Some of these apps are free, and some require a subscription.
Some require that you are signed up with a certain cable company.
Here are some of the best ones.
A&E
Many episodes are unlocked automatically.
No way to skip ads.
Excessive and repetitive ads.
Requires cable subscription with participating company.
Get your fill of A&E reality shows likeLive PDandThe First 48with the official app.
You’ll have access to deleted scenes and exclusive clips along with full episodes.
Logging in to your cable company account unlocks extra episodes.
This app is free but requires a cable subscription with a participating service provider.
ABC
Shows grouped by genre.
Extra clips with most shows.
Live streaming of local ABC station.
Some live events are not available in all areas.
Includes only selected episodes for some shows.
There are all thefree TV shows, but there’s also live streaming TV in many metropolitan areas.
Plus, you’ve got the option to watch on the go.
Amazon Prime Video
Movies and shows recommended based on viewing patterns.
Vast amount of content is overwhelming.
No option to stream downloaded content to TV.
Offline downloads are at 480p.
Anyone with anAmazon Prime accountcan use the Prime Video app tostream free movies and TV shows.
Download movies and TV shows over a Wi-Fi or cellular connection to watch wherever you go.
This app is free but requires an Amazon Prime account.
Bloomberg: Business News
Bloomberg TV breaking news and interviews.
Focuses on financial and political world.
Professional analysis and market insights.
Free app includes only 10 free articles per month.
Obtrusive ads in free version.
Keep up to date with the world of business and high finance using the Bloomberg Business News app.
The app does more than provide 24-hour live access to Bloomberg TV and selected clips.
you might use it to access stock market info and news on the economy, technology, and politics.
It even offers tools for tracking your investments.
This app is free.
Bravo
Live shows, full episodes, and clips.
Cast shows with Airplay and Chromecast.
Clips only for earlier shows in a season.
Previous seasons not always included.
Cartoon connection
Colorful, easy-to-use interface.
Includes shows that are no longer on the channel.
Most episodes available the day after they air.
Doesn’t carry all Cartoon data pipe shows.
Not every season is offered.
It’s chock full of episodes ofBen 10,ThunderCats, and much more.
you might only watch shows if your cable company has a deal with Cartoon online grid.
Paramount+
Current episodes of CBS shows available the next day.
Watch live and on-demand content.
Must pay extra to remove ads.
Some seasons not included.
Paramount+ has replaced CBS All-Access as the home for CBS shows likeClariceandStar Trek: Discovery.
This app is free but requires a monthly subscription to Paramount+.
The Essential Plans costs $4.99 a month and includes ads.
The Premium Plan is $9.99 a month and mostly does away with the ads.
It also includes live local CBS stations and the ability to download shows for later viewing.
Comedy Central
Extensive library of shows.
New shows available the day after they air.
Some content is available without a cable subscription.
Only a few episodes from each season available.
The Comedy Central app provides something that not all TV apps do.
It allows you to watch episodes of shows live on your iPhone as they air on TV.
Cox Contour
Live TV and On Demand movies and shows.
All On Demand movies are free.
Channel Guide for Live TV.
Requires user’s location and Cox sign-in credentials.
Doesn’t support external devices.
it’s possible for you to also control your DVR.
This app is free but requires a Cox subscription.
Crackle
Everything is free: movies, original content, and TV shows.
New movies each month.
Watchlist with free sign in.
Limited TV show selection.
Sony has a huge library of content, and Sony Crackle is the way to access it.
You’ll find original content, too.
Best of all, watching doesn’t cost a thing.
Crunchyroll
Tons of top-notch anime from Japan.
Free access to most content.
Free access is ad supported.
Paid account necessary to remove ads.
The Crunchyroll app is heaven for anime fans.
Crunchyroll’s subscription service delivers more than 25,000 episodes from series such asAttack on TitanandBlue Exorcist.
Crunchyroll offers a free, seven-day trial, but after that, you need a subscription.
There is a fee for the standard subscription, which costs slightly more for an all-access membership.
The CW
Free with normal commercial breaks.
No cable subscription needed.
Carries only recent episodes.
Beyond TV, you’ll also be able to stream original web-only series from CW.
Best of all, you’re able to watch the shows without a cable subscription.
DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket
Live streams every out-of-market football game.
Smooth, sharp video.
Displays all games in progress with current scores.
In-market games are blacked out.
Can’t pause or rewind.
This means you could get all the football you want without installing a satellite dish at your home.
Warning: This isn’t one of the cheaper subscriptions.
This app is free with a subscription.
Discovery GO
Full seasons of shows.
Can’t pick up where you leave off in an episode.
Keep up withDeadliest Catch,MythBusters, and other Discovery Channel programming with the Discovery GO app.
DISH Anywhere
Schedules DVR recording from anywhere.
Program guide for 7 days in advance.
Requires DISH Hopper HD DVR.
Fast internet connection needed.
Slow file transfer speed.
DISHisn’t a connection like NBC or ESPN.
It’s the equivalent of a cable company.
There are a lot of requirements, though.
DisneyNOW
Original movies, live TV, and episodes of popular shows.
Personalize with Disney emoji.
The Disney Channel app offers live TV and on-demandstreamingof TV episodes, as you’d expect.
Where the app becomes cool is with the extra features it adds.
The app offers built-in games that feature Disney Channel stars and gives users access to stream Disney Radio.
This app is free but requires a cable subscription with a participating service provider.
Fios TV
Featured movies, trending shows, live sports, and breaking news.
Verizon Wireless data customers stream data-free.
The app can also be used as a remote control for your TV.
You need a Fios Wi-Fi router to stream TV to your phone in your home.
This app is free but requires a Verizon FiOS subscription.
Food web link
Awesome source of new recipe ideas.
Tips and recipes for cooking for children.
Difficult to navigate and search for shows.
Too many commercials per show.
Series likeChopped,Barefoot Contessa, andDiners, Drive-Ins and Divesare available through the Food internet app.
Logging in unlocks the full library of episodes.
AirPlay supports video streaming to an Apple TV.
Max (Formerly HBO Max)
Streams HBO shows anytime, anywhere there is an internet connection.
Huge catalog of entertainment programming.
Owns exclusives it’s possible for you to’t see elsewhere.
Pricier than competing apps.
Stable, fast internet connection needed.
Interface a little clunky.
This app is free, but a Max account starts at $9.99 per month.
HGTV
Shows available the day after they air.
All previous seasons of popular shows.
Some shows available without signing in to provider.
Low-resolution over cellular connection.
The app also supportsAirPlayso that you could stream episodes from your iPhone to your Apple TV.
History
Exceptional historical and present-day programming.
Includes all episodes of many shows.
Bonus videos and clips.
Only include recent episodes of some shows.
More episodes are unlocked if you have a subscription, however.
Use this app to enjoy shows such asForged in Fire,American Pickers, andAncient Aliens.
Hulu
Huge content library.
Lots of current cable TV shows.
Live TV on 60 channels with premium subscription.
No offline viewing options.
Must pay extra to avoid commercials.
Hulu has been offering tons of great free TV shows since 2007.
Unfortunately, the “free” part doesn’t apply to iPhone, iPad, and iPod users.
You’re limited to paid Hulu services on iOS.
you might select a plan that includes Hulu’s entire streaming library or opt for live and on-demand options.
This app is free but a Hulu account with no ads costs $11.99/month.
Lifetime
Carries full episodes of current and previous seasons.
Some content available without signing in to provider.
Paid TV provider or cable service is required for most content.
The Lifetime app offers the same jot down of deal as A&E and the History app.
You’ll find all the popular Lifetime shows likeDance MomsandMarried at First Sight.
MLB
Real-time MLB game scores.
Free MLB Game of the Day.
Comprehensive app with extensive features.
Most features require a subscription.
Can’t mirror content to a TV.
Major League Baseball has long been a leader in offering its game digitally.
You sign up viain-app purchase.
This app is free but requires a subscription.
MTV
Full episodes of current and classic MTV shows.
Unlocked content includes MTV News videos, select full episodes, and clips.
Ad volume louder than show volume.
MTV’s app delivers all the content you’d expect and then some.
NBA
Watch live games or replays later.
Flexible monthly and annual subscription options.
Subscription package necessary for most content.
Some games are blacked out.
TheNBA applets you follow the excitement and drama of the NBA regular season game by game on your iPhone.
it’s possible for you to choose to watch every game or follow five teams you select.
Pricing for these options differs, of course.
NBC
Full seasons of current shows.
Extensive selection of classic series.
Watch free shows with or without a TV provider.
AirPlay and Chromecast compatible.
Frequent plugs for current NBC shows.
Live streaming limited to locales with an NBC affiliate.
It offers video clips, photo galleries, trivia, and more, in addition to episodes.
Catch up with entire seasons and check out classic shows.
Netflix
Huge collection of TV shows and movies.
New content of current shows not available right away.
No notification about changes to content availability.
This makes Netflix an excellent way to watch TV on your iPhone.
If you’ve heard aboutStranger Things,BrightandGlow, check them out here.
A Netflix account costs $8.99/month.
you’re free to watch Netflix offline by downloading videos from the service.
Learn more inHow to Download Movies From Netflix onto Your Mac or iPad.
YouTube TV
More than 65 channels.
Up to six accounts and three simultaneous streams per subscription.
Lots of sporting events.
Missing a few popular channels including A&E, Discovery, and Food web link.
Doesn’t support Amazon Fire TV.
No major league baseball coverage.
Available only in selected metropolitan areas.
TheYouTube TV appoffers cable-free live TV.
The app comes with access to a cloud DVR without storage space limits.
This app has it all, but it comes with a hefty monthly subscription fee.
This relatively new option is available in most metropolitan areas as of 2018 with plans to expand.
PBS Video
Outstanding content.
Curated playlists and collections.
New videos added daily.
Non-members limited to recently aired shows.
Carries local programming only for “home” channel.
No login to your local cable company is required, which is a bonus.
Showtime Anytime
Stream entire seasons of original series.
App included in Showtime subscription.
Watch live or on demand.
Lack of genre categories in movies makes search difficult.
You’ll get access to Showtime series likeHomeland,Shameless, andRay Donovan.
This app is free but requires Showtime and a cable subscription with a participating service provider.
Pluto TV
100+ free TV channels with electronic viewing guides.
Everything is free including thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows.
Movie library is dated.
Searching content is confusing.
Exclusive channels include the Pro Wrestling Channel and Anime All Day.
It’s all free.
Starz
New streaming content added each week.
Full downloads of original series and movies.
Not available through Comcast/Xfinity.
This app is free but requires Starz and a cable subscription with a participating service provider.
NetTV Plus
More than 200 channels.
Each channel has its own electronic programming guide.
Lots of international TV programming.
Then it aggregates them in its app.
The number of channels available fluctuates as networks end or move their web streams.
Viewing time may be limited.
SprintTV
Instant access to popular shows from CBS, NBC, USA, MTV, and others.
Live broadcasts and special programming.
1 free show and 1 free live channel.
Formerly free content is now fee-based.
Works only with a Sprint monthly phone plan.
Must have data plan.
Upgrade packages are available at a modest cost that adds more channels.
Shows are available over cellular and Wi-Fi.
This app is free but requires a Sprint monthly phone plan.
Spectrum TV
Filters live TV by category.
Offers live TV and on-demand content at home.
Best program options available only when using Spectrum internet Wi-Fi at home.
The Spectrum TV (formerly Charter TV) app is offered by cable provider Spectrum.
it’s possible for you to even download movies and TV shows to watch offline.
This app is free but requires a Spectrum subscription.
Watch TBS
Streams popular TBS shows and original content.
Carries live sports and blockbuster movies.
Substandard live sports quality.
No announcement for departing content.
If you like to laugh, you may be a fan of TBS original shows likeConanandGround Floor.
you might watch them and more on your iPhone while you’re out and about.
It checks to see if your cable company has a deal with TBS.
If it doesn’t, you’re left with the clips, photos, and social features.
TLC GO
New episodes posted the day after they air.
Previous seasons of popular shows.
Access to some shows limited by some TV providers.
Social sharing features allow you to enjoy the shows with friends.
TruTV
Some content available without a login.
Live streaming of truTV programming.
Includes clips and full episodes of shows.
Some content requires a subscription.
USA data pipe
Includes original series, clips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes videos.
you’re able to enjoy USA web connection original shows likeSuits,Mr.
Robot, andQueen of the Southwhen you have the USA internet app.
Watch TNT
Easy-to-navigate app with gorgeous graphics.
Love of live sports programing.
Includes original content, shows, and movies.
Limited back catalog of previous seasons.
It’s subject to the same restrictions as its sister app from TBS, however.
Univision
Spanish-language shows, movies, and radio.
Includes Univision news, sports, and entertainment.
Offers only partial seasons of many shows.
Get the leading Spanish-language TV web connection in the U.S. on your iPhone with the Univision app.
U-Verse
Streams live and on-demand shows and movies from multiple networks.
Guide for locating and scheduling new recordings.
Doesn’t access local channels.
This app lets you watch live TV as well as shows on demand.
Channel offerings include ESPN, Fox Sports, MTV, Disney Channel, Comedy Central, and more.
Users can watch shows over cellular or Wi-Fi.
This app is free but requires a monthly subscription.
Xfinity Stream
Streams 200+ networks and live sporting events.
Watch downloaded content offline.
Watch and browse at the same time with the mini-player screen.
Must be a Comcast Xfinity TV customer.
Can’t set recording remotely.
Xfinity Stream is the iPhone app from cable giant Comcast.
You must have those stations in your cable package.
Xfinity TV requires Wi-Fi.
This app is free with a Comcast subscription.
