IPTV basics · Updated 2026

Different Types of IPTV Services Explained

Different types of IPTV services: live TV, video on demand and catch-up

Quick answer: The main types of IPTV are live IPTV (real-time channels), video on demand (VOD), and time-shifted or catch-up TV. Most IPTV subscriptions combine all three in one app.

“IPTV” covers several ways of watching TV over the internet. Knowing the types helps you understand what an IPTV subscription includes and compare providers properly. If you are completely new, start with what IPTV is.

Live IPTV

Live IPTV streams channels in real time, just like cable: news, sports, network TV and events, organized in a program guide (EPG). This is the core of most IPTV subscriptions.

Video on demand (VOD)

VOD is a library of movies and series you can start whenever you want, with pause, rewind and resume. It works like Netflix inside your IPTV app.

Time-shifted and catch-up TV

Time-shifted TV lets you pause and rewind live channels. Catch-up TV keeps recently aired programs available for a period, often a few days, so you can watch a show you missed.

Near video on demand (NVOD)

NVOD plays the same content on several channels with staggered start times, so a movie starts every 15 or 30 minutes. It was common with pay-per-view and is less used today.

Free ad-supported TV (FAST)

FAST services stream live channels for free, funded by ads. Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus are examples.

Hybrid IPTV

Hybrid boxes combine traditional broadcast (antenna, cable or satellite) with IPTV on one device, giving you live broadcast channels plus on-demand content in a single interface.

Comparison of IPTV types

Type	Watch when?	Best for
Live IPTV	Real time	Sports, news, events
VOD	Any time	Movies and series
Catch-up	After airing	Shows you missed
NVOD	Scheduled starts	Pay-per-view style movies
FAST	Real time, free	Casual viewing

Which type do you need?

If you watch sports and news, live IPTV with a good EPG matters most. If you binge series, a large VOD library matters more. Most households want both, which is why our IPTV plans include live TV and on-demand content together.

Ready to switch? Compare our IPTV subscription plans, check the US channel list, or read what IPTV is and how it works.

Frequently asked questions

What are the three main types of IPTV?

Live IPTV, video on demand (VOD) and time-shifted or catch-up TV.

Is VOD the same as IPTV?

VOD is one type of IPTV. IPTV also includes live channels and catch-up TV.

What is catch-up TV?

A feature that lets you watch programs after they aired, usually for a limited number of days.

Does an IPTV subscription include movies?

Most do. Many IPTV subscriptions combine live channels with a library of movies and series.