So you got here out of the vacation with an elaborate new 4K TV? It doesn’t get a great deal higher than that. After unboxing it and finding the correct spot for your dwelling room, the next essential step is downloading the proper apps to showcase that large display screen.

The easiest, quickest way to discover these apps is to open the app and keep it on your TV — whether or not it’s a Roku TV, Samsung TV, LG, Sony, Vizio, or something else — and look for a list of the most popular downloads. You’ll probably spot many of the picks that I’ve blanked.

Note that no longer all of these apps might be to be had on each clever TV. The high-quality way to maximize your content material choice is to shop for a set-pinnacle container with a Roku Premiere, Fire TV Stick 4K, or Apple TV 4K. (For complete information on which hardware you want for which apps, test out The Verge Cord Cutter’s Guide: Hardware, Software, and Services.)

I’ve divided the listing into several categories: “TV Everywhere” apps, which can be associated with traditional cable stations; TV streaming offerings that are an opportunity to cable; and standalone, specialized apps.

Our favorite and maximum-used apps, games, and utilities have been rounded up. Look for our picks for iPhones, PCs, and Macs, our favorite games for iOS and Android, and our top selections for the PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.

TV EVERYWHERE APPS TV Everywhere

These apps require a cable account login to get the most from them. If you want to observe full-length episodes, you’ll sign in. Most essential cable networks have their very own app.

There’s nothing better about looking at your applications through these standalone apps than just pulling up the on-demand options for those channels in your cable container. But if you prefer to keep things separated or hate your cable interface, they’re a nice option to fall back on. I’ve indexed them here and the offerings where they’re available.

Many apps now receive login credentials from DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and other OTT TV companies, including FuboTV.

• A&E
• Available from Fire TV and Roku
• ABC
• Available from Fire TV and Roku
• AMC
• Available from Fire TV and Roku
• BBC America
• Available from Fire TV and Roku
• BET
• Available from Fire TV and Roku
• CBS
• Available from Fire TV and Roku
• Comedy Central
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• The CW
• E!
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• Epix
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• Food Network
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• Fox
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• Fox Sports
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• HBO Go
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• HGTV
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• History
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• IFC
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• Lifetime
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• MTV
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• NBC
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• NBC Sports
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• Nickelodeon
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• Syfy
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• TBS
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• TNT
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• USA
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• VH1
• Available from Amazon and Roku
• TV STREAMING SERVICES

Over the past couple of years, we’ve visible a wave of net TV apps that you could enroll in as an alternative for cable — or in case you don’t have a line. Prices range from $25 for Sling TV to over $70 for the complete channel packages from DirecTV Now and PlayStation Vue. You’ll surely want to reference our Cord Cutter’s Guide for help picking the only one that gives your favorite channels.

• DirecTV Now
• FuboTV
• Hulu with Live TV
• Philo
• PlayStation Vue
• Sling TV
• YouTube TV
• STANDALONE STREAMING APPS

Roku

These are both the streaming variations of particular channels or offer specialized content. My list consists of the apparent necessities along with Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video, but I’ve brought others that aren’t pretty as well known. I received’t hassle describing the plain have to-haves to you. However, I’ve included some feedback about some of the lesser-known apps you might want to remember.

CBS All Access Crackle

Netflix stole away Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee; however, Crackle has an okay blend of movies. It’s an excellent Sunday afternoon provider.

• Crunchyroll
• DC Universe
• ESPN+
• Google Play TV & Movies
• HBO Now
• Hulu
• MLB.TV
• Movies Anywhere
• Netflix
• Prime Video
• Pandora
• PBS
• PBS Kids
• Plex
• The Roku Channel

In case you’re okay with masses of ads, I have a decent desire for random older movies.

• Showtime
• Shudder
• Spotify
• Starz
• Twitch
• UFC
• Vudu

In my opinion, Walmart’s Vudu might be the pleasant unmarried supply for 4K HDR / Dolby Vision movies if you don’t mind paying rent or purchasing them.