Clueless in Canada

I am about to install Kodi on a laptop running Linux Mint 18.1. However, from a quick look thru the forums I see names of add-ons such as a “PVR”. I need to know if this direction makes sense.

My question is: what do I need in terms of hardware and software to simply stream network news, PBS, and some series from the BBC, and NHL hockey games.

Where I am, I cannot directly access PBS, Canadian news networks, or hockey without a subscription, etc.

I had tried streaming a few years ago, through free proxy servers, but access suddenly stopped at for all channels.

As I have no income at this time, free services would obviously be desirable.

Thanks
Lou.