Live TV Habits Are Changing: What Families Watch Today
Live TV and streaming now share the same living room. Here is how Indian households are mixing the two — and how to set up for both.
Ten years ago, "watching TV" meant cable or DTH channels. Today, the same screen might show live news at 9 pm, a streaming series at 10 pm and a YouTube video before bed. Indian households have not replaced live TV with streaming — they blend the two.
Live TV still owns certain moments
News, live sports, reality shows and daily serials are still watched live by millions. Older family members in particular prefer flicking through familiar channels to searching menus inside apps. Festivals, award shows and big matches remain shared, live experiences.
Streaming fills the gaps
Younger viewers binge series on OTT apps, catch up on missed episodes and explore regional films on demand. Children watch cartoons whenever it suits them, not when a channel schedules them.
One screen, many sources
Smart TVs and modern set-top boxes now combine live channels and apps on a single home screen. That means fewer remotes, fewer input switches and less confusion for everyone at home.
The second-screen habit
Many viewers watch live TV while scrolling on their phones — following match commentary, chatting about a show or checking news. A strong home Wi-Fi network supports these parallel habits without slowing the TV.
Setting up your home for both
- Choose a plan that combines broadband, OTT apps and live TV so everything is on one bill.
- Connect the set-top box and smart TV to the router with cables where possible.
- Create profiles in streaming apps for each family member.
- Mark favourite channels on the set-top box to make live viewing quicker.
What this means for your budget
Paying separately for cable, several OTT apps and broadband adds up. Combined plans reduce the total and simplify renewals. Review which channels and apps your family actually uses once a year.
The bottom line
Families no longer choose between live TV and streaming — they use both, often in the same evening. A combined plan like Purple MAX keeps every generation's favourite way of watching on one connection and one bill.
Learn more about DTH & IPTV Television from UbiFi, or talk to our team.
Live TV channels through DTH or IPTV on your UbiFi connection — news, sports, movies and regional channels with a single bill.
