5 apps to watch TV on the iPhone

Posted on October 15, 2009 at 5:01 am

I recently got an iPhone 3GS and I can’t stop watching TV shows and movies on it! It’s just plain addicting. Now when I say watching TV on the iPhone, it means either watching live TV or watching pre-recorded stuff.

If you want to watch true live TV on your iPhone, there are a few apps out there, but they only work over WiFi, not 3G. However, buying some additional hardware for your computer can get you actual live TV on your iPhone over 3G. I’ll explain everything below.

Apps to watch TV on the iPhone

First, let’s go through some of the apps currently in the App Store that let you watch pre-recorded and live video on the iPhone.

TVU

watch live tv iphone

TVU allows you to watch live TV from more than 300 channels worldwide. It costs $5 and works over WiFi only at this time.

The basic features it includes are favorites, search, and landscape mode viewing. Also, there is no limit on the amount of time you can watch TV.

netTV

watch live tv on iphone

Apparently, this programs works over 3G, but is not nearly as polished as TVU. People have complained about bad program guide, slow video loading, and other types of problems.

However, it has about 200 channels from around the world that you can watch in full screen over 3G. Maybe the next version will be better!

tv.com

tv on iphone

If you don’t care about the whole “live” aspect of TV, then you can use tv.com to watch videos from numerous networks including CBS, NBC, CNET and lots more.

The programs works over WiFi and over 3G, so that’s a nice benefit. I’ve used it before and it’s very good except for the fact that the video quality can be grainy sometimes.

Television

live tv on iphone

Not exactly live TV, but Television has quite a decent lineup of videos that you can watch from top sources like CNN, CBS, FOX, Comedy Central, ESPN, and more.

Currently it only supports viewing over a WiFi network.

How to watch live TV on the iPhone

Ok, so now if you really really want true live TV on the iPhone with access to all the channels you are currently subscribed too (not just random ones from other countries), then you need to go a bit further than just iPhone apps.

OrbLive for iPhone

stream tv to iphone

Though this apps costs a nice $10, it’s definitely worth it! You can use it to stream music, video, and pictures from your desktop home computer to your iPhone.

Not only that, but you can stream your webcam to your iPhone and the best part, stream live TV to your iPhone.

The only catch here is that you need to have a TV Tuner card installed on your computer. That’s an extra $100 bucks or more, but if you really want to have access to all your cable and satellite channels live on the iPhone, you’ll need to buy one.

The other major advantage is that it works over 3G, which is super cool!

SlingPlayer Mobile

slingplayer mobile

Another way to get all your channels live streamed to your iPhone is to use a SlingPlayer. Of course, you’ll have to buy one and connect it to your TV and Internet, but then you can use the SlingPlayer mobile application to watch everything.

As of right now, it only works over WiFi, but there are rumors it will work over 3G soon. You can use it to not only control your TV, but also control your DVR, Apple TV, or some security cameras.

If you know of any more apps to watch or stream live TV to an iPhone, post it in the comments! Enjoy!

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Comments

26 Responses to “5 apps to watch TV on the iPhone”

  1. iPhone Lover said on : November 25th, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    These iPhone apps are all nice, but I still download TV shows and movies off the Internet, convert them to iPhone format using Handbrake and watch them in high quality.

    Is there an app to watch hi-definition or higher quality TV and videos on the iPhone? Most of these are very grainy. Does SlingPlayer deliver a clear signal? Thanks!


  2. Kenaz said on : December 23rd, 2009 at 2:50 am

    Cool, but aint there a way to watch TV on the iPhone just like you watch it on TV?


  3. Chis said on : January 10th, 2010 at 4:07 am

    For the iPhone, use TVCatchup.com to watch live UK TV.


  4. Warman said on : January 31st, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    This is crap man. I can’t really watch live TV with these apps. Is there any hardware I can attached to my iPhone to pickup TV signals?


  5. Tim Hendricks said on : February 3rd, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    Contact Apple and tell them to allow MobiTV live TV and you will be able to watch LIVE TV!!


  6. Frank said on : March 2nd, 2010 at 10:02 am

    Look for flo tv. Coming soon to iPhone. They already have a stand alone unit out and it’s nice.


  7. Quuin said on : March 7th, 2010 at 10:44 am

    Now that the Sling Player mobile app works over 3G, it’s the best way to watch TV by far. Of course, you need to have a SlingBox, but it’s totally worth it!


  8. Chang said on : March 16th, 2010 at 1:15 am

    Thanks for the cool iPhone apps. However, now I use a SlingBox with SlingPlayer Mobile on my iPhone! It’s awesome!


  9. Stephanie said on : March 22nd, 2010 at 7:25 am

    I want to take my iPhone to the baseball game and watch the game on my iPhone so I can see the replays. Is this possible yet? How?


  10. Kenny said on : March 29th, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    why would i need to watch tv on iphone when there’s 42 inch plasma tv in my room?


  11. Alex said on : April 4th, 2010 at 1:21 am

    Screw all of these apps and get Justin.tv 4 free watch comedy central fox movie channels sports we u want only downfall is clarity but it’s free so who cares right?


  12. Marge said on : April 8th, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    What about MobiTV for watching TV on the iPhone?

    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mobitv/id361804568?mt=8


  13. Cas said on : April 30th, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    I’m in agreement with a previous post that asked the question why the Iphone doesn’t just have MobiTV and there would be no downloading or purchasing of anything extra or any apps. All you would do is hit the TV icon on your phone and the fee of $9.99 is included in your monthly phone plan!!! I currently have the samsung mythic and love being able to watch live TV when I’m not home. I enjoyed wating the presidential inaugaration and the NCAA basketball playoffs. Can you please tell us if this will be an option on the next generation Iphone? Thanks


  14. claudia said on : May 5th, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    Air Video! it’s a nice app like orblive


  15. Beth said on : May 11th, 2010 at 8:21 am

    All I really want to do is be able to play TV shows already available on ABC.com but that seems impossible on the iPhone whether free or fee based. However if there is no simple solution to that, it sounds like if I DVR the shows I want to watch on the iPhone, I can buy some application and a gadget for my computer and it should work. Is that right? And if so, where can I get more info on exactly what I need and what it will cost?


  16. Tim Hendricks said on : May 19th, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    The best out there for the iphone now is the sling box and you can get the 922 through DISH which has the sling in it and I can tell you that it works fantastic and is live tv


  17. Jason said on : June 2nd, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    I know its not really an app, but in2streams.com streams tv shows directly to the iphone and ipad really well, even on my 3g. They have over 25000 full length episodes (complete seasons of a lot of great series), way to many to watch with the iphone’s battery life lol… Either way, definitely worth checking out… I have used some of those sites where the links are not always in service, but never had a single one fail me. I wish they would come out with an app though, would make it easier then using safari.


  18. Barry said on : June 13th, 2010 at 4:22 am

    In response to Kenny. It’s a ‘mobiile’ app??? Hence it’s used when you’re out and about. I guess there’s two options 1 you take your plasma with you everywhere you go or, more likely, you never leave your room!


  19. Vinayak awasthi said on : June 29th, 2010 at 6:50 am

    Can I watch live tv or recorded shows on iPhone without any tv tuner card in my desktop and no wifi and 3g services available


  20. Biut said on : June 30th, 2010 at 4:52 am

    I want to watch TV shows on the iPhone 4G! How can I do that? I heard of something called Hulu Plus. Is that worth it?


  21. Sylvia said on : July 1st, 2010 at 11:49 pm

    There is always YouTube! It has a lot of episodes online…not live tho


  22. Charles said on : July 3rd, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    I use AVC Streamer (avcstreamer.com) to stream anything live from my cable box to my iphone anywhere. Works great and I payed $0. Don’t need an iphone app either, it works right in safari.


  23. Hamonline said on : July 12th, 2010 at 12:26 am

    Charles, can you please provide more info on how you set AVCStreamer with your cable box? I have Comcast.


  24. Gman said on : November 7th, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    I found a great site for the Iphone and it is free. Only about10 live channels, but it works great and has NBCHD. Go on Safari then go to filmon.com!


  25. victoria2657 said on : July 20th, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    Hulu Plus is an absolute must! I use that, Crackle, and Netflix and I am never bored!


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