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

The easiest, quickest way to discover these apps is to open the app keep 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 maximum popular downloads. You’ll probably spot many of the picks that I’ve blanke.

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 along with a Roku Premiere, Fire TV Stick 4K, or Apple TV 4K. (For complete information on the way to pick out 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.

We’ve rounded up our favorite and maximum-used apps, games, and utilities. Look for our picks for iPhones, PCs, and Mac; 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 are apps that 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 not anything better about looking at your applications through these standalone apps versus 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 together with the offerings where they’re available.

Note that many of those apps now receive login credentials from DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and different 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 an ultimate 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 cable, to begin with. 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 in 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 would possibly want to keep in mind.

CBS All Access Crackle

Netflix stole away Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee; however, Crackle nonetheless has an okay blend of movies to flow. 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

A decent desire for random older movies in case you’re ok with masses of ads.

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

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