Detective William Murdoch has been solving crimes with proto-forensics since 2008, which is a lifetime in TV years. Honestly, trying to figure out how to watch Murdoch Mysteries shouldn't feel like one of the Inspector's "fingermark" puzzles, but between international licensing deals and some platforms losing seasons randomly, it’s a bit of a mess. You’ve got Yannick Bisson looking perpetually youthful while the rest of us age significantly just trying to find Season 12.
If you are in the United States, your primary hub is Acorn TV. They’ve basically staked their reputation on being the home for British and Commonwealth procedurals. They usually get the new seasons first after the initial Canadian broadcast. It’s a subscription service, obviously. But if you already pay for Amazon Prime Video, you can add Acorn as a "channel," which keeps your billing in one place. Some people prefer the standalone app because the Prime interface for "channels" can be clunky when you're trying to track which episode you just finished.
The Canadian Connection: CBC Gem
Since the show is a CBC original, Canada has the best deal, period. If you’re north of the border, CBC Gem is the gold standard. It’s free with ads. You can pay a few bucks a month to ditch the commercials, but the fact remains that every single episode is right there. It’s the source.
✨ Don't miss: Why Scarlet Witch Is Still the Avengers' Most Complicated Power Player
For those elsewhere using a VPN to access CBC Gem, keep in mind that the site has become much stricter about blocking known server IP addresses. It’s a cat-and-mouse game. Sometimes it works; sometimes you get a "content not available in your region" screen that ruins your evening plans.
Hulu and the Great Season Gap
Hulu used to be a reliable spot for Murdoch, but their library is often incomplete. It’s frustrating. You’ll be mid-binge and realize they only have seasons 1 through 6, or they’ve suddenly dropped a random chunk of the middle years. If you’re a casual viewer just looking for a "vibe" and don't care about the long-term character arcs—like the glacial, multi-season evolution of William and Julia’s relationship—Hulu is fine. If you’re a completionist, Hulu will break your heart.
Then there’s Ovation. In the U.S., Ovation TV broadcasts the show under the title The Artful Detective. It’s the same show. Why did they change the name? Likely because they thought American audiences wouldn't click on a name like "Murdoch," which is a bit insulting to our intelligence, but here we are. You can often find episodes on the Ovation Now app if you have a cable login.
Breaking Down the Free Options
Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) is a legitimate lifesaver for budget-conscious fans. Because it’s owned by Amazon, the streaming quality is high. The catch? Ads. Lots of them. You’ll be right in the middle of Murdoch explaining a complex electrical invention to Constable Crabtree, and suddenly you’re watching a detergent commercial.
📖 Related: Why Movies of the 1960s Still Make Modern Blockbusters Look Boring
Pluto TV often has a dedicated "More TV Drama" or "British TV" channel that loops Murdoch episodes. You can’t choose the episode; you just watch whatever is on. It’s like old-school linear television. Kinda nostalgic, mostly annoying if you’re trying to follow a specific plotline.
The Roku Channel frequently carries several seasons for free. Like Freevee, it’s ad-supported. Their library tends to fluctuate, so if you see it there, watch it fast before the licensing agreement expires.
Public Libraries. Don’t sleep on the Hoopla or Kanopy apps. If your local library participates, you can stream seasons for free using your library card. It’s the most Murdoch-approved way to watch, honestly. Very civic-minded.
What about the UK and Australia?
In the UK, Alibi is the primary home for the show. They are usually quite consistent with new releases. For streaming, Sky Go and NOW (formerly NOW TV) carry it. Over in Australia, 7plus has been known to host seasons, though Acorn TV remains the most stable bet for fans Down Under.
The show has been running for 18+ seasons. That is over 250 episodes. If you’re looking to buy them outright because you’re tired of the "streaming shuffle," Apple TV and Vudu sell digital season passes. It’s expensive. However, you own it. No one can take it away because a contract expired in the middle of the night.
Navigating the Specials and Movies
Before the series we know and love, there were three TV movies: Except the Dying, Poor Tom is Cold, and Under the Dragon's Tail. These starred Peter Outerbridge as Murdoch, not Yannick Bisson. They are darker, grittier, and honestly, a bit jarring if you’re used to the sunnier tone of the series. You can usually find these on Acorn TV or occasionally on YouTube via legitimate mystery channels.
Then there are the Christmas specials. These are often treated as standalone events. Sometimes streaming platforms list them as part of the regular season, and sometimes they are tucked away in a "Specials" tab. If you’re binge-watching on a platform and the plot suddenly jumps forward, check if you missed a feature-length holiday episode. They usually contain major character developments.
A Note on Physical Media
Believe it or not, Murdoch fans are some of the last people keeping the DVD market alive. Because the streaming rights are such a jigsaw puzzle, many people just buy the Blu-ray sets. The "Mega-Sets" are actually reasonably priced if you calculate the cost-per-hour of entertainment. Plus, you get the behind-the-scenes featurettes where the cast talks about how uncomfortable those wool suits are in the Ontario summer heat.
Why Finding Murdoch is Getting Harder
Streaming services are currently in a "consolidation" phase. They are shedding content to save on residuals. This means a show like Murdoch Mysteries, which is produced by Shaftesbury Films and distributed by various entities, gets caught in the crossfire. One day it's on Netflix (it was, years ago), the next it's gone.
The complexity of the show's distribution is largely due to its success. Because it’s a massive hit in France (where it’s called Les Enquêtes de Murdoch), the UK, and Canada, the rights are sliced up into tiny pieces. There isn't one single global "Murdoch Home."
Practical Next Steps for the Avid Viewer
If you want the path of least resistance, sign up for the Acorn TV 7-day free trial. It is the most direct way to see if the interface works for you and if they have the specific season you're hunting for.
📖 Related: Giants Earth Wind Fire: Why This 1970s Super Tour Actually Mattered
Alternatively, download the Freevee app and search for the show there first. It’s the best way to watch a significant chunk of the series without spending a dime, provided you can stomach the occasional ad for life insurance or cat food. If you're a Canadian resident or have the means to access it, CBC Gem remains the undisputed king for the most current episodes and the deepest archive.
Check your local listings if you still have cable; Ovation remains the primary linear broadcaster in the States, and they often run marathons on weekends. Whatever you choose, start from Season 1. The show changes a lot, and watching Murdoch's awkward social evolution is half the fun.