The streaming space is getting more crowded and expensive. Once you subscribe to the services that have your favorite shows, you could end up paying more than you did for cable. But there are still plenty of TV channels you can stream for free, including the 500+ available through Sling Freestream. Here's how to access the free streaming service without a credit card or even creating an account.

Like Roku, Sling Freestream is a free, ad-supported streaming service with over 500 live TV channels, plus over 40,000 on-demand TV shows and movies. It works similarly to other streaming services, but doesn’t require a credit card or a paid Sling subscription to use. You don’t even have to sign up for an account (more on that later).

While you can get a free one-month trial of Sling’s paid Premium Pass, that’s separate from Freestream, which is always free and has no trial. In other words, if you’re asked for your credit card information, you’ve come to the wrong place.

To make sure you're in the right (i.e. free) place, look for the Freestream logo with the text "Always FREE TV" underneath when you open the app or visit the website.