What is IPTV? Complete beginner's guide (2026)

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a system that delivers television channels and video content over the internet rather than through traditional cable or satellite signals. Instead of a coaxial cable or dish, your TV content travels through your broadband connection, which means you can watch on any device with an internet connection and a compatible app. Live TV, catch-up, and on-demand video all come through the same pipe.

If you have been thinking about cutting the cord, or you are just trying to understand what your friend means when they say "I use IPTV," this guide covers everything you need to know.

How IPTV works (in plain terms)

Traditional TV sends a continuous broadcast signal that every TV in range receives simultaneously. Cable TV sends that signal down a physical wire. Satellite sends it from orbit. You receive the entire broadcast whether you are watching it or not.

IPTV works differently. Instead of receiving everything simultaneously, your device sends a request to a server: "I want channel 101." The server streams just that channel to just your device. This is how the internet works for everything else, and it is why IPTV can offer vastly more channels without the signal degradation problems of traditional broadcast TV.

The content is packaged into small data packets, sent over the internet, reassembled by your device, and decoded into video in real time. This all happens fast enough that live sports streams arrive with only a few seconds of delay, sometimes less.

The software layer that handles all this on your device is called an IPTV player or IPTV app. Popular apps include IPTV Smarters Pro, TiviMate, and Kodi with an IPTV add-on. These apps connect to your provider using either an M3U playlist URL or Xtream Codes credentials (a server address plus username and password).

Types of IPTV

IPTV is not just live TV. A good IPTV subscription gives you three distinct things:

Live TV

Real-time broadcasts of TV channels, exactly as they air. Live news, live football, live entertainment. A quality IPTV service carries thousands of live channels from dozens of countries. WebflowMT, for example, carries 5500+ live channels spanning the UK, Germany, Malta, the Netherlands, Italy, and about 40 other countries. You watch the channel live, at the same time as everyone else watching it.

Video on demand (VOD)

A library of movies and TV series you can watch at any time, like Netflix but bundled into your IPTV subscription. The library size varies considerably between providers. WebflowMT includes 8000+ VOD titles. Good VOD libraries are updated regularly, not just a static catalog from a few years ago.

Catch-up TV

The ability to watch content that aired in the past, usually the past 7 days. Missed the game last night? Catch-up lets you watch it from the beginning. Not all providers offer catch-up, and not all channels support it even when the provider does. It is worth checking what catch-up coverage looks like before you commit.

IPTV vs cable TV vs satellite

Here is how the three compare on the things that actually matter:

Cost

Cable TV packages in Malta from GO or Melita typically start at €25-30/month for a basic package and climb to €60-80+ once you add sports and premium channels. Satellite setups require hardware investment plus an ongoing subscription. IPTV services start at around €5/month and rarely exceed €15/month for a full international package. The difference over a year is significant.

Channel selection

Cable providers carry locally licensed channels, which means their international selection is limited by what they have negotiated rights for. IPTV services can carry channels from any country because the licensing model is different. If you want German ARD and ZDF, British Sky Sports, and Arabic beIN Sports all in one subscription, IPTV is the only practical option.

Quality

Modern IPTV streams in HD (1080p) as standard and increasingly in 4K for major sports events. Cable quality is reliable but rarely offers 4K. Satellite can be excellent but is vulnerable to weather, which matters in Malta during summer storms. IPTV quality is dependent on your internet speed, not weather.

Flexibility

Cable and satellite require hardware at a fixed location. IPTV works on your phone, tablet, laptop, Smart TV, or set-top box, anywhere with an internet connection. You can watch on holiday in Germany on the same subscription you use at home in Malta. Most providers allow 1-3 simultaneous connections per account.

Contracts

Cable and satellite typically require 12-24 month contracts. IPTV subscriptions are usually monthly with no long-term commitment required. You can cancel any time. Annual plans offer discounts, but they are optional, not mandatory.

What you need to get started with IPTV

Internet speed

For standard definition: 5 Mbps per stream. For HD (1080p): 10-15 Mbps per stream. For 4K: 25+ Mbps per stream. Most broadband connections in Malta handle this easily. GO fiber and Melita cable typically offer 100 Mbps or more, which is more than enough for multiple simultaneous streams.

One important note: use ethernet for your main TV device rather than Wi-Fi if possible. Wi-Fi 2.4GHz in particular is unreliable for live streams in dense residential areas. A simple ethernet cable from your router to your TV box eliminates most buffering issues.

A compatible device

You almost certainly already own one. IPTV works on:

• Android phones and tablets (via IPTV Smarters Pro or TiviMate)
• iPhones and iPads (via IPTV Smarters Pro on the App Store)
• Amazon Firestick or Fire TV (via sideloaded apps)
• Android TV boxes (Nvidia Shield, Chromecast with Google TV, budget boxes)
• Samsung and LG Smart TVs (via built-in app stores or sideloading)
• Windows and Mac (via VLC, Kodi, or a web player)
• MAG set-top boxes (dedicated IPTV hardware)
• Enigma2 receivers (Dreambox, Vu+, etc.)

An IPTV subscription

You need credentials from an IPTV provider: either an M3U playlist URL or Xtream Codes login details (server URL, username, password). These come by email within minutes of subscribing. Enter them into your IPTV app and your full channel list loads automatically.

Before paying for a month, look for a free trial. WebflowMT offers a 24-hour free trial with no credit card required. That is enough time to test the channel quality, check buffering on your connection, verify that your specific device is compatible, and confirm the channel selection meets your needs.

IPTV in Malta: what to know

Malta has two main ISPs: GO (fiber and ADSL) and Melita (cable and fiber). Both work well for IPTV. GO fiber is consistent and well-suited to streaming. Melita cable has low latency, which helps with live sports. If you are on an older GO ADSL connection with limited speeds, check your actual broadband speed before assuming it is fast enough for HD streams.

Malta's population is diverse: you will find households where someone wants Maltese channels, someone wants BBC, someone wants German public television, and someone wants Arabic sports. Generic providers based in the UK often do not serve this combination well. WebflowMT was founded in Malta in 2019 specifically because of this gap. The channel selection reflects the actual viewing habits of people living here, not what is easiest to license for a UK market.

One thing to watch out for on both GO and Melita is peak-hour congestion. Not throttling exactly, but traffic prioritization. Between 7pm and 10pm when everyone is home streaming, some connections deprioritize video streaming traffic. If you experience this, a VPN set on your streaming device encrypts the traffic and bypasses prioritization. WebflowMT's support team can help with VPN configuration if needed.

Getting started: the practical steps

Start with a free trial. Go to webflowmt.com/shop and request the 24-hour trial. No credit card needed. You will receive your credentials by email within minutes.

Install an IPTV app on your device. For most people, IPTV Smarters Pro is the easiest starting point. It is available on the App Store, Google Play, and can be sideloaded on Firestick. TiviMate is another excellent option for Android TV devices and is worth paying for if you plan to watch long-term.

Enter your credentials. In the app, select "Xtream Codes" as your connection type, then enter the server URL, username, and password from your welcome email. The app loads your full channel list, EPG (electronic program guide), and VOD library automatically.

Test during the trial. Watch live TV, check the EPG accuracy, test the VOD library, and try any specific channels you care about. If everything works well, subscribe. If anything is off, contact support, they can often diagnose and resolve issues within the trial period.

Full device setup guides are available at webflowmt.com/how-to-install.

Frequently asked questions

What is IPTV?

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) delivers TV channels over the internet instead of cable or satellite. You receive live channels, on-demand video, and catch-up TV through your broadband connection using an app on your device.

How fast does my internet need to be for IPTV?

5 Mbps for standard definition, 10-15 Mbps for HD, and 25+ Mbps for 4K. These are per-stream figures. Most modern broadband connections in Malta comfortably exceed these requirements.

What devices support IPTV?

Android and iOS phones and tablets, Amazon Firestick, Android TV boxes, Samsung and LG Smart TVs, Windows and Mac computers, MAG boxes, and Enigma2 receivers. If it can run an app and connect to the internet, it can probably run IPTV.

What is the difference between IPTV and Netflix?

Netflix is on-demand only with its own content library. IPTV replicates the full TV experience: live channels, scheduled sports, news in real time, and international broadcasters, plus VOD. They are different tools. Many people use both.

Does IPTV work in Malta on GO and Melita?

Yes. Both GO and Melita work well for IPTV. Most buffering issues are Wi-Fi related, not the line. WebflowMT is Malta-based and optimized for local connections.

What is Xtream Codes in IPTV?

Xtream Codes is the login system most IPTV providers use. You receive a server URL, username, and password. Enter these into your IPTV app once and the app loads your full channel list, EPG, and VOD automatically. It is the simplest way to connect.