IPTV Benefits and Advantages: Why It’s the Future of Television
Hello friends, My name is Abu Bakar, I’ll be talking about IPTV – Internet Protocol Television. You might be using it knowingly or unknowingly, and many people may not even realize what IPTV is and how it works. So in this video, we’ll discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and which companies are offering IPTV services—like BSNL, Jio, Airtel, and many other major telecom operators.
Stay tuned till the end—this video contains lots of interesting insights. Let’s begin!
IPTV and Where Is It Popular?
IPTV is extremely popular in regions like Europe, Canada, and the USA. In India, however, it’s still growing and hasn’t spread widely yet.
Recently, BSNL launched its IPTV service on a trial basis in three cities of Kerala: Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Thrissur. According to regulations, only those companies providing broadband services are permitted to offer IPTV—giving telecom giants the authority to introduce IPTV to their customers.
IPTV is essentially a simple system: Instead of watching TV channels through satellite or dish antennas, you watch them using internet data. This is the core concept of IPTV.
Examples of Indian IPTV Platforms
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Jio Fiber + Jio TV Plus
Through Jio TV Plus, users can stream live TV—this is an IPTV-based service. -
BSNL Bharat Fiber
BSNL is offering IPTV based on its Bharat Fiber broadband service, aiming to expand across India.
These companies often bundle services—broadband + IPTV—making it cheaper and more accessible. There’s no need for a satellite dish; all you need is an internet connection and a device.
How IPTV Works in Practice
In countries abroad, you can purchase M3U subscription links, which are essentially access links to IPTV servers for as little as ₹2000–₹3000 per year. These links allow you to run IPTV services through any supported app. However, this method often violates copyright laws, which is why it’s not legally allowed in India.
Despite this, such systems let users abroad (e.g., someone in the US) stream Indian channels. But again, this can breach licensing and copyright rules.
What Is India Doing Differently?
BSNL, for example, has launched a dedicated IPTV app. No set-top box is required. If you have an Android TV or use a streaming stick, you can simply install the app and enjoy live TV. You’ll get a single bill for both broadband and IPTV services.
Private players like Airtel are also entering this space. Airtel launched a ₹1999 bundle that includes broadband, phone, and TV services. Airtel’s platform, “Xstream,” is already offering VOD and live TV under a similar model.
Popular IPTV Integrations in OTT Platforms
OTT platforms like:
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Hotstar gives access to Star channels
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Sony LIV streams Sony channels
Many of these platforms are now interconnected and operate through IPTV systems. So, the boundaries between traditional cable and IPTV are disappearing.
BSNL’s IPTV Strategy
BSNL has partnered with:
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Cineverse – their technology provider
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Bhumika Digital – for entertainment content
Through this, they offer:
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Live TV
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Radio services
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VOD (Video on Demand)
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All in one app, with a basic subscription fee
Benefits of IPTV
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No dependency on satellite or dish: If cable lines are down or satellite signal is weak, you can still watch TV using the internet.
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Video on Demand: Request a movie or show and watch instantly.
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Multi-device support: Watch IPTV on your phone, tablet, PC, or TV.
Drawbacks of IPTV
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High-speed internet is required: For smooth HD or 4K streaming, a fast connection is essential.
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Not suitable for limited data plans: Since IPTV consumes a lot of data, unlimited plans are preferred.
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Fully dependent on internet: If your connection is slow or unstable, the experience will suffer.
Personal Experience and Bonus Tip
I personally use JioTV and AirtelTV on my Android TV and mobile.
They offer live TV, VOD, and sports like cricket.
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New users can get ₹1519 on first deposit and 20% cashback using my referral link!
Final Thoughts
If you have any questions or suggestions about IPTV, drop them in the comments—I’ll reply as soon as possible.
Let me know:
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Are you already using an IPTV service?
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If yes, which one?
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If not, do you plan to try one soon?
What is IPTV?
The full form of IPTV is Internet Protocol Television. As the name suggests, it works entirely through the internet, which means you must have an internet connection to use it. Nowadays, 5G mobile internet or a fiber broadband connection from any provider is sufficient to run IPTV.
How to Access IPTV?
There are two types of IPTV services: Free-to-Air and Paid Services.
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Free-to-Air IPTV offers limited channels, often not very useful or of high quality.
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Paid IPTV Services offer thousands of channels, premium features, and VOD (Video on Demand) options.
Let’s understand the difference between Live TV Services and VOD Services (referred to as “Board Services” in some contexts):
Traditionally, we’ve used DTH (Direct-to-Home) and cable for watching TV. But now, with IPTV, you can stream TV over the internet. To do so, you either:
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Use a free IPTV source (available via Google and other websites, though they are often not reliable), or
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Use a paid IPTV service, which provides access to high-quality live TV, movies, and web series.
How to Use Paid IPTV?
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Download an IPTV player app from the Play Store.
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The app will require three fields:
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Profile Name (can be anything),
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Username and Password (provided by your IPTV provider),
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URL (also provided by the provider).
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Once entered, you’ll see three main sections in the app:
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Live TV – Thousands of global live channels.
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Movies – Hollywood, Bollywood, regional movies, etc.
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Web Series – Access to various series from different countries.
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How VOD Differs from Live TV:
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VOD (Board Services): The content (like movies or series) is already uploaded on the server. You select and play what you want to watch.
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Live TV: Channels are streamed in real-time from the server, similar to traditional television but over the internet.
This system is widely adopted now, especially in urban areas. However, in rural areas where internet access is limited, adoption is slower.
Comparison: IPTV vs. DTH
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Storage & Channel Limits:
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DTH set-top boxes (whether HD, 4K, etc.) have storage and channel limits.
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Satellites have limited bandwidth (KU band, C band), so they can only broadcast a fixed number of channels. Expanding requires launching new satellites.
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Geographic Restrictions:
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If your location doesn’t receive certain satellite signals, or you want to watch international content, IPTV is the better option.
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IPTV Benefits:
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No need to download movies.
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One-click access to global content.
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You can watch content directly without ads or delays.
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What Else Does IPTV Offer?
Some IPTV providers create dedicated channels for popular shows so users don’t miss out. Additionally:
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You can watch movies on demand, skipping advertisements.
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If your TV is not smart, use an Android Box or Fire Stick to enable IPTV.
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If your TV is already a Smart TV, just download an IPTV app that accepts username, password, and URL input.
The IPTV market is projected to reach USD 194.21 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 18.96%.
This growth is being driven by the increasing deployment of 5G and LTE networks, advancements in wireless communication technology, a growing demand for video-on-demand (VOD) and high-definition (HD) channels, and the rising global internet penetration rate. These factors together are expanding the IPTV market size.
Hello, I’m Terry, Product Director.
In this video, we will explain what IPTV is and why it’s gaining so much popularity.
Examples of IPTV platforms include:
YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock TV.
These platforms illustrate how IPTV is revolutionizing television, replacing traditional broadcasting models.
Why is IPTV gaining traction?
Here are some of the key benefits that explain its rapid adoption:
For Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Broadband Operators:
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Enhanced service offerings: IPTV allows ISPs to offer premium services such as Video on Demand (VOD), rather than just live channels.
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Increased customer loyalty and revenue: Bundling IPTV with broadband services improves user retention and increases revenue per customer.
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Targeted advertising: Ads can be inserted at any point in a video—start, middle, or end—boosting advertising revenue.
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Bandwidth usage: IPTV requires more bandwidth than standard internet usage, encouraging customers to upgrade their internet packages for better viewing experiences.
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Cost-effective deployment: IPTV runs on existing IP-based infrastructure, eliminating the need for additional investment in coaxial cable or satellite equipment.
For Hotel Operators:
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Custom content delivery: Hotels can easily showcase promotional content like hotel introductions, room service information, and laundry services through video.
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Guest convenience: Guests can watch live events, movies, and documentaries without missing out, enhancing their overall experience.
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Information services: IPTV systems can display useful info such as tourist guides, weather updates, facility details, and even Wi-Fi passwords.
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Operational efficiency: Automating information delivery reduces the need for staff, lowering operational costs and increasing efficiency.
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Revenue growth: Providing premium IPTV services can improve customer satisfaction, leading to better reputation and increased bookings year after year.
Conclusion
With its numerous advantages over traditional TV—such as flexibility, targeted advertising, efficient deployment, and enhanced user experience—IPTV is expected to continue gaining popularity among both internet providers and hospitality businesses.
