Internet television is any TV-style content delivered over the internet rather than through an aerial, satellite dish or cable network. That includes broadcaster catch-up apps, subscription video services, free ad-supported channels and live TV subscriptions. IPTV is one form of internet television, and the two terms are often used interchangeably, but there are useful differences.
Knowing them helps you choose the right type of service and understand why different apps behave differently.
Internet television in one sentence
If it looks like TV and reaches you over a broadband or mobile data connection, it is internet television. The content can be live or on demand, free or paid, watched on a big screen or a phone.
IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is narrower: it usually describes services built around live, scheduled channels delivered over IP networks, often with a programme guide and on-demand extras. For a full explanation, read our guide to what IPTV is.
The main types of internet television
| Type | What you get | Typical cost | Example of how you watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcaster apps | Catch-up and live streams of a broadcaster's own channels | Often free; may require a licence or login | The broadcaster's app on a smart TV |
| Subscription video on demand | Libraries of films and series | Monthly subscription | A dedicated app |
| Free ad-supported TV (FAST) | Scheduled channels with adverts | Free | Built into many smart TVs or as an app |
| Live TV subscriptions (IPTV) | Many live channels, a guide, often VOD | Subscription | A player app with login details |
| Operator IPTV | A broadband provider's TV package | Bundled with broadband | The operator's set-top box |
Each type answers a different need. On-demand apps suit binge-watching, FAST channels suit casual free viewing, and live TV subscriptions suit people who want scheduled channels, sport and news in one place.
Where IPTV differs from other internet television
Three practical differences stand out.
Live channels and a guide
IPTV services are organised around channels and an electronic programme guide (EPG), much like traditional TV. Many on-demand apps have no schedule at all.
Choice of player app
Many IPTV services let you watch in a third-party player such as IPTV Smarters or TiviMate, using login details they provide. Most other internet television services require their own app. Our guide to IPTV players explains the options.
Device flexibility
Because IPTV works through standard player apps, one subscription can often be used across a smart TV, a streaming stick, a phone and a laptop, subject to the number of simultaneous connections in your plan.
How internet television grew up
For decades, television meant a fixed schedule delivered by aerial, satellite or cable. As household broadband became faster and more common, broadcasters began offering catch-up players, so viewers could watch programmes after they aired. Subscription video services followed, building large on-demand libraries that changed how many people watch films and series.
Smart TVs and low-cost streaming sticks then brought those apps to the living-room screen. Free ad-supported channels arrived next, recreating the feel of scheduled TV inside an app. Live TV subscriptions delivered over IP, whether from broadband operators or independent services, completed the picture by offering many channels with a guide.
Today, internet television is less a single product than a toolkit. Many households combine several types: a broadcaster app for local news, an on-demand service for series, and a live subscription for sport and international channels.
Choosing the right internet television option
Start from how you actually watch:
- Mostly films and series? An on-demand service may be enough.
- Want free background TV? FAST channels and broadcaster apps cost nothing; see our guide to free IPTV options.
- Want live channels, sport and news together? A live TV subscription is the more natural fit.
- Several people watching at once? Check how many simultaneous streams each option allows.
Whatever you choose, check what is lawful where you live. Rules on streaming, and on licences for live TV, differ from country to country.
Getting a good picture on internet television
Every type of internet television depends on your home network. A few habits help:
- Use a wired Ethernet connection for your main TV where possible.
- Keep your router central and away from thick walls and other electronics.
- Restart streaming devices occasionally and keep apps updated.
- Remember that each screen watching at the same time uses its own share of bandwidth.
Our guide to IPTV streaming quality goes into more detail.
Trying a live TV subscription
If you are weighing up a live TV subscription, testing it on your own setup is the best way to decide. Monster IPTV offers a free trial, and plans run for 1 to 12 months on 1 to 5 devices at the same time. See how it works or compare plans and prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is internet television free?
Some of it is. Broadcaster apps and free ad-supported channels cost nothing to watch, although some countries still require a TV licence for live viewing. Subscription services charge a monthly or longer-term fee.
Can I watch internet television on an old TV?
Yes, if you add a streaming device. A Fire TV Stick, Chromecast or Android TV box plugs into an HDMI port and runs the apps an older TV lacks.
Do I still need an aerial or dish?
Not for internet television. Everything arrives over your broadband connection, though some people keep an aerial as a backup for free-to-air channels.
Is internet television better than cable?
It depends on what you value. Internet television is usually more flexible: no installation, apps on any screen and plans you can change easily. Cable can be more predictable because it runs on a dedicated network. Your home broadband quality often decides which feels better day to day.
How fast does my broadband need to be?
There is no single figure. Stability matters as much as speed, higher resolutions need more bandwidth, and each screen watching at once adds to the total.
The takeaway
Internet television is the umbrella; IPTV is the part of it built around live channels, a programme guide and flexible player apps. Decide which type matches how you watch, check what is lawful where you live, and test the service on your own network before committing.
