You don’t need a cable subscription—or any subscription, for that matter—to watch the latest episodes of shows like “30 Rock,” “Gossip Girl,” “Nova,” “Modern Family,” and even “House Hunters” on your iPad.

A handful of broadcast and cable TV networks offer iPad apps that let you stream full episodes of their most recent shows, no strings attached.

Of course, the selection of shows you can watch is limited; for example, don’t expect a vast archive of old “Fantasy Island” or “Lost” episodes on ABC’s free iPad app. Instead, you’ll usually find only the most recent episodes of shows that are currently on the air.

Also, two of the biggest broadcast TV networks—CBS and Fox—have yet to serve up their own free streaming-TV apps for the iPad. That means no free “Simpsons” or “The Good Wife” on your tablet.

And one more thing: no fast-forwarding through the commercial breaks, which (at least) are typically no longer than 60 seconds or so.

The good news, though, is that these 5 TV apps for the iPad require nothing more than an Internet connection to work—in other words, no subscription fees (as with the Hulu and Netflix iPad apps, which cost $8 a month to use) and no need to “verify” that you’re a paying cable customer (as with the streaming TV apps for ESPN and TNT).

So, ready to tune in? Here we go…

1. ABC Player 

 
ABC offers a generous selections of free streaming TV shows on its iPad app, including primetime shows like “The Bachelorette,” “Castle,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Modern Family,” and “Private Practice,” as well as daytime shows (“The View,” “General Hospital”) and news programming (“20/20,” “Good Morning America,” “Nightline,” and “This Week”).

You can also check out your viewing history and a weekly broadcast schedule, as well as pick up streaming TV shows from where you left off.

Get ready for commercials, though—lots of them, and no, you can’t skip ‘em.

Download: ABC Player

2. The CW Network

 
Among the shows available on The CW’s iPad app: “90210,” “America’s Next Top Model,” “Gossip Girl,” “Nikita,” “One Tree Hill,” “Supernatural,” “L.A. Complex,” and “The Vampire Diaries.”

The app also offers photo galleries for its top shows and access to its various Twitter and Facebook feeds, plus a weekly programming guide.

Missing in action: a history of the shows you’ve streamed, although the app will let you resume a show right where you left off.

Download: The CW Network

3. NBC 

 
The sleek NBC app boasts full episodes of prime-time shows like “America’s Got Talent,” “Community,” “The Firm,” “30 Rock,” “Parenthood,” “Parks and Recreation,” among others. Also on the list: full episodes of Leno and Jimmy Fallon, along with the daytime soap “Days of Our Lives” and the weekly news program “Rock Center.”

Yes, photo galleries are included, plus a series of trivia quizzes and the ability to create a favorites list if you sign in with your Facebook account.

Download: NBC

4. PBS 

 
Dozens of popular and lesser-known shows are available on the PBS app for the iPad, including “American Masters,” “Antiques Roadshow,” “Frontline,” “Masterpiece Theatre” (or “Masterpiece,” as they’re now calling it), “Nature,” “Nova,” “PBS Newshour,” and “Washington Week.”

Sorry, no quizzes or photo galleries here, but there is a weekly programming guide, or you can sign in to create a list of your favorite shows or check your viewing history.

Best of all? No commercial breaks, although you’ll have to sit through a brief clip from a sponsor at the beginning of most episodes.

Download: PBS

5. HGTV To Go (download)

 
If you’re a “House Hunters” fanatic, get ready to be happy. We’re talking full episodes of “House Hunters” and “House Hunters International,” along with “Design Star,” “Selling New York,” “Selling L.A.,” “Holmes on Holmes,” “Property Virgins,” “Curb Appeal,” and “Room Crashers.”

You can also check out photo galleries, view HGTV’s Twitter feed and Facebook page, and add shows to your “favorites” list.

Surprisingly enough, you won’t have to suffer through any commercial breaks, although that could change when and if HGTV manages to whip up some sponsors.

Download: HGTV To Go

Have any other good streaming TV apps for the iPad to share? Post ‘em below!

Tagged as: iPad