How to Watch Live TV on Kodi in 2026: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Last updated on February 08, 2026

Learning how to watch live TV on Kodi in 2026 remains one of the most powerful and versatile features of this legendary media center. Kodi, born from a love for media, is open-source software that brings all your digital content—videos, music, photos, and yes, live television—into one sleek, highly customizable interface. In this definitive guide, I’ll show you exactly how to configure Kodi to access hundreds of free-to-air channels legally, using the built-in PVR client and an updated channel list.

What Do You Need to Watch Live TV on Kodi in 2026?

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have everything you need. The setup is surprisingly straightforward, but it requires these key components:

• Kodi 21 ‘Omega’ or Kodi 22 ‘Piers’ Installed: The process is virtually identical on the latest versions. If you’re not up to date, I recommend checking out our Kodi 22 vs. Kodi 21 upgrade guide.
• A PVR Client: Kodi needs an add-on to act as an IPTV “tuner.” We’ll be using PVR IPTV Simple Client, which is included in Kodi’s official repository and is the most stable and recommended option for this job.
• An M3U Playlist URL: This is simply a link to a text file containing the streaming addresses for the channels. We will use public, legal lists of free-to-air channels.
• (Optional but Highly Recommended) An EPG Source: To get a full Electronic Program Guide, you’ll need a link to an XMLTV file. This tells you what’s currently playing on each channel and what’s coming up next.
• (Optional but Crucial for Privacy) A VPN: While watching free-to-air channels is legal, a VPN shields your privacy from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and helps you bypass geo-restrictions or network blocks.

Step-by-Step: Configuring PVR IPTV Simple Client on Kodi 22 (Piers)

I’ve personally tested this method on Android TV, Windows, and macOS with the latest Kodi release, and it works like a charm. The steps are clean and direct.

1. Install the PVR IPTV Simple Client 2026

This add-on usually comes pre-installed but disabled. If you can’t find it, follow these steps to install it from the official repository:

1. From the Kodi home screen, click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-left corner.
2. Select ‘Add-ons’.
3. Choose ‘Install from repository’.
4. Find and select the ‘Kodi Add-on repository’ (or ‘All repositories’).
5. Navigate to the ‘PVR Clients’ category.
6. In the list, find ‘PVR IPTV Simple Client’ and click on it.
7. Click ‘Install’. If it asks to install additional dependencies, accept. Wait for the installation to complete.

2. Configure the M3U Playlist and EPG Guide

Once installed, it’s time to tell the add-on where to find the channels and the program guide. There are many community-maintained sources for legal, free-to-air channels, with the `iptv-org` project on GitHub being one of the most comprehensive.

1. Without leaving the add-on screen, click on ‘Configure’.
2. In the ‘General’ tab, locate the ‘Location’ setting and make sure it’s set to ‘Remote Path (Internet address)’.
3. Right below, in the ‘M3U Play List URL’ field, enter the following address. You’ll have to type this character by character if you don’t have a physical keyboard:

   https://iptv-org.github.io/iptv/index.m3u

4. Now, switch to the ‘EPG Settings’ tab.
5. In the ‘XMLTV URL’ field, enter the following address to get the programming guide. Note that comprehensive EPGs can be large files:

   https://iptv-org.github.io/epg/epg.xml.gz

6. Click ‘OK’ to save your changes. Kodi will notify you that it needs to be restarted for the changes to take effect. Either accept the prompt or restart Kodi manually.

When Kodi starts back up, the PVR Manager will automatically begin loading the channels and guide. You’ll see a notification in the top-right corner tracking its progress.

3. Access Your Live TV Channels

You’re all set! To start watching television:

• From the Kodi main menu, navigate to the ‘TV’ section on the side panel.
• You’ll see the complete list of channels. Just click on the one you want to watch, and the stream will begin.
• You’ll also have access to the ‘Guide’, where you can browse the program schedule just like a traditional cable box.

Beyond the Basics: Finding Updated M3U Playlists

While the `iptv-org` project is an excellent starting point, it’s not the only option. To find alternatives, I recommend exploring repositories on GitHub by searching for terms like “IPTV M3U” or “public IPTV playlist.” The community often maintains extensive, collaborative lists. Always remember to verify that the playlists only contain channels that are legally broadcast for free.

How to Fix Buffering on Kodi IPTV: Optimize Your Stream

One of the most common frustrations with IPTV is the dreaded buffering or stuttering playback. If you’re running into this issue, here’s the solution for Kodi IPTV buffering that works best in 2026:

1. Go Wired: Whenever possible, connect your Kodi device to the internet using an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. It’s far more stable.
2. The M3U List Quality Is Key: Free, public playlists sometimes rely on overloaded servers. If a specific channel consistently fails, the problem is likely the source stream, not your setup.
3. Use a Quality VPN: Many ISPs practice “throttling,” a technique where they slow down your connection when they detect high-bandwidth video streaming. A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it impossible for your ISP to see what you’re doing, thus preventing this speed limitation. In my experience, this is the single most effective fix.

Legality and Security: A Crucial Aspect in 2026

It’s vital to understand the boundaries. Using Kodi and the PVR IPTV Simple Client 2026 to watch free-to-air channels is 100% legal, as they are public broadcasts. The legal trouble starts when you use M3U lists that include paid subscription channels without authorization, which constitutes copyright infringement.

Why a VPN is a Must-Have for IPTV

Even if you’re only watching legal content, using a VPN is highly recommended for two main reasons:

• Privacy: It stops your ISP from monitoring and logging your online activity. What you do on your network is your business.
• Performance & Access: As mentioned, it prevents ISP throttling and allows you to access content that might be geo-blocked if you’re traveling.

Conclusion: Live TV on Kodi Is Still a Killer Feature

Setting up Kodi to watch free-to-air TV in 2026 is easier and more stable than ever. Thanks to tools like PVR IPTV Simple Client and community-driven projects, you have a free, legal, and superior television experience at your fingertips. By adding an EPG and optimizing your connection, you’ll have a robust and personalized entertainment hub.

Always remember to act responsibly, use legal content sources, and protect your privacy with the right tools.