Don’t let entanglements limit you. Cut the cord, switch off, and roam freely with the Spectrum TV App, an award-winning live TV streaming service offered for free to all Spectrum TV subscribers.
In the Comscore OTT Intelligence Report 2021-2023, the Spectrum TV App was declared the “most-viewed streaming service in the USA” based on the average number of hours spent on the application per household each month. Be it on a TV set, gaming console, or streaming player, the Spectrum TV App offers its users an ultimate feast for the senses through its expansive selection of top-rated video content.
So, let the magic begin as we explore the wondrous world of Spectrum TV App and unearth its hidden gems.
What is the Spectrum TV App?
The Spectrum TV App is an over-the-top (OTT) mobile application that can be downloaded for free from Google’s Play Store and the App Store. Spectrum TV subscribers can download the application and sign in using their Spectrum account credentials (username and password) to get the combined benefits of a cable TV subscription and streaming platforms. Spectrum’s TV App was designed to convert portable devices, like phones, tablets, and laptops, into TV screens so users can watch live TV on the go.
Offering more than 150 TV channels, thousands of on-demand titles, guided recordings, and advanced equipment settings, this TV app is effectively raising the bar for a superior quality, personalized TV viewing experience.
So, let’s explore some of the pros and cons of the Spectrum TV App to try and understand if this application is worth the storage space.
The Spectrum TV application for Android devices was first released in November 2011, and since then, it has been downloaded more than 10 million times. With a 4.5-star rating on the Google Play Store, this TV App allows pay-TV customers to watch their favorite movies, shows, and live TV channels on a range of approved devices, whether at home or on the move.
The above-average rating and over 200 thousand positive customer reviews prove that the pros of Spectrum TV App outweigh its cons. So let’s take a deeper look at why that is the case.
Pros
- Offered for free with Spectrum TV
- Access to over 150 live cable TV channels
- Includes more than 85,000 on-demand titles
- Offers entertainment on-the-go
- Personalized playlists
- Pair with DVR to record live TV
- Allows you to set parental controls
- Download and use on unlimited screens with Spectrum Internet.
Cons
- Compatible with a select few devices
- Spectrum TV subscription is a must
- Spectrum Internet is a must for simultaneous use on more than 2 devices.
Key Features of the Spectrum TV App
In March 2017, Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum, debuted its new and improved version of the Spectrum TV App. The goal was to offer customers a “unified viewing experience” by integrating live cable TV, streaming, recording, and curating capabilities in one application. As Rich DiGeronimo (Charter Communications’ Executive Vice President for Products and Strategy) had said, “It combines the best features and functions on a single app, giving customers greater flexibility and more content on a growing number of devices”.
There are only 3 things that you need to get the best of the Spectrum TV App; a Spectrum TV plan, a fast and stable WiFi connection (preferably Spectrum Internet), and an active Spectrum account (username and password).
The key features of the this app allow you to:
Watch Live TV On-the-Go
You can now put your fear of missing out (FOMO) to rest because, with the Spectrum TV App’s live TV streaming feature, you can watch sporting events, news, episodes, and movie premiers while away from a TV set. Its in-built ‘Live TV’ tab categorically lists all the programs that are currently being telecasted on Spectrum cable TV. You can click on the desired program and wait for a screen to pop up to catch the live stream.
View Thousands of On Demand Options
After loaded potatoes and shopping carts, Americans are taking their love of abundance to a new level with Spectrum TV App’s On Demand options. Spectrum’s huge selection of over 85,000 movies and shows (both free and paid) ensures that binge nights never come to an end.
Simply, click on the icon for On Demand on your Spectrum TV App’s home screen, and choose from a range of options, like ‘Featured’, ‘TV’, ‘Movies’, ‘Kids’, or ‘Networks’, to watch something worth your time without spending a dime. Here’s the best part. At the top of the ‘On Demand’ dashboard, you will see custom recommendations. Spectrum TV App’s advanced AI technology monitors your preferences (viewing history) to select and suggest the videos you may like to watch next. Thereby, doing the bulk load of searching for you.
Turn Any Screen Into A TV Screen
Spectrum TV App is compatible with an array of gadgets (mobile and streaming devices), allowing you to watch your favorite networks, anywhere, anytime. From Android/ Apple phones to Xbox One gaming consoles, an unlimited number of devices can be used to sign into the app, as long as you are connected to the Spectrum WiFi network for wireless internet connectivity. Download the app on an approved device, log in using your Spectrum ID and password, and transform various smart devices into a TV set.
Please note that multi-device usage of this application is limited to 2 screens if you are not using the Spectrum Internet for broadband connectivity.
Record, Store, and Replay
To record live TV programming, you must rent the Spectrum Cloud DVR, starting at $4.99 per month. The DVR storage can hold up to 100 shows for 360 days. You can delete the viewed recordings to create more storage space for new video clips. All the recordings are available on the Spectrum TV App under the ‘Spectrum Guide’ tab. You can browse the list to find the recording you want to watch and play it, forward it, pause it, or rewind it to satisfy your TV addiction.
Set Parental Controls
The Spectrum TV App can be used to set locks on content that falls under the “not suitable for children” category or disconnect your children’s devices from the streaming service to limit their screen time. You can go to ‘Settings’, select ‘Parental Controls’, and filter programs by ratings (PG-13, Rated-R, NC-17, etc.) or channels. You can set a PIN-protected password on the selected channels and videos to bar your children from viewing them.
Similarly, you can use the advanced settings of the Spectrum TV App to check how many users are signed into the application and on what devices. You can log out from the app by selecting your children’s devices and changing the password to restrict them from signing in during curfew hours.
Create Personalized Playlists
You can save and add your favorite TV channels, movies, and shows to ‘My Playlist’ on the Spectrum TV App. Go to the complete channel guide and find the program you want to add to your playlist. Select the program and click on ‘Add to Favorites’. Use your Spectrum TV remote to press ‘OK’. You can view your entire playlist by clicking on the tab that says ‘My Favorites’. Personalization through playlist curation helps users find their kind of TV content within a few seconds. At the moment, there is no restriction on the number of custom watchlists each user can create.
Installing and Setting Up the Spectrum TV App
| Compatible Device | Download/ Access From |
|---|---|
| Apple iOS (13+) & Apple TV (4th generation or 4K) | App Store |
| Android phones & tablets (version 5.0+) | Google Play |
| Kindle Fire & Fire HDX (2nd generation+) | Amazon Appstore |
| Roku streaming players & TVs (3rd generation+) | Roku Channel Store |
| Samsung Smart TV (models 2012 & higher) | ‘Search’ bar |
| Xbox One and above | Microsoft Store |
| Xumo Stream Box & Xumo TV | Homepage |
The first step is to search for the Spectrum TV App on the Google Play Store, App Store, Amazon App Store, or Roku Channel Store of the compatible devices listed above. You can download the app for free and click ‘Install’ to initiate the installation process on your device. On average, the application takes 17 megabytes (MB) of storage space.
You will be prompted to ‘Open’ the app once the Spectrum TV App is successfully installed on your device. Launch the application and sign in using your Spectrum username and password.
If you do not have an existing Spectrum online account, you can create one by installing the My Spectrum App and clicking on ‘Create a Username’ instead of ‘Sign In’. Most subscribers of Spectrum Internet and related services use the My Spectrum App to manage their plans, bill payments, user information, and service appointments effectively. You can also use the app to conveniently change your account settings and TV packages, and pay bills on time. After installing and registering for the My Spectrum App, open the app again and log in using the same username and password you have selected for a synchronized Spectrum account. Please note that online account creation and activation can take around 60 minutes. Therefore, it is best to sign into your Spectrum TV App after waiting a couple of hours.
Once you are in, you can use the app to navigate the various tabs for live TV, channel lineup, on-demand content, Guide listings, and ‘Favorites’ for endless entertainment at your fingertips.
What Devices are Compatible with Spectrum TV App?
The Spectrum TV App is supported on devices with official clearance from Charter Communications. For example, most new Android and iOS-powered devices are authorized to download and install the app. However, since LG and Spectrum failed to reach an agreement, none of the LG smart TVs carry the application in their app store.
Here is a list of all the compatible devices.
- Android- Phones and tablets that use Android version 5.0 and above
- Apple- iPhones, iPads, iPad Minis, and iPod Touch (using iOS 12 and above)
- Amazon- Kindle Fire (second-generation and higher) and Kindle Fire HDX
- Xbox One- All versions
- Samsung Smart TV- model 2012 and higher
- Xumo TVs (also known as XClass TVs)
- Roku- Roku 1, 2, 3, or 4 streaming players. Roku Express, Roku Express+, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+, Roku Ultra streaming players, and Roku Streaming Stick (third-generation and higher).
- Xumo Stream Box
- Google Chromecast- All devices
Conclusion
The Spectrum TV App is an all-in-one streaming platform that integrates the best of live cable TV, archived videos, and on-demand movies and shows. With over 150 TV channels, 85,000 most in-demand titles, and 100 recorded shows, the Spectrum TV App promises customized TV viewing to suit every house member’s unique taste buds. You can manage your DVR, create a playlist, set parental controls, or watch live TV on the go by tapping into the application’s advanced features. Just subscribe to a Spectrum TV package, download the app on an authorized device, and stay entertained wherever you are, whenever you want.
FAQs
