Prime Channels
Amazon Prime’s Channels are an overlooked streaming option. This service allows you to select programming from many cable providers without the subscription to expensive cable packages. This is great for RVers because you can still access the content you love from networks like Cinemax, STARZ, and Showtime. You can also select programming on very specific interests like the Smithsonian channel, Yoga TV and CBS AllAccess (subscription).

Some of these channels have an additional subscription fee to the Amazon Prime fee, but you get an entire month’s free trial for most of them. You can also sign up for a month and cancel if there’s a special you want to watch.

Some notes on this service:
1. You must be an Amazon Prime customer. See this page for current cost.
2. You will need to monitor which channels are subscription-based from inside your Amazon account. All subscriptions are handled through the My Account section of your Amazon account.

How to Stream to Your TV When You Don’t Have Traditional Wi-Fi

Now that I’ve told you about a few streaming options you may not know about, let’s talk how to watch when you don’t have traditional Wi-Fi.

Note: This is not a comprehensive guide to every data provider or every option available. This is just what we’ve discovered so far at full-time RVers.

Apple TV
We’ve had success connecting our Apple TV to our wireless device hotspots. However, if you don’t have a grandfathered wireless plan, your hot spot data is probably limited. You can also connect to the campground WIFI networks with Apple TV, but you may have to reconnect to it often as their hotspots can get overwhelmed at peak times.

Connect Your Apple Device Directly to the TV
This has been our most successful way to stream Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and YouTube. We bought an Apple Lightning to HDMI adapter (it must be the Apple-certified device) to stream from a phone with unlimited data to the TV.

Related Read: 5 Reasons RVers Will Love Disney+

This doesn’t work with all streaming apps. Some failures – ABC, Fox, and most of the major networks. They have a detection built into the app for “recording” that blocks the app from streaming. You may have to watch content from the major networks through the device itself.

Google Chromecast
This device is so nice on a WIFI network because you can cast your phone’s content to the TV without having to use your device battery. The downside is that you have to have a private Wi-Fi network. Well, we figured out a network workaround.

When you’re on a public network like campground Wi-Fi, you’ll either need a router or a Window’s device to make into a router to make the Chromecast work with the public network. This also works for PlayStation streaming. You’ll just connect to the Window’s hotspot you’re about to create.

Here are the basics:

1. Windows 10 has an option to “share your wireless connection with other devices.”

2. Right click on Start and open Settings.

3. Select Network and Internet.

4. Select Mobile Hotspot.

5. Turn on “Share my wireless connection with other devices.”

6. Click Edit and set your network name and password.

7. Set up your Chromecast to connect to this network and watch your favorite streaming service.

If you need a more detailed guide, check out this article on making your Windows 10 device into a hotspot.

Note: You will have to leave your Windows device on and open while using the hotspot.

We hope this guide to streaming options you may not know about gives you some new ways to watch your favorite shows on the road.