A TV that connects to the Internet can replace a computer, but playing videos from the network still remains its secondary task, and broadcasting television channels comes first. The capabilities of smart television equipment and TV providers allow viewers to rewind the broadcast and access archives of television programs. Therefore, manufacturers of TV receivers and third-party developers create special applications for SMART TV - to watch TV channels for free or by subscription. Below are 15 programs that are most popular among users of different platforms.
TOP 3 universal applications
The multi-platform programs below are suitable for most owners of SMART TVs and media players.
ViNTERA.TV
This is a free application that works on TVs of different brands, Internet TV set-top boxes and mobile gadgets running Android or iOS. It allows you to watch online TV without registration, but with advertising, which is absent when viewing channels of the selected provider. The program uses playlists in .m3u format, which can be downloaded from the websites of service providers. The list of free channels (except for 20 public ones) is determined by the provider.
Important! To play streaming video in SD quality, the Internet connection speed must be at least 2 Mbit/s, for HD - from 3 Mbit/s, for 3D content - at least 4 Mbit/s.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Wide selection of channels and broadcasts, simple interface, quick download and installation, work on many device models. | Difficulty setting up due to the need to search and add playlists, advertising. |
Smotreshka
This is a program for watching channels (including HD TV) on smart TVs Samsung (models from 2013 to the present), LG (models from 2012), Philips and Sony (based on Android TV), as well as mobile devices. It provides paid access to more than two hundred channels in Russian and several foreign languages. This service requires registration through an Internet provider. You can pause playback to return to the show within a week, and you can resume watching on another device. It’s easy to search for channels in the thematic catalog or by keywords. In addition, the user is given access to thousands of movies.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| High quality video, large number of channels, simultaneous playback of content on three devices, broadcast archive. | The cost is regulated by the communication service provider, so payment may vary (from 150 rubles per month for the minimum set of channels to 700 or more for the maximum). |
MEGOGO – TV and Cinema
This application for watching TV and movies (from the extensive Megogo catalog) is designed for Smart TVs, set-top boxes, gadgets and computers. It supports Full HD, 4K, as well as 3D resolution. The program has more than 220 channels (including interactive ones), a video archive up to 2 weeks deep, and the ability to connect any 5 devices to your account. The cheapest package (100 channels) costs only 197 rubles per month.
On a note! The company regularly holds promotions and distributes promotional codes for discounts.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Playback on any platforms without intermediaries and additional equipment, unlimited number of devices for viewing, high-quality content, film library (by subscription), no advertising. | Fee for additional options. |
View via browser
If a person does not want to install third-party applications to watch television programs using a smartphone, then he can carry out this action through a browser. The problem is that not all such sites are adapted for mobile applications.
glaz.tv
Glaz.tv is a platform containing more than 100 channels. On some of them, the broadcast may be interrupted. The site is adapted for mobile applications. Advertising banners are present.
Interntv.ru
A site that broadcasts Russian and American channels. At the beginning of viewing, the user will have to watch an advertisement. There is no choice of picture quality.
wink.rt.ru
Wink.rt.ru has a large number of popular programs. The site indicates: categories and data transfer speed. Using this platform, the user can select a certain picture quality and channel viewing mode.
After reading the article, the user realized that any of the proposed methods for creating a mini-TV in a phone has its advantages and disadvantages. If the user still cannot decide on an option, then he is recommended to try several at once.
TOP 3 applications for Samsung Smart TV
Below is a list of the most downloaded programs for the Tizen platform, which have collected the largest number of positive user reviews.
ForkPlayer
It is a browser that converts and displays different types of content, from website content to media files. It can be installed on new (released after 2014) or old TV models (2011-2014, but it is possible that in this case you will have to use unofficial versions of the program). Downloading is possible from the developer’s website or other portals, for example, 4pda. Channels are added in the form of playlists, which can be found on provider websites or various forums (user collections). The list of available channels and broadcasts is constantly changing and expanding.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Huge selection of channels from different sources, no fees. | The quality of video and audio is set by the creators of the playlist; the setup process differs for TVs of different series and is not always clear to a beginner. |
GetsTV
This widget is intended for TVs of the J, K, M, N, R series (2015-2019), but there is a version for earlier models (2010-2015). It is downloaded from the official website or third-party resources and includes television broadcasts, a catalog of films, TV series and cartoons for every taste. The program works with free TV channels (20 all-Russian) and uses playlists that are updated regularly. Dozens of HD channels can be accessed by paying for a VIP TV subscription (registration required).
| Advantages | Flaws |
| There are many channels that are sorted into categories, and the catalog is constantly being updated. | Searching for information to configure software on different TV models. |
Tricolor Online TV
This application can be installed on TVs with Tizen OS version 2.3 or higher through the Samsung Apps store. Tricolor subscribers receive expanded functionality, but those who are not considering concluding an agreement with the company can also subscribe to channel packages. For the software to work correctly, you need Internet access with a speed above 12 Mbit/s and activation of the main service package . To watch 115 TV channels throughout the year, you will have to pay 1,500 rubles. To expand the list, watch television in HD and Ultra HD you need to pay extra.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| High-quality content for every taste, ease of connection and configuration. | Decreased video quality when the speed decreases, connection breaks when connecting via WiFi (it is recommended to connect the TV to the router using an Ethernet cable), subscriptions for a year. |
Watching TV in English
Suddenly remembering that the Internet is a global network, we decided to test applications with access to English-language television. We regret to note that we did not find such aggregators of English-language channels. Programs promising access to 150 world programs produced pictures like this.
But such applications did not contain anything other than advertising.
TOP 3 applications for LG Smart TV
The list of TOP software for webOS-based TVs presented below was also compiled based on the number of positive user ratings.
Simple Smart IPTV
There is also an abbreviated version of the name - SS IPTV. This is the first program for viewing IP TV on TVs of the brand in question. It works in conjunction with digital TV providers, so the number of channels is determined by the service provider, but the all-Russian twenty are available everywhere. The application supports playlists, and unencrypted ones can be freely downloaded on your provider’s website. This software is compatible with video streams from a number of OTT operators.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Easy setup, no need to enter into an agreement with a third-party communications service provider. | Not working with all providers, lack of a unified tariff schedule. |
Smart IPTV
This is another program that allows you to download playlists to play OTT streams and watch IPTV. However, after 7 days of installation, you will need to pay $5 for the application.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Clear interface, large selection of channels, one-time purchase of software, low cost. | Dependence on digital TV providers. |
LG Plus Channels
This program was created in collaboration with the Megogo service. After paying for the subscription, domestic and foreign TV channels, selections of films and TV series become available. Cost - from 197 rubles.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| High-quality video and audio, the ability to add packages. | Poor quality when Internet connection speed decreases. |
IVI (Download)
Ivi is a full-fledged home TV and cinema “in one bottle” for Android. One of the best existing programs with convenient controls and hundreds of thousands of films, cartoons, TV series, and TV channels.
• More than a million downloads, rating 4.5 • Video playback quality is excellent. • Free viewing with advertising, you can pay and watch without it. The duration of the commercial is about 15 seconds.
• A huge number of TV channels, both federal and cable.
• Videos can be searched by popularity or title. The choice is simply huge; there are films for every taste and genre. You can put the movie aside and watch it later. Over time, you will form your own collection.
Verdict: Definitely a must-download. IVI is designed specifically for mobile devices. A colossal collection of films and a huge selection of TV channels compensate for the seconds of waiting on the commercial.
TOP 3 applications for Android TV
The top three best software for installation on TVs and set-top boxes running Android OS were compiled by the number of search queries and downloads with a positive history.
Kodi
This is a universal free media player that can play IPTV playlists (.m3u format) provided by providers.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Multifunctional, supports many devices. | Difficult setup for inexperienced users, problems after updating (on certain models of SMART devices). |
Lazy IPTV
This application provides the ability to watch IPTV (when adding playlists) and torrent TV (an external player is required). But the performance of the program depends on the speed of the Internet.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Possibility to select many channels of different quality. | Dependence on digital TV providers, the need for careful configuration (especially for working in P2P networks). |
Planer TV
This software provides access to 37 Russian channels. The main requirements for correct operation are an Android version of at least 4.1 and a connection speed of 1.5 Mbit/s.
On a note! The positive side of the software is that the picture size can be adjusted for viewing on a TV receiver of any size. The negative point is that the application is not available on Google Play.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Free application without advertising, stable operation on consoles. | Inability to switch channels using the usual buttons on the remote control (you must use numbers or crosshairs with arrows), a small set of channels. |
IPTV on your phone - watch a large number of channels on Android and iPhone
Another method of watching online TV for free on Android and iPhone is to use IPTV playlists with a large (hundreds) of TV channels available for free and open them using special applications that support such playlists. The bottom line comes down to this:
- Find the latest IPTV playlist on the Internet (they are updated regularly, channels may stop working). The most common and widely supported format is M3U, but other options are available, such as XML.
- Download this playlist to your phone (sometimes you just need to copy the link).
- Import the playlist into the IPTV application for your platform. Available television channels will be loaded from the playlist and, by selecting the one you need, you can launch it.
- For example, below is a screenshot of the popular Lazy IPTV application, available for free on the Play Store (supports importing M3U playlists downloaded to your phone). Lazy IPTV in Play Market.
- Another application that imports playlists (M3U or XML) into via a link from the Internet (shown in the video below) is SunnyLight IPTV. Application in Play Market.
There are a significant number of such applications in the official application stores for Android and iPhone, and you can easily find them by searching for “IPTV” - some work more stable on some devices, some on others, but you can always find the right one. It is also easy to find the necessary playlists for import. Further actions, as a rule, do not present any particular difficulties and even a novice user can cope with them.
TOP 3 free applications
To watch TV channels via the Internet, it is not necessary to subscribe or enter into an agreement with a provider . Below are the best programs through which the viewer can enjoy television without paying.
PeersTV
This is a multi-platform application that allows you to watch online TV for free, but with advertising. It automatically recognizes the provider and downloads playlists. After registration, the user will be able to save individual programs, series and videos in their profile to view them later. All content is sorted into categories. The service also has paid subscriptions, but the basic set (more than 150 channels) will satisfy the tastes of most viewers.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Large selection of channels, work on different devices. | Advertising, which can be disabled for 99 rubles per month. |
FRY!TV
This program allows you to watch more than 1,500 channels for free, but to do this you must install the Ace Stream application. The software works using torrent TV technology.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Excellent quality without a hint of advertising, compatible with many devices. | Requires careful setup. |
SPB TV
This service provides more than a hundred free channels, but with advertising. The program works on LG and Samsung TVs (released no earlier than 2013), Panasonic (from 2014) and selected Phillips models. Registration on the site is required to view. There are subscriptions.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| High-quality, legal and free content with the ability to add paid services, easy setup. | There is no division of channels into paid and free (included in the general list), navigation only through the main menu (the remote control is not supported). |
Watching TV on TV channel websites and third-party online television websites
If you once needed to watch some TV program from your phone, and the next time such a need will not arise soon, perhaps there is no particular benefit from installing applications for online TV on Android or iPhone, just go to the official website in your mobile browser TV channel or to third-party resources with the ability to watch live broadcasts.
You can find a list of official sites for live broadcasts of popular TV channels in a separate instruction: How to watch online TV for free in a browser and on a computer. The same instructions also list third-party sites that provide free and completely legal access to the main online terrestrial television channels - in some respects, these sites may be more convenient to view and work better on a mobile device than official resources.
How to set up the program
The setup methods for each application are different, and the process itself can be quite long and complex, so after installation you should refer to the help section on the developer's website . If this information is missing, you should look at thematic portals where program installation files, detailed instructions, errors and methods for eliminating them are published. In many cases, you will need to check in advance your hardware model and operating system version, as well as the MAC address of the device.
Summarize. Most applications for watching TV channels designed for SMART devices have a simple interface. If you install and configure such software correctly, the doors will open to the world of television, which is not limited to federal and local channels. It is important to remember that many providers (Rostelecom, NTV, Tricolor and others) have already released programs for smart TVs. This will help narrow down your search if you have a valid agreement with digital TV operators.
