Streaming, IPTV and Kodi: how to unify Netflix, HBO, TDT and more

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Having Netflix on one device, Disney+ on another, HBO Max on your Smart TV and live TV through the antenna can feel like a mess nowadays. Jumping from one app to another, waiting for each to load, remembering where you watched what yesterday… it all adds friction to something that should be simple: sitting down and watching what you like without thinking too much about it.

The good news is that there’s a way to turn all that chaos into a single, powerful streaming hub: Kodi combined with IPTV and official add-ons for Netflix, Disney+, Max, DAZN, TDT and more. With the right configuration, Kodi can live on almost any device and become your “one-stop” media center where paid platforms, free Internet TV, local content and even recordings coexist in the same interface.

Why Kodi has become the ultimate streaming and IPTV hub

Kodi is an open‑source media center that can be installed on an impressive number of devices: Windows PCs, macOS, Linux machines, Android phones and tablets, iOS (with some extra steps), Raspberry Pi boards and, of course, Smart TVs and TV sticks based on Android TV or Google TV. It started its life as XBMC (Xbox Media Center) running on the original Xbox and later jumped to practically any screen you can imagine.

What really makes Kodi special is not just that it plays almost any video, audio or image format, but the fact that it’s modular. The core app is like a blank canvas; you extend it with add-ons (or “addons”) that work as internal mini‑apps. Thanks to these add-ons, Kodi can connect to Netflix, Disney+, Max, DAZN, Prime Video, YouTube, Twitch, Plex, Google Drive, IPTV lists for TDT and thousands of international channels, podcasts, music services and even retro games.

Another big advantage is that Kodi is free and community‑driven. The code is public on GitHub, the add‑on ecosystem is huge, and the pace of development is fast (with recent versions like Kodi 20 Nexus and Kodi 21 Omega). That’s also why the latest builds often appear first on their website or GitHub before they show up in app stores like Google Play.

There is a trade‑off: setting up Kodi exactly the way you want is not a five‑minute job. You’ll spend some time installing add‑ons, adding repositories, linking streaming accounts and tuning IPTV sources. But once that’s done, you get a level of integration that no single TV manufacturer or streaming app offers right now.

Installing Kodi on your main devices (PC, Android, Smart TV and more)

You can get Kodi from official stores or directly from its website, but the best approach depends on the device. The easiest way is usually to search for “Kodi” in the Windows Store, Google Play Store, or other app stores on your Smart TV or streaming stick, install it, and call it a day.

However, if you want the very latest version on Android (phone, tablet or Google TV / Android TV), the recommended route is to download the official APK from Kodi’s own download page or its GitHub releases. The developers themselves explain that they don’t always have the resources to keep the Play Store build fully up to date with every new release, so GitHub is where new versions land first.

On an Android phone or tablet, the APK route is simple: you visit the Kodi download page, choose Android, pick the build that matches your CPU (for most modern devices, ARMV8A), download the APK, enable installation from “unknown sources” in Android’s settings, and then tap the file in your Downloads folder to install it.

On a Smart TV or Android TV / Google TV device, you usually transfer the APK from your phone. A common combo is using an app like “Send Files to TV” on both devices to send the Kodi APK from your phone to the TV, plus a file manager like File Commander on the TV to locate and open that APK. Again, you’ll have to allow apps from unknown sources on the TV so the installation can complete.

On desktop systems, Kodi keeps it straightforward. You can download installers for Windows, macOS and Linux from the official site. There are also builds for Raspberry Pi and other platforms, all consolidated on the Kodi download page and mirrored in the public GitHub repository.

First steps: basic configuration and language settings

Once Kodi is installed and running, the first thing to do is to tame the interface so it feels natural to use. By default, the app usually starts in English and with a generic region and keyboard layout, which isn’t ideal if you’re planning to search for content, enter URLs or type login details often.

Changing the language and regional options only takes a minute. From the main screen you click the cogwheel icon (settings) in the upper left corner, then enter the “Interface” section. In the sidebar, select “Regional” and change the language, region and time format to what you actually use at home. If you type a lot inside Kodi, switch the virtual keyboard layout to something comfortable, such as “Spanish QWERTY” or your preferred layout.

Those small tweaks make everything else easier: typed searches will be less annoying, time stamps on recordings and EPG guides will match your local time, and menus will be in the language you’re most comfortable with. It also helps a lot when following tutorials or on‑screen prompts.

From here you can already use Kodi as a very capable local media player, pointing it to folders with your movies, TV shows, music or photos. But the real magic starts when you go into the “Add-ons” section and begin extending what Kodi can do with IPTV and streaming services.

Kodi add-ons: the key to unifying Netflix, Disney+, Max, DAZN and more

Add-ons are small plug‑ins that expand Kodi’s features way beyond simple playback. They are the reason you can turn the app into a universal TV platform, combining official VOD services, free live channels, tools, utilities and even security checks inside the same interface.

There are several types of add‑ons: video, music, images, games, program tools and more. Video add-ons are what enable you to connect to streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Prime Video, DAZN, Pluto TV, YouTube, Twitch or Plex. Others are focused on IPTV playback, TDT (DTT) integration, recording or even podcasts and news feeds.

Most users start with the big streaming apps so they don’t have to jump between native apps and HDMI inputs. If your TV’s operating system is limited or doesn’t support some services (for example, Samsung Tizen without an official Kodi app, or a basic TV without Max or DAZN), running Kodi on an external device (Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Android TV box, mini PC or Raspberry Pi) and installing these add-ons can unlock what the built‑in software can’t.

At the same time, Kodi’s add-on ecosystem is so large that you must be a bit careful. Most well‑known add-ons are safe, but third‑party repositories and ZIPs from unknown sites can hide malware or intrusive advertising. For that reason, many experienced users recommend installing a security‑focused add-on like SafeKodi, which scans new add-ons for malicious code, trackers or suspicious behaviour and warns you before you activate something risky.

SafeKodi itself is the result of a collaboration between academic researchers (Northwestern University) and Brave Software, and it’s a solid first add‑on to set up if you’re going to play with external repositories and ZIP files from GitHub or other sources.

How to install Kodi add-ons: official repo, external repositories and ZIP files

Kodi gives you three main ways to install add-ons: directly from the official repository, from external repositories or from standalone ZIP files. Learning how each method works is important if you want to access both the vetted, “safe” catalog and the more advanced community plugins.

The simplest method is to use the official repository built into Kodi. On the home screen, go to the “Add-ons” section, and then click on the open‑box icon (top right). From there you can choose “Install from repository”, browse by categories (Video add-ons, Music add-ons, PVR clients, etc.), search by name and install with one click. This is how you get official add-ons like YouTube, PVR IPTV Simple Client, Plex (under the name “Composite” in some builds), NASA or various podcast and news plug‑ins.

If you want Netflix, Disney+, Max, Pluto TV or other services that are not shipped in the official repo, you need to add external repositories. Repositories are just collections of add-ons served from a URL. To use them, you first have to enable “Unknown sources” in Kodi: go to Settings > System > Add-ons and toggle “Unknown sources” on, confirming the warning that appears.

Once unknown sources are enabled, you can add an external repo via the File Manager. In Settings you open “File manager”, choose “Add source”, enter the repository URL and assign it a name that you’ll recognise later. After saving this source, you go back to the Add-ons section and pick “Install from ZIP file”, locate the source you just created, select the repository ZIP, and wait a few seconds for Kodi to confirm the repo is installed.

From that point, the new repository appears under “Install from repository” with its own list of video add-ons. That’s how you install things like Netflix via castagnait’s repo, or Disney+, Max and Pluto TV through the SlyGuy repository. It’s also how you access add-ons for Prime Video, Twitch or Movistar Plus+ from their specific GitHub ZIP releases.

The third method is to install an add-on directly from a ZIP file you download yourself. This is handy for one‑off add-ons that don’t belong to a large repository or when you pull a specific release from GitHub. You download the ZIP to your device, then in Kodi go to Add-ons > Install from ZIP file, browse to the download location and select it. Kodi then installs the add-on and you’ll see it under the corresponding category (often Video add-ons).

Bringing major streaming platforms into Kodi (Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, DAZN, Filmin, Pluto TV…)

Kodi lets you gather almost all your mainstream streaming subscriptions in a single interface, as long as you have valid accounts for each platform. The add-ons don’t bypass paywalls or turn paid services into free content; they simply provide another way to log in and watch via Kodi. You must have an active subscription for Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, DAZN, Filmin, Movistar Plus+ and similar platforms.

For Netflix, one of the most popular options is the add-on distributed via the castagnait repository. You add the repo URL in Kodi’s File manager (using the external repository method), then go to “Install from repository”, open the castagnait repo and install the Netflix video add-on. Once it’s in your system, you open the add-on, enter your Netflix credentials and your profiles and watch history become available directly inside Kodi.

Disney+, Max (formerly HBO Max in some markets) and Pluto TV are often bundled in the SlyGuy repository. By adding the SlyGuy source (for example, with a URL like http://k.slyguy.xyz/ as your file source), installing the SlyGuy repo from ZIP, and then visiting it under “Install from repository”, you’ll see video add-ons for Disney+, Max, Pluto TV and other services. You install each service you use, open the add-on, and sign in with your official account.

Amazon Prime Video typically uses its own add-on maintained by community developers like Sandmann79. In this case, you download the appropriate ZIP from the developer’s GitHub releases page and use “Install from ZIP file” in Kodi to get it running. Again, you’ll be asked for your Prime Video login before you can access the content.

Filmin, Movistar Plus+ and similar regional services also have their own community add-ons. For Filmin, you might add a specific repository URL dedicated to that service, install the add-on from ZIP, and then log in with your Filmin username and password. For Movistar Plus+ you usually install two ZIP files from GitHub: one for the main video add-on (plugin.video.movistarplus) and another for subtitle handling (script.module.ttml2ssa). Once both are installed, you sign in and get direct access to live channels and on‑demand content included in your Movistar package.

DAZN, the sports‑focused platform, is another big piece of the puzzle. In some regions you can install a DAZN add-on from a dedicated repository such as Koniders or from within broad community repos. After installation, you authenticate with your DAZN credentials and then you can watch football (including LaLiga EA Sports in supported markets), Formula 1, MotoGP and other live and on‑demand sports directly inside Kodi.

Pluto TV is a special case because it’s free and ad‑supported. Within repos like SlyGuy you can install Pluto TV without needing any login at all. It gives you dozens or hundreds of themed channels (depending on your country), all accessed through Kodi’s familiar interface, and it pairs nicely with other free IPTV sources.

IPTV and TDT in Kodi: from Spanish DTT to thousands of international channels

Where Kodi really distances itself from a typical Smart TV is in the way it handles IPTV lists for live TV. IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is just TV delivered over IP instead of traditional broadcast methods; what most end‑users see is a playlist file (usually M3U) that lists channels and their stream URLs.

Legal IPTV lists aggregate public and free streams from national broadcasters, regional channels and international stations. Projects like IPTV-org maintain enormous, open‑source playlists hosted on GitHub that include thousands of channels collected from official public sources. These lists are updated constantly by a community of contributors, so broken links are replaced and new channels appear frequently.

For a global view, IPTV-org offers master playlists with around 11,000 channels. On its GitHub page you’ll find several M3U links, including a version without adult content and another that includes it. Both are completely free to access. All you need is a compatible IPTV app or player, and Kodi is more than capable when paired with the right add-on.

To actually watch these channels in Kodi, the standard approach is to use “PVR IPTV Simple Client”, a PVR add-on available from Kodi’s official repository. You go to Add-ons > Install from repository > PVR clients, locate “PVR IPTV Simple Client” and install it. After that, you open the add-on’s settings and paste the M3U URL into the “M3U playlist URL” field, setting the location as a remote path (internet address).

When you confirm the settings, Kodi’s PVR manager kicks in and starts downloading channel data from the M3U list. You’ll see a small notification in the upper right corner indicating that PVR is starting and loading channels from clients. Once that’s done, a new “TV” section appears on Kodi’s home screen. Inside, you get a list of channels with logos, EPG data if available, and all the usual TV controls.

This approach works perfectly for Spanish TDT (DTT) and for countless foreign channels. For example, if you only care about Spanish broadcasters, projects like TDTChannels and IPTV-org provide dedicated M3U links just for Spain, sometimes even broken down by regions or autonomous communities: Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid, the Basque Country, Canary Islands and so on, each with its own playlist URL.

IPTV-org goes one step further by offering a web interface where you can filter and generate your own custom playlist. You can select a specific country (like Spain), pick just the channels you actually plan to watch, and then click “Download playlist” to get a trimmed M3U file. That way, instead of loading 10,000 channels in Kodi and scrolling forever, you only see the 20 or 30 that matter to you.

Recording and managing TDT with Kodi: IPTV Recorder and beyond

Kodi is not only a viewer for IPTV; with the right add-ons it can also act like a full PVR that records live TV. Once you have your TDT or IPTV channels available through PVR IPTV Simple Client, you can add another tool called “IPTV Recorder” to schedule and save broadcasts.

IPTV Recorder is typically distributed via its own GitHub repository. You download the ZIP file or repository package, install it in Kodi via “Install from ZIP file”, and then configure it to work in tandem with PVR IPTV Simple Client. You specify a folder where recordings will be saved and how they should be named, and then you can set timers for future programmes or start manual recordings.

Combined with legal IPTV lists such as TDTChannels or IPTV-org, this setup lets you record free‑to‑air channels without a conventional hardware DVR. It’s particularly useful on devices with limited storage where you might otherwise hesitate to store large video files; you can point recordings to external drives or network locations, depending on your device’s capabilities.

For everyday use, the experience is very similar to using a traditional TV guide and PVR. You browse the EPG, pick a show, set a recording, and later access it from within Kodi’s “Recordings” section. Picture quality often reaches 720p or 1080p when the source stream supports it, so it can look as good as, or sometimes better than, what your antenna receives.

On top of that, you can sort and filter channels inside Kodi in many ways. You can group them by country, genre, language or custom labels. This is handy when you’re mixing TDT from your country with international news channels, documentary stations, kids’ content and niche feeds from all over the world.

Using IPTV on other apps and devices: VLC, Plex, TDTChannels and Xiaomi TVs

While Kodi is probably the most powerful and flexible option for IPTV, it’s not the only one. On Smart TVs and streaming boxes you’ll find a bunch of apps designed to read M3U playlists directly, often with a simpler configuration than Kodi.

VLC, the open‑source media player, is a classic example. It runs on Android TV, desktop systems and mobile devices, and it can open M3U playlists just like any other media file. On a Xiaomi TV with Android TV, for instance, you can download VLC from the Play Store, paste an M3U URL into the browser on the TV, download the file, and then open it from VLC’s “Browse” section. VLC loads the channels and lets you switch among them, though without the deep TV‑guide experience that Kodi offers.

Plex is another interesting alternative because it doubles as a personal streaming platform and IPTV client. You can organise your local movie library, access Plex’s own free channels, and even integrate some online feeds while keeping a unified look across devices. Kodi also has a Plex add-on (often called “Composite”) that allows you to access your Plex server within Kodi, blending the best of both systems.

TDTChannels, once controversial due to unofficial streams, has reinvented itself as a purely legal aggregator of free channels. It now offers its own app as well as M3U lists that you can import into players like VLC or Kodi. This is especially convenient if you only care about Spanish DTT in a clean and legal way, without sifting through global lists.

On the hardware side, even if your TV’s operating system can’t run Kodi natively (for example, many Samsung models with Tizen OS), you’re not stuck. By connecting an external device like an Android TV box, a Fire TV stick, a Chromecast with Google TV or a mini PC, you effectively bypass the TV’s limitations, install Kodi on the external device, and use the TV just as a display.

This combination is particularly attractive for older “dumb” TVs or mid‑range models with limited app catalogs. Instead of replacing the whole TV, you plug in a small device, install Kodi, load your IPTV lists and streaming add‑ons, and instantly upgrade the entertainment capabilities without a big investment.

Extra add-ons worth having: YouTube, Twitch, Plex, Google Drive and more

Once you’ve covered the basics (Netflix, Disney+, Max, TDT via IPTV, etc.), Kodi still has a lot more to offer. You can add a series of free services and utilities that turn it into a complete digital living room hub, beyond just movies and standard TV.

The YouTube add-on comes straight from Kodi’s official repository. After installing it, you can search and watch any YouTube video, log in with your Google account to sync subscriptions and playlists, and even enjoy content without the ads that plague the official YouTube apps. Advanced audio and subtitle options are also available, which is handy for long‑form videos.

Twitch also has dedicated community add-ons so you can follow live streams and VODs from creators. Typically, you download the Twitch add-on or its repository from GitHub, install it from ZIP, then generate an OAuth token by following a link provided in the add-on’s settings. Once authenticated, your followed channels and categories show up nicely in Kodi’s interface.

Cloud storage add-ons open up further possibilities. With plugins for Google Drive, OneDrive and similar services, you can stream your own files from the cloud, almost like having your private Netflix hosted on online storage. It’s convenient if you keep personal media libraries or backups you don’t want to store locally.

There are also add-ons for space agencies (NASA, ESA), music platforms, RSS‑based podcast players and a variety of niche video sources. Many of these are completely free and legal, adding educational, documentary or independent content to your media center without extra subscriptions.

And if you like to tinker, Kodi even has game‑related add-ons, including ports of classics like Doom. That way, your Kodi setup can be more than a TV replacement; it becomes an all‑in‑one entertainment system for video, audio and light gaming.

Controlling Kodi like a pro: using your phone as a remote

Navigating Kodi with a basic TV remote can be clumsy, especially when you have to type URLs, search terms or login details. Fortunately, you can turn your smartphone into a dedicated Kodi remote, making the whole experience much smoother.

On Android, the official app “Kore – Official Remote for Kodi” is the go‑to solution. After installing Kore from the Play Store on your phone, you just need to enable remote control in Kodi itself: go to Settings > Services > Control and activate options like “Allow remote control via HTTP” and “Allow remote control from applications on this system”.

Once these toggles are on, Kore automatically discovers Kodi instances on your local network. You select your Kodi device, confirm the pairing if required, and you’re ready to go. From that point on, your phone’s screen becomes a much more comfortable interface for browsing libraries, launching add-ons and quickly seeking through video timelines.

The virtual keyboard on the phone is especially helpful when you’re adding repositories, logging into streaming accounts or searching for specific shows. It saves a lot of frustration compared to moving a cursor around on an on‑screen keyboard with arrow keys.

For more advanced users, there are also unofficial remote apps and companion tools. Some can wake up your Kodi device over the network, send files or share URLs directly from your phone’s browser to Kodi’s playlist, which is great for discovering content on the fly and throwing it onto the big screen.

Putting everything together, Kodi plus IPTV and official streaming add-ons gives you a versatile, low‑cost way to centralise Netflix, Disney+, Max, DAZN, YouTube, TDT and thousands of free channels in one coherent interface; it may take some time to set up repositories, playlists and security tools like SafeKodi, but once configured on devices ranging from Smart TVs and TV boxes to PCs and Raspberry Pi, you get a flexible media center that keeps pace with the rise of IPTV, the evolution of digital terrestrial TV and the fragmented landscape of modern streaming services.