Today, thanks to development information technologies, development of hardware capacity and increase in Internet connection speeds, you can even watch TV on mobile phone. This article reviews programs for watching TV on Android.
SPB TV
SPB TV is the undisputed leader in the field of software for watching TV shows on mobile OS. The developers directly cooperate with TV channels, so the end user receives legal content, and the quality of the video is constantly improving.
Main advantages of SPB TV:
- a simple interface that any user can understand;
- Android TV support;
- stable operation and quick launch of the application;
- picture-in-picture function;
- the ability to place the video window on top of other programs;
- access to TV program guides;
- customizable reminders;
- ability to change video quality.
After the first launch, the best application for watching TV on Android - SPB TV - will ask the user to register. It will require you to enter your date of birth, gender and e-mail. The authenticity of the data is not checked, so the user can remain incognito.
Main screen
After entering the information, the application will open the main screen with a list of TV channels. The list will display images of the program currently broadcast. Switching between landscape and portrait orientation is done by simply rotating the screen relative to the horizon. However, this information only applies to the menu. Videos are always displayed in landscape orientation.
While watching TV, the user can lock the screen so that the video does not turn off after an accidental click. A customizable timer is provided to automatically turn off the program. The function is useful and in demand, but built-in Android applications for watching TV online are rarely equipped with it. Swiping on the left side of the touchscreen will change the brightness of the backlight, and on the right - the sound volume. You can enable an alternative player in the settings. This option will help get rid of instability in the application if it “glitches” for no reason.
"On top of screen" function and additional options for sorting the list of TV channels
Once you enable the Screen Fit feature, the video will appear in a small window that will remain on the display even after you launch other applications. It can be moved and scaled. On weaker devices, enabling the feature will reduce performance.
The list of channels is changing. The user has access to the functions of deleting programs, adding new ones, and moving channels to the favorites list. Since the SPB TV application only provides access to legal content, you will need to subscribe to watch some TV channels. Moreover, you need to buy packages separately. It is not possible to subscribe to all channels at the same time.
Peers TV
- the ability to watch TV programs from the archive;
- creating your own channel list;
- broadcasting content to large screens;
- adding your own IPTV lists.
After the first launch, registration will not be required, and the phone screen will display In addition to the names of content providers, the list also contains the names of TV shows currently broadcast. After tapping on any item from the list, a video will open on the display.
For users who cannot watch their favorite program, the ability to launch TV shows from the archive is available. Video recordings are stored on Peers TV servers for two weeks.
Free TV is represented by a much smaller number of popular channels than in SPB TV, but the user can add his own IPTV playlist. In addition, the program provides access to some channels for an upfront fee. The price of the cheapest packages is 60 rubles per month.
If any moment of the broadcast is uninteresting, you can waste it. Of course, this feature does not always work; it is usually available during the broadcast of films and sitcoms. A selection of the latest news is always available in the application.
Not only simple, but also outdated. On the one hand, this can be written down as a disadvantage. But on the other hand, the program works stably, thanks to the use of only proven developments.
"RoTV"
"RoTV" is an application for watching TV on Android with the simplest possible interface. All controls are located on two screens. The deliberate simplification of the UI did not affect the quality of the broadcast video.
User registration is not required to use RoTV. Once launched, the application will show channel icons. After tapping on any of them, a video will play on the display. The player has only two additional functions - stopping the broadcast and displaying the timeline. You can't sort, but you can create your own favorites list.
RoTV is a low-functional application for watching TV on Android, but it provides access to most popular channels in Russia. The simplicity of the application has a beneficial effect on its stability. Crashes and freezes are excluded. The only drawback of RoTV is a large amount of advertising.
Crystal TV
In the shop Google applications Crystal TV is one of the most popular in its field. The history of the program on mobile platforms began back in the days of widespread use. Today, CrystalTV is also available for computers running Windows and macOS.
The app for watching TV on Android is absolutely free, but you will have to subscribe to watch most channels. The package price for three months of use is $9.
Not only inconvenient, but also ugly compared to competitors' products. The only interesting feature of the application is "Picture in Picture". But the option is convenient to use only on tablets with a large screen diagonal.
"Online TV"
And this application for watching TV on Android - "Online TV" - will appeal primarily to those users who are interested not only in Russian television, but also in foreign ones. There are a lot of domestic channels here, but about the same number of foreign ones. Users who have installed “Online TV” have access to broadcasts from American, French, Indian, and Turkish channels. And each update adds to the list of countries.
If you don’t need channels from a particular country, you can turn off their display in the list. Video quality settings are stingy. The user can select one of the options: “low”, “medium”, “high”. There is no manual switching of resolution and bitrate. The biggest drawback of Online TV is its low stability. During operation, the program may freeze for a while or end with an error.
"Galaktika TV"
"Galaktika TV" is a utility that will allow you to watch not only free TV, but also listen to the radio. The developers call their application unique, but it is not able to compete with the undisputed leader of the sector - SPB TV. The only significant difference between the program and similar ones is that it is displayed not just in the form of a list, but sorted into categories.
It makes sense to download the free version only to familiarize yourself with the capabilities of the application. The demo version includes five channels. To expand the list of channels, you will need to go through the registration procedure, and then sign up for a paid subscription. By paying money, the user will not only get access to broadcasts, but also the ability to watch TV shows from the archive. They are stored there for no more than two weeks. Subscription costs $6 per month.
In this article we have collected best apps to watch TV on Android, which must be installed on your phone.
Some of them were launched quite recently, while others have already been tested for years of stable operation.
We're confident that any of these apps will make your life easier and help you get the most out of your phone or tablet.
Below the description of each program there is a link to Google Play or the company’s official website, so you don’t have to worry about viruses.
If you are using Windows, check out
Lime HD TV
Lime HD is a mega-popular TV viewing program with over 5 million installations.
More than 140 channels are available for free: news, comedy, sports, children's and regional.
A TV program for the week ahead and the function of adding sources to favorites are also available.
SPB TB
SPB TV is one of the best applications for television broadcasts on mobile devices.
Among the features it is worth highlighting the following functions:
- The ability to watch the program using other programs. For example, chat with friends and open a player window that will be displayed on top of messages.
- Audio Only mode. Useful for saving money Mobile Internet or listen to the broadcast on headphones on the way to work.
- Automatically adjusts channel quality depending on the speed of the Internet connection for smooth operation even on 3G.
Peers.TV
Pierce TV is one of the leaders in this area with more than ten million installations and excellent ratings in the app store.
In addition to standard functions, the following features are available:
- Rewind the broadcast; (the server saves the recording and allows users to return to the place they missed)
- Free movies, TV series and 150 channels for every taste;
- Regular author's collections on any topic: children's, news, music, sports and others.
ViNTERA TV
A good, high-quality program with a minimalistic design and standard functionality. Can boast big amount TV channels from different countries, so it’s suitable for learning English or German.
The player has a free version and a paid subscription; With the help of optimization, you can comfortably watch movies with a 3G connection.
LAZY IPTV
A great option for watching IPTV on Android! The program does not provide access to TV channels; you will first need to download an m3u playlist.
It is possible to launch videos from VK and Youtube. Channel viewing history, adding to favorites and parental controls are available.
Applications for watching movies and TV series
HD VideoBox
The best program for watching TV series, movies and cartoons for free. Data is automatically searched on popular sites, for example, filmix, moonwalk and others.
The database contains many thousands of films on any topic and for any age. The application is illegal, so it cannot be downloaded from the official Android store.
SeasonHit
Seasonit is a convenient way to watch thousands of movies with flexible settings appearance application, saving to favorites and marking watched episodes.
It is possible to select voiceovers and translations of series to watch in another language or with voiceovers from your favorite actors.
Zona
Zone is an application with more than 20 thousand free materials, good optimization for slow Internet and no viruses.
Applications with Ukrainian TV channels
Youtv
One of the few high-quality programs for watching Ukrainian television on Android. Dozens of regional and national sources with the ability to connect international channels in Russian, Belarusian and English.
Sweet.tv
Probably all Ukrainians have heard about Sweet.tv, because recently there has been active advertising on TV and on banners in large cities.
5 thousand films, TV series and exclusive new products from HBO without advertising (Game of Thrones, Chernobyl and others) for a modest monthly fee.
The development team truly cares about their customers. The following functions are available in the application: division into categories, 4K quality, rewinding the broadcast back in time, changing voiceover options, archive of what you watched and favorites.
Our selection today includes the best applications for Android and iOS, with which you can watch live channels and archived recordings of programs. It is possible that one of these applications will encourage you to give up cable television, because they have a larger selection of channels, and what’s important is that they are all free and work not only on smartphones and tablets, but also on set-top boxes that connect to the TV.
This application is not available in Google Play, since its developer believes that when large quantities users' channels will go down. At Apple App Store it is presented. It cannot play videos on its own and only works with a third-party player like VLC. The application has over a hundred channels, supports an auto-updating playlist, and has no advertising, subscriptions, or other methods of monetization. Definitely - this is the best of all applications for watching TV.
PeersTV is another great app. It has more than a hundred channels with live broadcasting, as well as broadcast recordings. In addition, it supports broadcasting to a TV from a smartphone via a Chromecast set-top box. The disadvantages of this application include advertising, which requires money to be turned off. Sometimes some channels disappear from it (for example, TNT).
ViNTERA.TV displays content in different quality modes (SD, HD and even 3D) and broadcasts not only over-the-air channels, but also channels from local provider networks (IPTV). Like the previous application, it is monetized by advertising and a subscription fee for turning it off. There are no archives of recordings in this application, and some channels are only available by subscription for money.
Android /
iOS )
This application has less than a hundred working Russian-language channels with films, TV series, music and sports (although it claims about 120). It has more disadvantages than other similar applications: intrusive advertising, frequent connection interruptions, no video stream quality settings, and no archive of recordings. On iOS, this app supports AirPlay.
IPTV shows any channels from m3u and xspf playlists through a streaming player and is essentially just a VLC shell. Initially, only those channels whose owners are not opposed to such applications are available in it, but you can also find playlists with paid channels (although this, of course, is illegal). Advertising on IPTV can be turned off for money after purchasing the PRO version for 79 rubles. This application is not available on iOS.
SPB TV is one of oldest programs for watching TV channels on mobile devices and set-top boxes. More than two hundred channels are available in it, but only a small part is open for free; the rest require a subscription for money (from 99 cents per month). Some programs are archived, and video can be output from a smartphone to a TV via Chromecast, Miracast and WiDi.
Today we will talk about the 5 best applications for watching online TV for free on Android devices. These applications work smoothly and are constantly being developed and updated. This online services, to watch free TV channels. You just need to launch the program and watch the channel; some applications may contain advertising, which can always be disabled for a small fee.
Top 5 applications for free viewing of iptv channels on Android (TV Box) devices
Opens our top 5TVonline services for Android devices very popular Lazy IPTV program. This application contains a channel search, a function for adding third-party iptv playlists (which can be downloaded here), and adding popular channels to favorites. There are a bunch of settings, you can customize everything to your liking according to your preference. The Wizards system is available - a tool for importing playlists and TV program sources. You can add a super trash playlist, etc. To play playlists, you need a third-party media player, since the program does not have its own. It is best to use MX Player or VLC Player; to view the super trash, the Ace Stream platform must be installed. Playlists from Rostelecom, softorbit and torrent TV also work. There are channel logos. This application contains advertising, but it is so unobtrusive that it will not interfere with you while watching your favorite TV channel.
In second place is the Planer TV program. A good program that is actively developing, new TV channels are being added. At the moment, all major Russian TV channels are present. There is a TV program that is updated in real time. HD channels are also available and work flawlessly. There are minimal settings; you can select the video quality, interface type (phone, tablet, TV or set-top box) and image format (original full screen or scaling). This is a very simple application that allows you to watch your favorite TV channels in good quality without spending a lot of internet on it.
In third place we have the Bive TV program. In this application, by default, preinstalled iptv playlist super trash, To play this playlist, the Ace Stream, MX Player or VLC Player applications must be installed on your Android device. Bive TV has various categories and a huge number of channels. Excellent picture quality, channels can be added to favorites. The only disadvantage of this program, which may be significant for some but not for others, is the lack of a television program.
The fourth place is occupied by a program called Eye TV. There are already significantly more channels by an order of magnitude, there are sports, music, movie channels, etc. Channels launch quickly, image quality is acceptable. The only negative is the lack of a TV program. Russian, Crimean and regional channels are available, many educational channels such as History, Discovery, Animal Planet, etc. Sometimes there are some glitches and lags in the program, but this is quickly corrected with the release of the next program update.
TV hour is very good program, works smoothly. There are no settings, the program has its own player, just download, install and watch. Channels load quickly and image quality is acceptable this program its simplicity deserves our attention. There are both Russian and Ukrainian channels, of course there is some advertising, which is typical for free programs. This program deserves to take fifth place in our top.
TV - Online is an interactive aggregator of virtual television broadcasts of popular online television channels around the world for Android. Distinctive feature This aggregator is the absolute absence of paid channels.
Can create a TV program based on the preferences of a particular user. Can send notifications about the start of broadcasting of your favorite virtual TV shows marked as favorites. Equipped with an integrated sorter and filter to simplify the search for the desired online TV channel.
TV functionality - Online
- Synchronizes with the server part, loads the current list of TV channels available for viewing and the “fresh” TV program, and displays them in the interface;
- Sorts the list of TV channels by genre and thematic categories/countries and/or filters in accordance with user-specified filtering rules;
- Remembers the most frequently watched TV channels and virtual TV shows by the user, creates a feed-feed of potentially interesting TV shows based on them;
- Displays the “fresh” TV program, redirects the user to detailed description transmission by clicking on its name;
- Notifies the user about planned and implemented changes to the TV program;
- Remembers TV shows marked as favorites and notifies you in advance of their broadcast for a specified period of time.
Aggregator features
- More than 250 virtual TV broadcasts of online TV channels from 18 countries right on your smartphone/tablet;
- Constant expansion of the list of available TV channels;
- Sorting by country/genre-thematic categories and filtering by specified attributes;
- An interactive TV program guide that allows you to see a detailed description of the TV show you like in one click;
- An intelligent system for identifying potentially interesting TV programs for a specific user;
- Automatic, customizable notifications about the start of selected TV shows and any changes in the TV program;
- Lack of paid online TV channels.
Minuses
- Integrated advertising;
- Virtual broadcasts of foreign online TV channels are not translated and are not accompanied by subtitles.