Buyer's guide
English-language IPTV: what to check, wherever you live
Whether you are cutting cable in the US, or living abroad and missing English-language TV, the questions are mostly the same. This guide takes you through them.
Two people with one question
If you are in the US, you probably want live channels without a cable contract. Your main concerns will be price, reliability and whether it runs on your TV.
If you live abroad, you want the news and shows you grew up with, on a schedule that makes sense where you are. Your main concerns will be time zones and how well a stream travels over a long distance.
Five checks that matter more than the channel count
- Ask about specific channels. Name the three you care about most, and ask if they are available right now.
- Check the audio language. International lists can include channels with a similar name in other languages, or with a different audio track as the default.
- Look at the guide. A program guide that shows the wrong times is frustrating. Check that your player app has the correct time zone.
- Ask about catch-up. If you are abroad, the live broadcast may come at 3am. Ask what is available on demand or through catch-up.
- Test at your busiest time. Evening internet is usually slower. Long-distance streams can be more affected by this.
If you are watching from abroad
- Check local rules. Laws about streaming services differ from country to country, and you are responsible for following them where you live.
- Ask us about your location. Availability can vary, and connection quality depends on your local provider. Tell us where you are before you pay.
- Convert the price. Our prices are in USD. Your bank may add a conversion fee.
- Pick a device you can buy locally. Check that it can reach the app store you need. Some apps vary by region.
If you are moving on from cable in the US
- Keep your internet. If it is bundled with TV, ask your provider what internet alone will cost before you cancel.
- Get an over-the-air antenna. It is inexpensive, it keeps working when your internet is down, and it carries emergency broadcasts.
- Try one month first. A short plan lets you compare the two side by side before you give up your cable box.
Where this leaves you
If the answers to these checks look good, you can compare our plans. If you want to see how IPTV compares with cable and with streaming apps, read our honest comparison.
Watching from outside the US?
Tell us where you live and what you want to watch, and we will tell you what we can.