1)XBMC
Download XBMC on basically any modern computer/Operating system , then download install the repository installer here, then enable the BlueCop repository, then go to Video Add-ons, and install the "Free Cable" addon.
Here's a tutorial.
Xbmc also has plugins for Youtube, Hulu (for free, you don't need to pay for Hulu Plus), Podcasts (Apple's itunes podcast library). The World news Live Plugin, which you can download here gives you Al Jazeera, CNN, BBC, CNBC, France24, Russia Today, Euronews all as a 24/7 live stream.
There's also a Fox News plugin that you can install, installation instructions are here.
2)Roku
Buy a Roku Box, use Netflix ($7.99/month) Hulu Plus $7, Amazon Prime $75/year to watch your TV programs on demand.
3)Boxee
Buy a Boxee box (which lets you watch over-the-air channels) use Netflix ($7.99/month) Hulu Plus $7 to watch your TV programs on demand.
1. Get the Stable XBMC version at the top;
http://xbmc.org/download/
2. Get the Repository Zip File
http://passion-xbmc.org/addons/?Page=View&ID=plugin.program.repo.installer
3. Get the Bluecop Repository Zip file
http://code.google.com/p/bluecop-xbmc-repo/downloads/list
4. XBMC installs the zip files as zips, menu is across middle of XBMC program (go to the far right: System > Settings > Add-ons > “Install From ZIP”);
Add on both Zip files like instructions in middle of this page marked “Free Cable”
http://www.windows7hacker.com/index.php/2012/01/2-alternative-iceflims-xbmc-plugin-that-lets-you-to-stream-videos-and-movies/
a. To install, go to System > Settings > Add-ons > “Install From ZIP” select the repo zip. Once that’s done, make sure restart XBMC.
b. Navigate to System > Settings > Add-ons > “Get Add-ons” > “bluecop Add-on Repository” > Free Cable to install the plugin.
c. Once the plugin has installed go back to main menu > Video > Add-ons > Free Cable.
From here you can select a list of cable providers and stream shows from each of their networks.
(me again) Good luck and good night!