People don’t just get entertainment over conventional cable or satellite TV mediums. Advancements in cloud technology and better internet penetration have given rise to a new type of entertainment source. That’s right, the streaming service era has begun. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video were one of the first to move into the entertainment streaming business.
Their OTT model has worked out very successfully, grabbing these streaming giants very large shares of the entertainment consumer market. The content they offer, however, does not include live television. Identifying a potentially profitable niche, internet and cable service providers have now started developing their own live TV streaming apps, like the Spectrum TV App. This blog explores how cord-cutters like you can get live TV entertainment from Spectrum using your Amazon Firestick. Read on for more.
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Introducing the Spectrum TV App
The modern consumer is all about accessible entertainment on all devices. From laptops to tablets to smartphones to smart TVs, we all have a large number of devices in our homes. We use many or all of them for entertainment on a regular basis. Providers like Charter Spectrum have been aware of the growing streaming trend for a long time. The Spectrum TV App offers a way to get live TV entertainment on any of your devices without needing to turn on your living room TV every time.
If you are a subscriber to any of the provider’s TV plans or bundles, you’re already eligible to access the Spectrum TV App. All you have to do is download it onto your device, whether Android or iOS, tablet, or smartphone. Once downloaded, sign in to the app to begin watching live TV programming. The app will use your customer credentials to log in. If there are any issues logging in, try Spectrum Troubleshooting to verify your service is working correctly.
What is Amazon Firestick?
You probably own or have heard of the Amazon Firestick, or you wouldn’t be on this blog right now. The Firestick is a video streaming player designed and manufactured by Amazon. It works in a very similar way to other streaming players such as Roku. The Firestick is Amazon’s entry-level video streaming player that plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port.
In essence, the Amazon Firestick turns any TV with an HDMI port into a smart TV. The Firestick is free to use and allows you to add a number of third-party apps, such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime from its native app store. Most of these apps are free to download.
How to Set Up Spectrum TV App on Your Firestick
While not officially available, the Firestick can also be used to run the Spectrum TV App. Of course, while many have successfully managed to add the app from the Amazon Firestick app store, others complain that the app is not available in their area.
Luckily, the app has been designed to be compatible with a range of devices, including Android, Apple, Samsung Smart TV, etc. However, when installing it on Firestick, you may have to follow a different method than simply downloading and running the app.
The Spectrum TV App has vast functionality. It allows you to find the live content you like watching by using the title, network, or genre filters. The App also allows you to create a TV guide personalized to your taste and choices.
Unfortunately, the Spectrum TV App isn’t officially available on the Amazon app store just yet. At least not in every location or market. That leaves you with the option of installing it from a third-party source. Here’s how you can do that:
Change Certain Default Settings
When the default settings are enabled on your Amazon Firestick, you’ll find that it cannot download or access third-party apps. But don’t worry, the simple fix for this problem is to change certain default settings on your FIrestick. Specifically, you want to enable the option titled “Apps from Unknown Sources”. Once enabled, you’ll find it easier to download and run the Spectrum TV App on the Firestick. Here’s how to enable the option:
- Find the “Settings” tab on your Firestick home screen.
- Go to “My Fire TV”.
- Select “Developer Options” from the displayed list.
- Hit “Apps from Unknown Sources” to enable the option.
- Select “Turn On” from the warning that pops up.
Once you have changed the settings, you are ready to download third-party apps onto your Amazon Firestick. That includes the Spectrum TV App as well. This step was concerned with setting up your Amazon Firestick to allow the installation of third-party apps. The next steps focus on how you can install the Spectrum TV App on your Firestick.
Download Spectrum TV App via Downloader App
The Downloader App is an easy and simple way to download third-party apps onto your Amazon Firestick. You will need to search for the URL that leads to the Spectrum TV App APK. Paste the URL in the Downloader App’s search bar. Once you click on “Go”, the app begins to download. Once you have completely downloaded the app, your Firestick will automatically initiate the installation screen. The large “Install” button on this screen will start installing your downloaded app.
Once done, simply go to Open and select the Spectrum TV App to log in and use. This method is fairly simple and does not involve any complicated steps. The problem is that the Downloader App is not freely available in every geo-location in the United States. If that’s the case, even using a VPN on Spectrum will not help.
Get Spectrum TV App via ES File Explorer
If you’re looking to get the Spectrum TV App on your Amazon Firestick, you can try using the ES File Explorer method. The ES File Explorer is found on your Firestick. Once the app opens, select the Downloader button that appears on your screen then choose +New. Paste the URL for the Spectrum TV App APK, then select Download to begin the download process. Click on the Open File option one ES File Explorer has finished downloading your file.
On the screen that appears, select the Install option which will take you to your Firestick’s file installation screen. You will have to click one more time on the Install button to start the process. Once done, click on Open to run the Spectrum TV App after installation. That’s it! That’s all you need to do to get the app running on your Firestick, even if it isn’t officially available on the Amazon app store.