NBC Live Streaming Comes to Android and iOS

As of late more and more networks and cable companies have been adding the option to live stream sports, news, and TV shows right to our Android or iOS devices, and today NBC just announced some good news. They’ve introduced live streaming of both old and new content for Android and iOS.

Most older shows can now be live streamed to Android or iOS for free, and almost any current live TV content can be viewed on mobile devices with a valid and current cable subscription to any of the participating cable companies, most of which are supported by NBC. This is different than the Sports Live Extra streaming app that rarely works on Android, and we have more details below.

Read: CBS Live Streaming Comes to Apple TV

American broadcasters are slowly but surely bringing live TV to mobile phones and tablets, and NBC’s latest changes and updates to both their Android and iOS apps delivers exactly that. The update has introduced live streaming for Android smartphones and tablets, as well as for all iOS devices. Read on for all the information, as well as a few catches regarding the live streaming options.

A significant update to the NBC app on both Android and iOS arrived today and the key feature and most noteworthy change is the easy access to live streaming TV and content. This is available from some cable companies themselves, but now NBC is doing it on their own, following a successful and similar approach as others such as WatchESPN.

The all-new NBC app allows you to watch the network’s full current lineup as well as a pretty broad selection of older TV series. Some shows and series are accessible for anyone to view while others require that you are a subscriber of a specific cable service, such as Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Optimum, Verizon Fios, or AT&T U-Verse to name a few.

All the live shows and live TV streaming do have one small catch though, and the problem is you’ll only be able to live stream current content if NBC owns your local affiliate station. Luckily for most they do, but most likely a few smaller regions and certain locations around the US won’t be so lucky, and some users may not be able to get all the live stream action being released to the public today. Here’s a list of what’s new and what to expect:

• Live video stream of NBC programming available for cable/satellite subscribers in select markets.
• Expanded full-episode library of classic NBC shows available, including The A-Team, Miami Vice, Kojak, Battlestar Galactica, The Incredible Hulk, Knight Rider and more!
• Now available on even more Android devices!

The update added live streaming of NBC programming for cable subscribers, a huge selection of full episode libraries of many classic shows, and even more importantly the support for more Android devices. We’re hearing the update is enabling the app to work on many older Android smartphones and tablets, as well as improved support for Android 5.0 Lollipop, even though that isn’t specifically mentioned. Get the new apps today.

Download: NBC (iTunes)

Download: NBC (Google Play)

While the new app has support for Apple’s AirPlay, there is no support for Google’s Chromecast, at least not yet, but there are a wide array of 3rd party cast apps (like AllCast) that will mirror the content to Chromecast with ease even though it isn’t fully supported by NBC.

This is all in addition to being able to login on any PC or laptop and enjoy the same content, for those who don’t want to be limited exclusively to mobile devices like a smartphone or a tablet. As a comparison CBS offers nearly the same thing, but less of a library of older content unless you sign up for CBS All Access for $6 a month.

NBC is just one of many who’ve recently made this switch or addition to their services, and we can expect more to do the same throughout 2015.