The way we watch television has completely changed. You no longer need cable TV or even a laptop to watch your favorite shows and movies. Now you can watch them all on your phone or tablet almost anywhere in the world — thanks to top TV apps that cost a fraction of cable TV service. Here we check out some of the best TV apps for speakers of English. (Most of these apps are available in other languages, too.)
Netflix app
As of now, Netflix reigns supreme as one of the best TV apps in the world, and is available to download anywhere. And once you subscribe to Netflix, you’ll gain access to a large collection of movies and TV series. The app is also one of the first to let you download your favorite movies and TV series for offline viewing.
Although Netflix’s collection of movies, documentaries, and TV series is large, some of them may not be available in your country. So to fully enjoy everything Netflix has to offer, you’ll need to have a reliable VPN service. You can get the Netflix app now for Windows, for Android, and for iOS.
BBC iPlayer app
Another of the top TV apps is the BBC iPlayer app. Aside from giving you a wide range of current and classic shows, BBC iPlayer also lets you download and watch offline later.
The BBC iPlayer app is exclusively developed and designed for the people in the UK. If you’re in the UK, you can get the BBC iPlayer app now for Mac or Windows, for Android, and for iOS. If you want to watch outside the UK, you’ll need a VPN that works well with BBC iPlayer.
ABC app
If you’re a big fan of ABC (American Broadcasting Co.) shows like Gray’s Anatomy and Jimmy Kimmel Live! and want to be able to watch live TV, the ABC TV app is a great choice for you. You’ll also have access to some classics, such as Body of Proof, or you can watch full seasons of ABC exclusive content. If you live outside of the US, you just need to use a VPN to watch content. The ABC app has lots of positive reviews. You can get the ABC TV app now for Android and for iOS.
NBC app
With the NBC app, you can watch NBC TV shows live, and you’ll enjoy a variety of other shows. You can also cast NBC app content from your mobile device to a smart TV using Chromecast. The NBC app is full of great content including classic shows like Knight Rider and Battlestar Galactica, plus today’s hits like This Is US, The Blacklist, Saturday Night Live, and others. The NBC app has strong average reviews of 4.3/5. You can get it now for Android and for iOS.
Amazon Prime Video app
You don’t need to be an Amazon Prime member to use the Amazon Prime Video app, but you do need an Amazon account. If you aren’t a Prime subscriber, you can still stream the first episode of select TV shows for free.
The Amazon Prime Video app lets you pay for a subscription so you can watch popular channels like HBO, Showtime, STARZ, and many more. Aside from that, you also stream and download a huge collection of movies and TV shows that you can watch anytime and anywhere. If you’re in India, you can also watch hundreds of Bollywood and regional hits.
Amazon Prime Video now finally supports Google Chromecast, as well as other top TV streaming services. The app has mostly great reviews on all major app stores, though Amazon users are ironically more critical. You can get the Amazon Prime Video app now for Android and for iOS.
Google Play Movies & TV
The Google Play Movies & TV app lets you watch on-demand movies and TV shows using your Android, Chrome, or iOS device. The app also lets you rent or purchase your favorite movies or TV shows.
What makes the Google Play Movies & TV app really amazing is that all of its content can be streamed in high-quality resolution (up to 4K). Like with Amazon Prime Video, you can also download content to watch offline later. There’s also a “Wishlist” feature that gives you a notification when the movie or TV show you wish-listed becomes available.
Despite being a Google app, the Google Play Movies & TV app is available for iOS as well as for Android. However, the app still delivers a better experience on Android or Chrome.
Hotstar app + Voot app
If you’re in India or just like Indian entertainment like Bollywood movies and cricket matches, the Hotstar app is worth a try. One of the most popular TV apps in India, Hotstar app offers two subscription packages. Hotstar VIP gives you access to live sports events and Star TV shows before they premiere on TV, plus original content and Indian movies. The Hotstar Premium plan includes all those perks, plus the latest American TV shows and blockbuster Hollywood movies.
Similar to Hotstar and also popular in India is the Voot app, which offers Viacom18 network channels and exclusive content. Like with Hotstar, you can bookmark your favorite channels, set reminders, watch live TV, pause programs, and then play later from the point you left off.
You can get the Hotstar app now for Android and for iOS, and also the Voot app for Android and for iOS. If you’re outside of India, you’ll need a VPN.
The best TV apps are those you can use anywhere
These are the best TV apps you can use on your mobile devices right now. Some of them will require you to set up a VPN though, such as the BBC iPlayer, if you’re going to use them in other countries.
These top TV apps will help you catch up on your favorite movies and TV shows, especially if you no longer have the time to sit in front of a TV.
