NBC takes a step back with its live TV app update
Last week, NBCUniversal Media launched an SNL app for iPhone that we liked so much, it’s our “App of the Week.” The latest update to the universal NBC app is far less impressive.
With NBC 3.0, you can finally stream live TV on your iPhone/iPod touch and iPad. Unfortunately, you’ll need a participating cable or satellite provider’s login to enjoy the feature. For now, this list is limited to local stations that are owned by NBC.
In other words, unless you live in a huge television market like New York or Los Angeles, don’t expect to live stream “The Voice” or “The Blacklist” from your iOS device anytime soon.
On a more positive note, the NBC app update also adds full episodes from some classic shows to the mix, including “The A-Team,” “Miami Vice,” “Knight Rider,” and a few others. You don’t need a special login to enjoy these episodes.
NBC isn’t the only network that selectively offers live streaming on mobile devices. ABC and CBS do this too. (FOX, by contrast, doesn’t offer live streaming to anyone through its FOX Now app.) This doesn’t make it right.
Sling Television is looking better and better, no?
The NBC app is available to download on the App Store.
