Microsoft understands productivity, but mostly seems empty on entertainment. Try watching TV shows on Windows 10 and you will see the problem first hand. The same goes for movies.
Windows 10 has apps and a dedicated store for watching TV shows and movies, but none of them feel full-featured. The Windows Store is full of movies without fullscreen options. It does not offer Ultraviolet support to digitize your physical media collection. Nor can you put together playlists of your own television shows and movies. There is no wish list to keep track of movies you might find interesting. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that the company seems to know that its video offerings are in trouble. App studios teams are gradually adding new features to the Movies & TV app to make it more palatable. What’s more, app makers are definitely starting to adopt the platform in big ways. A dedicated app for an all-digital television service has recently arrived in the Windows Store. There are lots of apps associated with cable subscriptions that also go to the Windows Store.
There are some great ways to watch TV shows on Windows 10.
Watch TV Shows on Windows 10: Microsoft Movies & TV
Movies & TV, Microsoft’s homemade app for watching videos, is the dedicated video player for movies and television shows that you can buy from the Windows Store. In Europe this same app is known as Movies & TV.
Content you purchase from the Windows Store is not available anywhere else but on a device running Windows 8, Windows 10, or Xbox. Microsoft recently took away the ability to watch videos purchased for Movies & TV on its website. Each of the apps syncs the viewing progress on every device you’re signed in to with your Microsoft Account.
TV show prices may vary. All seasons start at $20. Individual episodes can cost as little as $1.99 for standard definition and $2.99 for high definition.
Watch TV Shows on Windows 10: Hulu
One of the oldest online video streaming companies to launch, of Hulu Its raison d’etre has always been broadcast and cable television. With Netflix and other services, you have to wait weeks, maybe months, for your favorite shows to get completely new seasons. Hulu streams broadcast and cable shows the day after they appear on television.
lculig / Shutterstock.com
The service offers two programming layers. First, there’s the $7.99 monthly plan, which includes what they describe as “limited business cuts.” Second, there’s a $11.99 subscription with no ads. A limited number of movies and original programming are also available through the service.
Watch TV Shows on Windows 10: Netflix
You can watch TV shows using Windows 10, the oldest of all video-on-demand services. Netflix without problem. The company recently updated its app, introducing support for 4K video content and autoplay at the end of each episode.
Netflix has three pricing tiers. Depending on how many streams you think you need and how much you’re willing to pay for high-definition content, you should choose which one. At $7.99, everything is standard definition and you can only stream to one device at a time. For $9.99 per month, you get two simultaneous video streams and access to high definition content. The $11.99 Netflix plan is perfect for families and hobbyists. It includes four simultaneous video streams and access to 4K video content. 4K is short for video content that has four times the quality of high definition video. You will need a television and a streaming device that supports the format.
Watch TV Shows on Windows 10: Sling TV
Netflix abandons the traditional cable model. Sling TV tries to modernize it. If you want to watch TV shows live on Windows 10, this is the best way to do it.
hanger tv Packages start at $20 per month for around 25 different channels and expand from there. The $25 package includes 40 different channels. Each channel is available for $40. The two cheaper packages take or leave ESPN. Therefore, it is best to take this into account when choosing your plan.
Watch TV Shows on Windows 10: CBS and SeeSo
Many cable networks have dedicated apps for watching TV Shows on Windows 10. There are TBS, History, Lifetime, Bravo, AMC, USA, A&E, Disney, Syfy, Crackle and FX. Search for them in the Windows Store, but be aware that you will need a cable subscription to enjoy the full programming episodes in each.
GIS and seeso are two standalone applications that do not require a cable description. The first is linked to the CBS All Access service it will carry. Star Wars: Discovery Sometime in 2017. Those who subscribe to the service for $9.99 per month also get access to a live television stream.
Seeso offers on-demand comedy video streams from NBC’s programming library. It only costs $3.99 per month.
Enjoy these new ways to watch TV shows on Windows 10.
