The way we consume television has been revolutionized.

Gone are the days of being tied to the living room schedule; Today, our smartphones connect us to a universe of television content, wherever we are.

Top 5 Movie & Series Apps 2025

Watching TV on mobile has become common practice, turning commutes, waiting times, and breaks into opportunities for entertainment and information. With just an internet connection, access to live channels, on-demand programs, and global events is literally at our fingertips.

This convenience, however, comes with a multitude of choices. Between free apps funded by ads, streaming platforms aggregating live channels, and services replicating the cable TV experience over the internet, choosing can be challenging. Which app for watching TV offers the best combination of content, quality, and price for a global audience?

1. Sling TV

Sling TV is one of the pioneers and best-known Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services in the United States, often cited globally as an example of the “cord-cutting” trend. It offers a more flexible and often more affordable alternative to traditional cable or satellite TV packages, delivering popular live channels over the internet.

Live Channels: 

The core of Sling TV is access to a variety of popular American cable channels. Its package structure is distinct:

• Sling Orange: Generally focused on sports and family (including channels like ESPN, Disney Channel).

• Sling Blue: Often includes news and entertainment channels, plus some local Fox and NBC channels in select markets.

• Sling Orange + Blue: Combines channels from both basic packages.

• Add-ons: Allows package customization with themed extras (Sports, Comedy, News, Kids, etc.).

On-Demand Content:

Access to recent shows and movies from the channels included in your package.

Features:

Cloud DVR (with variable storage), streaming on multiple devices (number varies between Orange and Blue), interface organized by channel or content.

Ideal For:

Primarily US consumers seeking a flexible, cheaper alternative to traditional cable, with the ability to choose leaner or customized packages.

Points to Consider:

It’s a paid subscription service. Its official availability is limited to the United States (although users in other countries might attempt access via VPN, this usually violates terms of service). Requires a stable internet connection. The exact channel lineup depends on the chosen package and add-ons.

2. Pluto TV: A Universe of Free Channels with Ads

Pluto TV has captured a massive global audience by replicating the channel-surfing experience, but entirely free and legally, supported by advertising. It doesn’t offer the traditional channels you know, but rather hundreds of themed channels curated by the platform itself.

Free Live Channels:

An extensive and diverse lineup covers genres like movies (by decade, genre), series (classics, crime, comedy), news (partnerships with sources like CBS News, Sky News in some regions), documentaries, reality shows, kids programming, anime, music, and even channels dedicated to specific shows 24/7.

Free On-Demand Content:

Besides linear channels, it offers a library of movies and series episodes to watch anytime, also with commercial breaks.

Features:

Interface mimicking a traditional TV guide, easy navigation, usually no registration required, wide availability on mobile, web, smart TVs, and streaming devices in many countries.

Ideal For:

Anyone worldwide looking for varied, free TV-style entertainment without minding ads. Great for discovering different content or having something playing in the background.

Points to Consider:

Don’t expect major premium live sports channels or your local over-the-air channels. Content quality can vary, and ads are frequent.

3. DirecTV Go

Services like DirecTV Go and Sky+ (names vary greatly by region, such as DirecTV Stream in the US, Sky Stream in the UK, etc.) represent the evolution of traditional pay TV into the online environment. They deliver a full lineup of live channels, including many premium ones, directly over the internet.

Live Channels:

They offer access to an extensive package of linear channels that would typically require a cable or satellite subscription: premium movie and series channels (like HBO, Star Channel, Warner, AXN), sports (ESPN, local sports channels), news (CNN, BBC World News), documentaries (Discovery, Nat Geo), kids channels, and many others, depending on the package and region. Local broadcast channels are often included as well.

On-Demand Content:

Access to VOD libraries from the subscribed channels and often integration with other streaming platforms as part of premium packages.

Features:

Advanced programming guide, ability to pause and rewind live TV, cloud DVR, user profiles, multi-platform access.

Ideal For:

Users who want the complete pay-TV experience, with access to premium channels and live sports, but prefer the flexibility of internet delivery without physical installations or long-term contracts (in many cases).

Points to Consider:

It’s a paid service, with monthly fees often comparable to traditional pay TV. Requires a robust and stable internet connection. Channel availability and the service’s name vary significantly by country.

4. YouTube: More Than Videos, A Window to Global TV

YouTube has transcended its origins as a short-video platform, becoming a vital hub for accessing diverse types of television content for free (with ads) or via specific subscriptions.

Official Broadcaster Channels:

Many global and local TV networks (BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, France 24, national broadcasters from various countries) use YouTube to stream live news, full programs, or clips and reports.

Live News 24/7:

Numerous established news channels offer continuous live streams.

Sports (Limited Live):

While major premium league live streams are rare due to exclusive rights, it’s easy to find official highlights, analysis, sports documentaries, press conferences, and live streams of smaller leagues, college sports, or specific events licensed for YouTube.

Educational and Documentary Content:

Many TV channels focused on science, history, and nature make vast amounts of content available.

Web Channels and Original Content:

An explosion of creators producing high-quality content in television-like formats.

Ideal For:

Accessing global live news, sports highlights, specific content from TV channels with an official presence, and a nearly infinite variety of VOD for free.

Points to Consider:

Doesn’t offer the “channel surfing” experience of a full paid TV lineup like Sling TV or DirecTV Go/Sky+. The availability of live content from traditional channels depends on each broadcaster’s strategy on the platform.

Conclusion: Crafting Your Ideal Mobile TV Experience

Television on mobile is a global reality, with apps catering to all tastes and budgets.

From innovative solutions like Sling TV challenging traditional cable in the US (and inspiring services elsewhere), through the vast free, themed offerings of Pluto TV, the complete pay-TV experience delivered online by services like DirecTV Go/Sky+ (or regional equivalents), to the almost limitless content universe of YouTube, the options are plentiful.

Choosing the best app for watching TV will depend on the type of content you seek (specific channels, movies, news, sports), how much you’re willing to pay (free with ads vs. monthly subscription), and your location (which can affect the availability of services like Sling TV).

Assess your priorities, check the regional availability of services that interest you, and consider the quality of your internet connection. Trying out free options or trial periods may be the key to finding the app that puts the world of television, quite literally, in the palm of your hand.