What is IPTV and how does it work?

IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. Instead of reaching your TV through an antenna, a satellite dish or a cable line, the picture arrives as data over an internet connection, the same way a web page or a video call does. Wikipedia's IPTV article (opens in a new tab) describes it as the delivery of television over IP networks, in contrast to traditional terrestrial, satellite and cable broadcasting.

How IPTV works, step by step

1. A source prepares the stream. A TV channel, broadcaster or video service encodes its programmes into a digital video stream.
2. The stream travels over the internet. It is split into small data packets and sent over the network to whoever requests it.
3. A player receives and plays it. An app on your TV, Fire TV Stick, phone or tablet collects the packets, puts them back in order and shows the picture, usually a few seconds after you press play. This is streaming (opens in a new tab), rather than downloading a whole file first.

The three kinds of IPTV viewing

Live TV plays channels in real time, like a normal TV. Catch-up or time-shifted TV lets you watch a programme that already aired, when the source offers it. Video on demand (VOD) lets you browse a library of films or series and start any of them whenever you like.

Playlists, logins and TV guides

IPTV services usually give subscribers either a playlist link (often in the M3U format (opens in a new tab)) or a username and password for their service. Many also provide an electronic programme guide (EPG) that shows what's on and what's next. A player app reads these and turns them into a menu you can browse with your remote.

A player is not a provider

This difference matters. An IPTV provider supplies channels or videos. An IPTV player is the app that plays them. King IPTV is a player: it gives you a clean way to open and browse the playlists and service logins that you're authorized to use, but it doesn't sell, host or include any channels or content. Before adding a source, make sure it's one you have the legal right to watch. You can read more in our Disclaimer.

What you need to watch IPTV at home

• A compatible device, such as an Amazon Fire TV Stick, an Android phone or tablet, an iPhone or iPad, or a compatible Smart TV. See which devices King IPTV supports.
• A stable internet connection. As a rough guide, the FCC's broadband speed guide (opens in a new tab) suggests about 3–4 Mbps for standard-definition streaming, 5–8 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. A wired connection or strong Wi-Fi helps.
• A player app, like King IPTV.
• A content source you're authorized to use, from a provider of your choice.

Why people choose IPTV

IPTV works on screens you already own, follows you from the living room to a phone or tablet, and puts live TV and on-demand libraries in one menu. Quality depends on your connection, your device and the source, so it's worth testing before you commit.

Want to try a player on your own device first? Read how to get a King IPTV subscription, or go straight to our free trial page.