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Cable and satellite deliver live channels through a box and a dedicated line, usually on a contract. Streaming apps like Netflix or Disney+ give you an on-demand library, but little or no live TV — and each service is a separate subscription. IPTV combines both: live channels from around the world and a library of movies and series, in one app, over your normal internet connection.
Side-by-side comparison
| Cable / satellite | Streaming apps | IPTV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Cable line or dish | Internet | Internet |
| Equipment | Provider's box, installer | None (app) | None (app) |
| Live TV channels | Yes, national focus | Little or none | Yes, worldwide |
| Live sports & PPV | Often extra packages | Limited, split across services | Included |
| Movies & series on demand | Limited | Yes, per service | Included |
| Devices | The TV with the box | Most devices | Almost any device |
| Contract | Often a fixed-term contract | Monthly, renews automatically | Prepaid plan, no auto-renewal (POKTV) |
| Setup | Installer appointment | Minutes | About 10 minutes |
Cable and satellite
Good at: reliable live TV, simple remote, no internet needed (satellite).
Less good at: equipment and installation, long contracts, packages that split sports and films into extras, and a channel line-up focused on one country. Watching on a second TV or a phone usually costs more.
Streaming apps (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+…)
Good at: original series and films, polished apps, works everywhere.
Less good at: live TV and sports. Each service has its own library, so following the shows and matches you want often means paying for several subscriptions — and titles move between services.
Ready to watch?
Try every channel free for 24 hours. No payment, no commitment.
IPTV
Good at: live channels from many countries, sports and PPV events, plus a large movie and series library — all in one subscription and one app. No box, no installer, and it works on Smart TVs, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, phones and computers.
Things to know:
- It needs a stable internet connection — 15 Mbps for HD, 30 Mbps for 4K. → Internet speed for IPTV
- A subscription is one stream at a time. Two screens at once means two subscriptions.
- You install a player app once. → Best IPTV player for every device
Which one is right for you?
- You mostly watch live channels and sports from several countries: IPTV.
- You only watch one streaming service's originals: that streaming app.
- You have no reliable internet: satellite.
- You pay for several streaming apps plus a sports package: IPTV usually replaces most of them with one subscription — test it first and decide.
How POKTV works
- 150,000+ live channels plus the full VOD library in every plan — plans differ only in length.
- HD, Full HD and 4K where the source provides it.
- No automatic renewals — we never store your card or charge you again by ourselves.
- 7-day money-back guarantee.
- Free 24-hour test with full access and no card — the line arrives in under a minute.
See current plans on the pricing section.
FAQ
Is IPTV the same as streaming?
Both use the internet. "Streaming apps" usually means on-demand services like Netflix; IPTV adds live TV channels to an on-demand library.
Can IPTV replace my cable subscription?
For most people, yes — it carries live channels, sports and films. The free test is the easiest way to check that the channels you watch are there.
Do I need a contract for IPTV?
Not with POKTV. You buy a plan for a fixed period, and it never renews automatically.
Can I keep my Smart TV?
Yes. IPTV runs as an app on most Smart TVs — no new hardware. → Samsung · LG · Firestick
