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You arrive home rested and refreshed from your vacation “away from it all”, eager to catch up on your favorite shows. What happened on Big Brother? Your soaps? You’re excited to watch the movies you recorded on your dvr while you were away. You arrive home to discover in horror that a lightning storm cut electricity to your house and none of your shows recorded. You’re already in a post-vacation funk and knowing that your shows didn’t record only makes it worse.
Tech to the rescue!
If you crave your favorite tv shows, make sure you check out tv apps from the iTunes App Store (iOS apps for your iPhone, iPad and or iPod Touch) and Android Market. Many networks have launched apps that will play full episodes of shows on your smartphone or iPad, many over 3G and Wi-Fi. What’s even better is that commercial interruptions tend to be much less frequent than if you were sitting at home, getting a sore thumb from pressing the fast forward button on your dvr remote.
1. ABC
Pros: ABC has their shows available for free on this app, usually the day after they air. You can catch up on your favorite soap, night time show (Wipeout! is one of their more popular shows on the app), or evening news. Commercials are minimal and the shows air over 3G or Wi-Fi.
Cons: The app is iPad only. No iPhone or Android apps are available.
2. TV.com (CBS)
Pros: This app is from CBS and shows most of their primetime shows in full with minimal commercials. There is both an Android and iPhone app and the shows play over 3G and Wi-Fi. Missed a Big Brother episode? No problem, Tv.com is free! CW, CNet, Showtime and Classic shows are also included in the app.
Cons: There is no iPad app. You can enlarge the image, but the quality isn’t as good as an iPad app would be. This app, from CBS, is difficult to find in the iTunes App Store, because a search for CBS won’t reveal this app. Not all shows include full episodes.
3. PBS
Pros: PBS has an iPhone app and a separate iPad app, with lots of free, quality content. This app has sharp picture quality and works on 3G and Wi-Fi.
Cons: PBS does not yet have an Android app and not all shows are included (if NOVA is your guilty pleasure, you’re out of luck).
4. Netflix
Pros: Netflix has a wide selection of content, including entire seasons from past years and shows that are no longer on the air. Shows play over 3G and Wi-Fi.
Cons: Netflix requires a subscription. Shows from current seasons generally are not available.
5. Hulu+
Pros: Hulu+ has shows more current than Netflix. Recent shows are available and you can sign up for season passes.
Cons: Your selection of content on the Hulu+ app is more limited than with Hulu+ online or Netflix. A subscription fee is required. The app has commercials and is reported to crash frequently.
6. HBO GO
Pros: The app and its content are free for HBO subscribers. The app has a generous selection of HBO shows and movies (see, HBO GO App News!). HBO GO is available on iOS and Android.
Cons: An HBO subscription is required. Access to some shows expires after a limited time.
7. SlingPlayer
Pros: You can watch tv anywhere you have Internet. The app works over 3G and Wi-Fi. There are SlingPlayer apps for iPhone, Android and iPad. You can watch live or recorded shows from your home or anyone’s home who let you connect to their Slingboxes. See, TV Fan? This Sling Is for You! There is no subscription fee and you can watch as many channels or recorded shows as you have on your home tv.
Cons: Price. Each mobile app costs $30. You don’t get credit for buying the app on a different platform (though the iPhone app will work on the iPad). A Slingbox, needed to transmit signal to your SlingPlayer app, costs $259 at Amazon.
8. iTunes
Pros: You can buy tv shows without a subscription. Shows are generally available beginning the day after they air. You can download and watch these shows anywhere in the world, if you have a US iTunes account. If you have an AppleTV, you can watch the shows on your TV after you purchase them. You can purchase a Season Pass to buy all the shows from a season at a discount. Shows are available in Standard or High Definition
Cons: Not all shows are available. Most shows are large files so can only be downloaded over Wi-Fi, not 3G. No Android app.
9. Xfinity
Pros: Xfinity (formerly Comcast) subscribers can watch live and on demand shows. The app also functions as a tv remote and allows you to program the Xfinity dvr from your iPad or iPhone while you’re away from home.
Cons: No Android app. Xfinity subscription required. App seems buggy and is subject to crashing.
10. TWCable TV
Pros: This app allows streaming of live TV to your iPad. The app also functions as a remote control, so you can change channels and program your dvr from your iPad.
Cons: A Time Warner Cable subscription is required. The app only works in your home, you leave your home and the app ceases to function. Reviews on iTunes indicate that the app is buggy. The app is iPad only.
11. CNN
Pros: The CNN app now allows you to watch CNN Live through your iPad and iPhone. Live alerts from CNN are available on the Android app when breaking news occurs.
Cons: CNN Live requires signing in with your cable tv provider. Not all tv providers are included in the app. CNN Live is not included in the Android app.
12. Al Jazeera
Pros: The app is free and streams live news. If you’re wondering what the rest of the world is thinking about the US, check out this app. Apps are available for iPhone, iPad and Android. Works on 3G and Wi-Fi. Can pause live stream.
Cons: None
TV App Wish List
NBC and Directv, unfortunately, are not competitive with tv apps. NBC still does not re-broadcast its shows over an app, though perhaps that has to do with its merger with Comcast? Whatever the reason, fans of NBC shows are eagerly awaiting the Peacock network to launch an ABC-style app.Directv doesn’t stream shows over its app either, so their Android and iOS apps merely function as a way to program Directv dvr’s when away from home.
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Do you catch up with your favorite shows while watching them on an app? Do you prefer to watch tv shows on apps with fewer commercials? Do you crave tv when you’re on the go? Let us know in the Comments section below!
* Image by Mike Behnken
I’m a huge fan (borderline addict) of Crackle since reading your review, Crackle, It’s On! Great for older shows & movies (Seinfeld, All in the Family, The Three Stooges, The Shield, etc.)
i.TV is a cool app for following shows, where & when they’re on, recaps, etc.
I also really like IMDb which is the wiki/encyclopedia of movies, tv & actors. Especially handy for “six degrees of…”
Please, please, please DirecTv find a way for subscribers to view streaming content!
Hi Porche, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You know I almost included Crackle in this post, but didn’t because, well, there are just so many great tv apps, I couldn’t cover them all. But I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying Crackle since you read my review of that great app.
I completely agree with you about DirecTv. It seems like an easy way to compete with Xfinity, but the licensing fees might be quite high to provide streaming over an app.
Thanks for your visit and awesome comment suggesting other great apps! 🙂
I subscribe to Droid TV Primetime. It doesn’t have all the shows, but it has enough! The show is downloaded to your phone a few days after airing, so there’s no streaming problem. After watching, just choose “remove episode from my phone”. It’s an Android app in the Android marketplace.
TV Now is another Android subscription app. It has a ton of shows by seasons. It streams and I’ve had streaming glitches on some episodes. When it works, though, the amount of choices are awesome!
Hi John, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I just checked out Droidtv Primetime in the Android Market and was very impressed. For $8.99 you get a six month subscription and can watch live, or record on your dedicated dvr dozens of shows. This app looks like it’s worth a Wonder of Tech review!
Unfortunately, TV Now was pulled from the Android Market and doesn’t seem to be available any longer.
Thanks so much for your visit and for suggesting these tv apps with us! 🙂
I know Al Jazeera………..did you see the Saturday Night Live skit after 9 11? He was a used car salesman and his business had tanked after 9 11. It was such a tragic event, SNL was just trying to lighten the mood.
Ok Ms Tech, all of this comes with a price tag. On average what would be a good monthly budget number you should expect to pay if you want to play? I guess it depends on what you are doing with them but if it was purely personal what would be an average amount?
That is all…………..hope you are having a great day.
Hi Bill, yes I did see that SNL episode. The writers did a fantastic job of dealing with the tragedy with humor when emotions were raw.
Great question about cost, Bill. Some people I know are cutting the tv cable and replacing their cable bill with Hulu+ and/or Netflix subscriptions. Hulu+ and Netflix Streaming subscriptions are $7.99 per month each.
SlingPlayer has no subscription fees, but upfront costs ($259 for the SlingBox and $29 for the app).
ABC, CBS (TV.com), and PBS are free apps with no subscription required. Crackle, which I reviewed in May, is free for the iPad and iPhone (see, https://wonderoftech.com/2011/05/crackle-its-cracklin-good-fun/Crackle, It’s Crackling Good Fun!“> for pricing on other devices).
Droidtv Primetime, which John suggested in the comment above, sounds like an amazing deal at $8.99 for six months, but it’s only available for certain Android devices.
If you want to buy shows individually, iTunes sells them for $1.99 with Season Passes available for about $19.99. Depending on how much tv you watch, iTunes may be an inexpensive way to get your tv fix on the go!
Thanks so much, Bill, for your visit, brilliant comment and awesome tweet! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I think other than CNN and Aljazeera, most of the services are not available outside USA. Thus I can only talk about them.
I like Aljazeera a lot because they have this running commentary and they give a unique perspective on the news. I really like their coverage of recent tsunami crisis in Japan. Their visuals were really stunning and coverage was world class. Infact they match any best media companies in the world.
Indian media too has done its job well but it needs to catchup with Aljazeera if they really want to be world-class.
I think other services need to open up to other world market. I am very much a fan of star trek series but cannot watch it because it is restricted
Great list . Thanks for compiling and reviewing.
Hi Ashvini, Yes, I realized when I wrote this that the app would be mostly geared to the US. I thought of adding BBC iPlayer as an app, but still wanted to keep it to 12 apps.
We are very fortunate to have so many options in the US for streaming/downloading video to our smartphones and iPads. Having lived outside the US with a smartphone until a year ago, I feel your pain. I hope video options such as Netflix can expand worldwide to bring these wonderful features to others around the globe!
Thanks so much for your visit and brilliant comment! 🙂
I agree with Ashvini, Al Jazeera is great.
The highlight more of the issues of the Developing World than BBC or CNN. I learn a lot about many less-known but exciting countries in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and many more.
To bad much of these services aren’t available in Europe, i always wanted to give Hulu a try. 🙁
Hi Jocuri, Al Jazeera Is great but sometimes difficult to find here in the US.
When I lived in the UK, there were reports of Hulu coming to the UK in March of 2010, but alas, it was not to be. I’m hoping the digital rights become easier to obtain for countries because international expansion is a natural growth area for these apps!
Thanks so much, Jocuri, for your visit and your wonderful comment!