Which TVs Connects To What Streaming Services? (Quick Overview)

As the streaming landscape expands with various platforms emerging, understanding how these services work with smart TVs is important.

In this article, we’ll explore the connections between streaming services and various smart TV brands, and the factors that really matters.

Let’s dive in.

Compatibility of Streaming Services with Smart TVs

Here are some popular streaming services and their compatibility with smart TV platforms:

Netflix: Netflix is compatible with many smart TV platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, LG WebOS, Samsung Tizen, and Android TV. Most new smart TVs have the Netflix app pre-installed or available for download from their respective app stores.

Hulu: Hulu is supported on several devices, including Amazon Fire TV (Fire OS 5.0 and later), Android phones and tablets, Android TV devices, and select smart TVs. Ensure your smart TV’s software is up to date for the best Hulu experience.

Amazon Prime Video: Prime Video is available on numerous smart TV platforms such as Fire TV, Roku, LG WebOS, Samsung Tizen, and Android TV. Like Netflix, most modern smart TVs come with Prime Video pre-installed or available in the app store.

Disney+: Disney+ can be accessed on various devices, including smart TVs by Samsung, LG, and Vizio, as well as streaming devices like the Fire TV Stick and Roku devices.

Streaming Service	Smart TV Platforms
Netflix	Roku, Fire TV, WebOS, Tizen, Android TV
Hulu	Fire TV, Android TV, select smart TVs
Prime Video	Fire TV, Roku, WebOS, Tizen, Android TV
Disney+	Samsung, LG, Vizio, Fire TV Stick, Roku

Most streaming services are compatible with a wide range of smart TV platforms.

Always ensure that your smart TV software is up to date and check whether your preferred streaming apps are pre-installed or available for download from the app store.

What TVs are EASIEST to use with streaming services?

Some of the easiest-to-use smart TVs for streaming, in my opinion, are the:

• Apple TVs
• Roku Plus series TV.

I personally use Samsung. It’s not terribly difficult to use with Netflix, etc. but it is a bit slow and tedious to use. You can check my opinion on the many OS versions here.

The above-mentioned systems have great compatibility with popular streaming apps, allowing users to easily access their favorite content.

Samsung S95B OLED

The Samsung S95B OLED is a top choice for streaming enthusiasts, as it offers various smart features designed to enhance your viewing experience. It supports Bixby, Google Assistant, and Alexa voice assistants, enabling voice control for the television. This means users can simply tell their TV which show or movie to play, making streaming a breeze.

Bravis X95K Mini LED TV

The Bravia X95K Mini LED TV is another smart TV that excels in streaming capabilities.

This TV features the well-designed Android TV interface, which provides a vast selection of apps and streaming services.

It also enables users to easily customize their on-screen layout, making navigation towards preferred streaming services more user-friendly.

Roku Plus

Lastly, the Roku Plus series TV stands out due to its built-in Roku platform. Roku is known for simplicity and ease of use, so users can quickly access streaming services like:

• Netflix,
• Hulu,
• and Amazon Prime Video.

The TV’s interface displays all apps clearly and even offers personalized recommendations based on your viewing history.

When considering a smart TV, it’s essential to look for one that offers easy access to streaming apps and simple navigation for an optimal streaming experience. The Samsung S95B OLED, Bravia X95K Mini LED TV, and Roku Plus series TV are all known for providing these features, making them ideal choices for those looking to enjoy seamless streaming experiences.

How to Connect Streaming Services to Your Smart TV

In this section, we will discuss the process of connecting popular streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, to your smart television.

There are two primary ways to achieve connection: using built-in applications and using external devices.

Built-In Applications

Most smart TVs come with built-in applications that allow users to access popular streaming services directly from the television’s interface.

To access these services:

1. Turn on your smart TV and navigate to its app store or streaming service section.
2. Locate the desired streaming service application.
3. Download and install the application if it’s not pre-installed.
4. Launch the application and sign in with your account credentials or sign up for a new account.

Remember, different brands and models of smart TVs may have slight variations in their interfaces, but the above steps should generally work for most of them.

Using External Devices

For those who don’t have a smart TV or prefer using an external streaming device, there are many options available, such as:

• Roku,
• Apple TV,
• Chromecast
• and Amazon Fire Stick.

Here are some of the problems with Fire Sticks to be aware of.

These devices connect to your TV via an HDMI port and grant access to streaming services.

To connect an external device to your TV, follow these steps:

1. Plug the streaming device into an available HDMI port on your TV.
2. Switch your TV to the HDMI input channel corresponding to the used HDMI port.
3. Connect your streaming device to the internet, usually via Wi-Fi.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by your streaming device to set it up and connect to your desired streaming service apps.

Remember that each external device may have distinct setup processes, so refer to the instructions provided by the device’s manufacturer.

Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues

Common Problems and Solutions

When experiencing streaming issues on your smart TV, there are a few common problems and steps you can take to fix them.

Problem: Slow streaming or buffering issues

• Solution: Check your internet connection speed.
  • Apple TV users can download Speedtest by Ookla from the App Store.
  • Wait for the test to run, and ensure your connection meets the recommended speed for the streaming service.

Problem: Casting or app update issues on Chromecast

• Solution: Update the app you’re trying to cast on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Tap the App Store icon, then tap your Profile image.
  • Scroll down to the Update section. If an update is required for the app you’re trying to cast, follow the steps to complete the update.

Problem: Roku remote not working

• Solution: Perform a power cycle and reset the remote.
  1. Remove the power cable from the Roku device.
  2. Remove the batteries from the remote.
  3. Plug the Roku device back in, and wait for it to finish booting up.
  4. Replace the batteries in the remote and check if it’s working properly.

Problem: Sign-in issues or account-related problems on Android TV

• Solution: Verify your account settings.
  • Go to Settings (gear icon) > Accounts & Sign In to see which account you’ve used to sign in on your Android TV.
  • Make sure you’re signed in with the correct account.

Problem: Smart TV not launching apps or loading properly

• Solution: Adjust your smart TV’s settings to improve performance.
  • For example, on LG TVs:
    1. Press the gear button on the remote.
    2. Select the ⋮ “All Settings” icon.
    3. Head to General > System > Additional Settings > Home Settings.
    4. Disable “Home Auto Launch” and “Home Updating.”

These solutions are just a starting point for troubleshooting connectivity issues on your smart TV. Remember, it’s important to keep your TV’s software and any streaming applications up to date to ensure the best possible streaming experience.