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Are you sick and tired of video streaming services raising prices on you in 2026? You’re not alone.

People who called themselves “cord cutters” when they ditched cable and satellite are now looking for a reprieve from rising streaming subscription costs.

And a value-oriented segment of the market is ready to deliver: FREE streaming services.

Money expert Clark Howard has been consistent in his messaging that a digital antenna and a few free streaming TV services downloaded to your smart TV are a great way to get entertainment without putting a dent in your monthly budget.

For example, you could save more than $1,000 per year by ditching YouTube TV and Netflix for this strategy.

The cool part is that you can try all these free services with no obligation before you commit to any “permanent” changes to your streaming strategy.

But where do you get started? That is what this article is all about.

There are plenty of free options, but service quality varies. I have reviewed more than 20 free services for Team Clark and have created an in-depth guide to the best free streaming services.

Let’s talk about the services I’d suggest for “getting started” and which services are most likely to impress you.

Start with the Big 3 of Freebie TV

After reviewing a bunch of these freebie TV apps, it became clear that many air the same “dated” television series, a hodgepodge of movies you may have never heard of, and a similar menu of free, ad-supported (FAST) channels.

But three stand above the rest in terms of quality of recognizable content, some live news and weather, user-friendly apps, and even some original content that you can’t get anywhere else.

And it’s probably no surprise that each has the backing of a major media company that can provide the tools and content to succeed in the space.

So, without further introduction, I believe every cord cutter should have these three free services on their streaming device and in regular rotation:

Pluto TV Review

Parent Company: Paramount Skydance

Website: pluto.tv

FAST Channel Count: More than 400

Recognizable TV Series: “The Walking Dead”, “Cheers”, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”, “X-Files”, “Star Trek: The Original Series”

Live News and Weather Channels: CBS News 24/7, NBC News Now, ABC News Live, CNN Headlines, BBC News

Kids Content Brands: Dr. Seuss, Dora the Explorer, Garfield, Rugrats, Peppa Pig

Tubi TV Review

Parent Company: FOX

Website: tubitv.com

FAST Channel Count: More than 250

Recognizable TV Series: “Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “The First 48”

Live News and Weather Channels: LiveNOW from Fox, Fox Weather, NBC News Now, ABC News Live, Scripps News

Kids Content Brands: Looney Tunes, Pokémon, Lego, Transformers, Tom and Jerry

Roku Channel Review

Parent Company: Roku

Website: therokuchannel.roku.com

FAST Channel Count: More than 500

Recognizable TV Series: “Cold Case,” “Frasier,” “Nashville,” “Heartland,” “Bewitched”

Live News and Weather Channels: CBS News 24/7, NBC News Now, ABC News Live, LiveNow from Fox, Weather Nation

Kids Content Brands: Garfield, The Magic School Bus, Barney & Friends, Teletubbies, Caillou

Note: The content offered on FAST services changes often. The information provided about these services is accurate as of the article’s publish date. Check out the service’s app or website for the latest content offerings.

Supplement with These 2 Targeted Freebies

The three services mentioned above will give you a broad base of on-demand TV series and movies, hundreds of the best FAST channels, plenty of kids’ content, a variety of live news options, and even some original content sprinkled in.

But many of you will still feel like there’s a gap in your content options compared to a live TV streaming service.

So I have a couple more suggestions for making sure you’re getting a well-rounded free streaming experience:

Zeam: If you’re not getting local channels for free via a digital antenna, you’re probably going to feel the pain of missing your local news via the three mentioned above. Luckily, there are a few free streaming services out there dedicated to delivering access to local news content. One of the emerging options I like is Zeam, but you may also find luck with Local Now.

YouTube: No, I’m not talking about paying for YouTube TV. I’m talking about the old-fashioned YouTube app. There are literally millions of options for free content on this platform, which is now available via a smart TV app. Most creators, including many of the networks you’re paying for, post high-definition content on the platform for free. It’s a great spot to catch popular podcasts, docuseries, viral content creators, and even some live sports. This will give you a taste of the “here and now” in the world of social content as part of your free streaming experience.

Bottom Line

Everyone’s taste in free streaming content is a little bit different.

So, test several platforms, find the ones that offer the content you like most, and ditch the rest to curate a free streaming experience that makes your household happiest.

I most often recommend Pluto, Tubi, and The Roku Channel to people interested in saving money on streaming TV. I find that if streamers can’t find one useful, they may not be ready to ditch paid subscriptions just yet.

Do you have these free streaming services on your device? What are some of your other favorites? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the Clark.com community.
The post 5 Free Streaming Services All Cord Cutters Should Have appeared first on Clark Howard.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently updated the technology it uses, making several important changes to the way air travelers go through airport security.

While TSA PreCheck is widely considered to have improved the airport experience, especially for frequent travelers, 58% of Americans still agree that getting through the airport is “too much of a hassle,” according to U.S. Travel and Ipsos survey. 

The TSA constantly aims to improve this and make airport security less of a bother, while remaining focused on its primary objective: safety.

Recently, I reported on how the agency finally lifted a long-standing airport restriction after 25 years, opening departure gates to non-flyers. This decision, like many other TSA changes, largely divided air travelers, with a number of them thrilled about the convenience and emotional value of sending off loved ones. But others, particularly frequent flyers, expressed concerns about increased security line wait times and gate crowding.

Now, the latest TSA changes, aimed at improving the flying experience, are also showing some drawbacks for travelers.

TSA’s advanced 3D CT baggage scanners have ups and downs 

In 2022, the TSA awarded a $781.2 million contract to Analogic to purchase and maintain hundreds of new Computed Tomography (CT) 3D baggage scanners. 

As of July 6, TSA had installed 1,162 CT scanners at 296 airports, according to a TSA spokesperson, and as reported by AFAR. 

These new machines will improve security threat detection while allowing passengers to keep more items inside their carry-on bags during checkpoint screening, according to an official TSA press release. 

This, combined with the automated facial recognition system at airport checkpoints aims to make security screening faster and less reliant on manual checks. 

The most noticeable change is a much easier screening process for carry-on luggage. Because 3D scanners give security agents a highly detailed view of the inside of a traveler’s bag, flyers don’t need to remove laptops, large electronics or approved liquids from their bags. 

However, each of these technologies has drawbacks, as recently highlighted by Simple Flying and Fox 13. 

TSA’s advanced 3D CT baggage scanners have ups and downs. Bloomberg / Getty Images

TSA’s advanced 3D CT baggage shortcomings: 

Stricter bag sizes: The new scanners have slightly smaller entry tunnels. This means soft or slightly oversized carry-on bags that agents used to overlook may not physically fit into the scanner, forcing you to go back and check your bag.

Destroyed camera film: The stronger imaging technology can permanently damage or completely destroy unprocessed photographic film. Photographers must remove all film and request a hand inspection.

Inconsistent rules across airports: Since the new scanners aren’t at every airport yet, you may leave everything in your bag on your flight out but still be forced to unpack on your return flight.

No room for overstuffed bags: Standard carry-ons that fit official size limits can still get stuck if front pockets are jammed or expansion zippers are unzipped, forcing you to check the bag.

A spokesperson for the TSA in Florida, Daniel Velez, told Fox 13 that the 3-D X-ray scanners do have a smaller opening than the previous devices.

“This design is necessary to accommodate the advanced imaging technology and ensure optimal performance. TSA officers are available to assist travelers with larger items or special needs to help ensure a smooth screening process,” Velez said.  

It is important to note that the size that airlines typically allow for carry-on items, which is measured as 22″ x 14″ x 9″, will fit in the new scanners, according to Simple Flying. The problem occurs when travelers bring slightly larger bags. In effect, the smaller opening also works as an informal check that luggage doesn’t exceed the size limit.

 TSA’s advanced 3D CT baggage benefits: 

Leaving liquids and electronics inside bags: The new scanners can check bags without opening them, eliminating the need for travelers to unpack laptops and other electronic devices, or liquids before scanning.

Faster checkpoint lines and fewer bottlenecks: Because travelers no longer pause to unpack and repack devices or toiletries at the conveyor belt, screening lanes can move faster during peak travel hours.

Enhanced 3D threat detection with fewer physical bag searches: According to official TSA guidance, officers can rotate bag images 360 degrees on three axes. This detailed view improves weapon and explosive detection while reducing the need for manual bag searches or pat-downs.

More flexible packing freedom: As highlighted by Simple Flying, flyers no longer need to pack around security convenience. Electronics and toiletries can be tucked deep inside carry-ons rather than kept right at the top for easy removal.

Here’s some of my other recent travel news coverage:

Marriott finally fixes major pain point for key travelers

Delta Air Lines quietly ends 17 routes while adding new flights

Americans losing more protection over delayed flights

Travelers can refuse TSA facial recongition, but expect friction

Under my travel coverage for TheStreet, I reported in August 2025 on how the TSA is expanding facial recognition technology across U.S. airport checkpoints.

This automated system takes a real-time photo of a flyer to confirm their identity, replacing the long-standing practice of officers manually comparing physical IDs against faces. The main benefit of this shift is speed, as it automates identity checks to help move security lines along faster.

However, the system has major drawbacks regarding passenger privacy and data storage. While facial scanning is officially voluntary for domestic travelers, the TSA rarely makes this obvious, leading many flyers to assume the scan is mandatory. 

Those who wish to avoid biometric tracking have the right to refuse the camera and request a standard manual check instead.

Despite this right, passenger sentiment remains fraught. Findings from the Algorithmic Justice League’s Comply to Fly report, an advocacy group’s survey, revealed that nearly 48% of travelers didn’t know opting out was possible.

One passenger testified that an agent became “visibly angry with me” and that they were “treated with extreme rudeness the entire time.” 

Furthermore, official findings from the U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board noted that “complaints submitted to TSA’s Contact Center (TCC) suggest that TSOs may not be uniformly implementing this opt-out policy,” leaving travelers who refuse the scan facing confusion and delays.

Privacy experts say that’s exactly why some travelers decline. Travis LeBlanc, a lawyer and former member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, told HuffPost that the benefit of opting out is that “you don’t have to submit your picture to the government.”

 TSA maintains on its website that opting out causes no delay for travelers.

Related: Disney World’s peak Magic Kingdom ticket jumps $10 to $219 for 2027

SpaceX cut the flight short after initially aiming to send it on a nearly 10-hour mission.

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Why we love this deal

Fall is one of the best times of the year to lounge outside. You’re mostly sweat- and bug-free, and you get to enjoy a beautiful view of the leaves changing from green to shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown. While there’s nothing wrong with a classic patio set, a way to amp up the relaxation factor is to opt for a rocking design. Thankfully, Walmart has plenty of these outdoor furniture sets, including one on sale for nearly 50% off.

The Gizoon 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set is currently on sale for $70. With a big clearance deal, you get 46% off its regular price of $130. It offers an affordable way to relax outdoors, and it saves you $60 that you can spend on other outdoor items, like solar lights and pop-up canopies.

Gizoon 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set, $70 (was $130) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Why do shoppers love it?

The best patio sets offer style, comfort, and durability, and this three-piece set from Walmart checks off all the boxes. It comes with two rocking chairs and a side table, which can create a cozy little seating area in any outdoor space, from a small apartment balcony to a spacious backyard patio. 

The rocking chairs have a beautiful design that blends PE wicker, a sturdy powder-coated steel frame, and solid wood accents. The backrests are hand-woven with PE wicker, offering classic outdoor appeal with the utmost durability. The armrests feature solid wood, giving the chairs a premium look despite their budget-friendly price. The chairs also feature cushions that are 2.7 inches thick for a comfortable seat. Last but not least, they rock back and forth steadily and smoothly, acting as a natural stress reliever, which is especially useful ahead of a busy holiday season that will be here before we know it.

A side table completes the patio set. It’s compact at only 17 inches long by 17 inches wide, so you can nestle it between the two chairs. With a tempered glass top, it’s durable and easy to clean. It provides the perfect spot to rest drinks, snacks, or your latest fall read. 

Related: Amazon is selling a 3-piece 4-seater wicker sectional patio set for $279

Details to know

Chair dimensions: The chairs measure 23.2 inches long, 28.7 inches deep, and 36.1 inches high.

Table dimensions: The table measures 17 inches long, 17 inches wide, and 19 inches high,

Do the seats have cushions? Yes.

According to the manufacturer, the patio set is easy to assemble. Step-by-step instructions are provided, along with all the hardware needed to put the pieces together. 

Shop more deals

Lofka 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set, $67 (was $116) at Walmart

Noelse 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set, $65 (was $106) at Walmart

Walsunny 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set, $110 (was $160) at Walmart

Make the most of fall weather with a comforting patio set like the Gizoon 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set from Walmart. On sale for only $70 with a nearly 50% discount, it’s a fall deal you’re going to want to take advantage of while you still can.

Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ rises to No. 2 on the Vinyl Albums chart as Ariana Grande’s ‘Petal’ blocks it from returning to No. 1.

From Madonna’s cameo-packed opener to Lisa’s “SaWaDiKa” and tributes to both George Michael and Dolly Parton, here are all the 2026 VMA performers ranked.

As restaking yields dried up and smart-contract risks mounted, Ethereum’s top liquid restaking protocol walked away from its core business to build a crypto neobank instead.

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this deal

Whether it’s children’s toys or crafting supplies for a hobby, we all have items that could be tidied with quality organization. While many storage containers are designed to be hidden away, others double as stylish pieces of multipurpose furniture that enhance a space.

One popular choice in this category is the versatile cube organizer, and right now, Amazon has slashed the price on one by 11%. As a result, the Best Choice Products 9-Cube Storage Organizer in a clean white finish has been discounted from $95 to just $85 as part of a limited-time deal. 

Best Choice Products 9-Cube Storage Organizer, $85 (was $95) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Details to know 

Sizes available: There are various sizes of this organizer, with 6-cube, 8-cube, and 9-cube options available. There are also options for 11-inch cubbies and 13.5-inch cubbies, depending on the basket size you want to put inside.

Color options: There are 5 colors of cube organizers to choose from, including natural wood tones, neutral shades, and vibrant pops of color.

Is assembly required?: Yes, assembly is required and should take around 30 minutes.

Standing 36 inches tall, 36 inches long, and 11.5 inches deep, this storage cube organizer has nine spacious cubbies. Crafted with an extremely sturdy engineered wood, this unit can hold a whopping 275 pounds. This means that, along with holding baskets and showcasing your home decor, books, and art, this customizable shelving could also serve as a media console by displaying a TV and gaming system on top.

There are various sizes and colors available for this storage cube organizer, and many combinations are on sale with at least 11% off.

Related: Walmart’s $56 4-tier rolling stackable storage bins have lockable doors

Why do shoppers love it?

One shopper wrote, “The levels of organization I am experiencing are off the charts! Dramatic improvement to closet organization, and it is easy to assemble.”

“The instructions that came with this product were so helpful, anyone could build it,” said a second reviewer. “Once the product was set up, I couldn’t believe how much space it saved me. It makes my room look bigger and cleaner. Hands down the best purchase I could have made to get more organized!”

Another customer wrote, “I am using these cubbies for my hobby room to keep my things easily accessible and organized. It went together easily and quickly. I would definitely recommend these to others.”

Shop more deals

Furinno Luder 5-Tier Cube Bookcase, $43 at Amazon

Shintenchi 3-Tier Cube Storage Organizer, $80 at Amazon

Signature Design by Ashley Coastal 8-Cube Storage Organizer, $85 at Amazon

Step up your organization game for less with the Best Choice Products 9-Cube Storage Organizer. The shelving unit won’t be available for just $85 for long, so add this product to your cart now to secure the savings.

Democrats on the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Intelligence published a report alleging that USDT had become a key tool for the Iranian government.

A new Walmart (WMT) pricing patent and the spread of digital price tags in thousands of stores had shoppers worried that the country’s biggest retailer was about to charge different people different prices based on what its systems knew about them.

On Sept. 25, Walmart Inc. President and CEO John Furner responded to customers in a letter. He wrote that Walmart will not raise a shopper’s price based on their income, their shopping history, how urgently they need something, or what the company thinks they can afford.

The letter arrived on the same day the Federal Trade Commission closed public comments on personalized pricing, and it draws a clear line for how Walmart plans to use artificial intelligence and store technology in the years to come.

Furner puts Walmart’s pricing promise in writing

“We price the product, not the person,” Furner wrote on Walmart’s corporate site.

He linked the promise to Every Day Low Prices, Walmart’s more than 50-year-old rule of keeping the same shelf price for everyone, no matter who is buying.

Furner gave three promises. Walmart will not use personal data to adjust prices. Sparky, the AI shopping assistant Walmart launched this year, will not be used to raise prices or hide cheaper options. Customers still choose what data they share with the assistant.

“When you engage with Sparky, that’s an invitation to serve you better, not to use your personal information to set a personalized price,” Furner wrote.

Furner also explained why Walmart uses digital shelf labels. The electronic tags, now in about 2,300 stores, keep shelf prices matched to what customers pay at checkout, and they save workers the time of changing paper tags by hand. They are not there to change prices based on the time of day or the customer standing in front of them.

Walmart CEO John Furner detailed the retailer’s pricing pledge in a Sept. 25 letter to customers and Sam’s Club members.NurPhoto / Getty Images

Why regulators and rival retailers are paying close attention

Federal regulators are paying close attention to this issue. The FTC had just closed public comments on a proposal that would force companies to disclose when they use personal data to set different prices for different shoppers. Consumer advocates call this surveillance pricing. 

Walmart itself had faced questions this year after it won two US patents, PYMNTS reported. One was for automating online price discounts and the other for using machine learning to predict demand, though the company said neither would be used for pricing.

Some organizations still think disclosure alone is not enough to protect shoppers. Open Markets Institute, a nonprofit that studies competition in US markets, told the FTC that “transparency is not an adequate response to the power surveillance pricing gives corporations over their customers.” The group noted that dominant retailers still have significant power over shoppers who have no other store nearby.

Walmart is the country’s largest private employer and its biggest retailer. When it publicly rejects individual pricing, that message reaches every rival that watches Walmart. Grocery chains and delivery platforms now face a higher standard for how they use shopper data.

How the pledge fits Walmart’s broader business

Walmart runs big stores and Sam’s Club warehouses. It also sells products online, and rents ad space on its website and app to brands that want to reach shoppers. In its earnings report on Aug. 20, Walmart brought in revenue of $187.94 billion for the quarter, which is a 5.9% increase from a year earlier. 

Online sales rose 23% globally, and membership fees increased 17%. Walmart also raised its full-year profit forecast to a range of $2.80 to $2.87 a share. WMT shares closed at $107.98 on Thursday, Sept. 24, down 4.24% year to date, though the stock is up 5.21% over the past month.

More Retail Stocks:

Walmart escapes major legal penalty for a fraction of the cost

Morgan Stanley makes a buy call on tumbling retail giant stock

Two years after a costly retreat, Walmart tries health again

JPMorgan analyst Christopher Horvers, who has covered retail stocks at the bank for more than 10 years and has been right on about 59% of his calls, cut his Walmart price target to $125 in August.

However, he still tells investors to buy the stock. His team said the picture is mixed, with US same-store sales up just 2.6% and health and wellness sales slowing. Even so, the average Wall Street price target of about $128 suggests there’s still room for the stock to rise.

What Walmart shoppers and WMT investors should watch next

Furner clearly said that overall Walmart prices can still change based on the costs to buy and ship. If a supplier raises prices, or if fuel costs climb, the prices at the store will also increase. Shoppers who see higher prices in the coming months are most likely seeing the effect of those cost increases.

Walmart will still tailor its ads, its Walmart+ recommendations, and Sparky’s suggestions to each shopper’s history. The price itself does not change. Two shoppers picking up the same item pay the same amount.

For WMT investors, the real growth drivers are the parts of the business that make money without changing shelf prices. Walmart Connect (its ad business), Walmart Fulfillment Services (which helps third-party sellers ship products), and Walmart+ (its paid membership program) all earn higher profit margins than groceries.

All three depend on customer trust, and the pricing promise helps to protect that trust as they keep growing.

Related: BofA points to crucial Walmart numbers most investors ignore