Stremium was created to make cord-cutting even easier by unifying multiple TV streaming sources into a single app. To get all the channels we want, we have to subscribe to several services — each with their own favorites lists, watch histories and DVR libraries. Even if they haven’t solved it yet, Stremium’s has taken an interesting approach to the challenges of cord-cutting today. Let’s take a deeper dive in this Stremium review to see if it is right for you.
What is Stremium?
Stremium’s developers originally wanted to solve a different problem: the clutter of TV Everywhere apps. Most TV provider subscriptions — whether streaming, cable or satellite — give you enhanced access to each channel’s apps.
The NBC Sports app, for example, gives everyone free access to a limited amount of on-demand content. Using the app’s TV Everywhere feature, however, you can link your pay-TV provider account and get full access to the live sports streams, regional sports, and other features.
The problem is, every channel has its own app. You have to go from app to app to app searching for something to watch. Stremium figured out how to link each TV Everywhere channel’s streams into their unified interface. You simply register the TV provider account that you’d already paid for and connect that channel to the interface.
Unfortunately, Adobe threatened the small startup with a lawsuit for making TV Everywhere easier. Stremium couldn’t fight back.
Today’s Stremium solves the problem we discussed at the top: juggling multiple streaming services. You can go into the Stremium app and register the live TV streaming services that you already paid for. Stremium brings all the channels into its 7-day electronic programming guide so you always know what’s on. You can create a single list of favorite channels across your streaming services — and use one cloud DVR to record all of your shows.
As we’ll see, though, Stremium isn’t a complete solution yet.
Stremium 60-Second Summary
Stremium wants to make cord-cutting easier by consolidating your live TV streaming services within a single interface with one favorites list and one cloud DVR. It does deliver on its promises — but only for a limited number of streaming services. The big companies like YouTube TV or Hulu with Live TV are not playing ball with Stremium right now. But if you’re OK getting your TV from services like Sling and Vidgo, Stremium could make your streaming life easier.
Stremium Pros and Cons
Stremium is a work in progress. It does not have the most polished or refined app experience. And without access to all live TV streaming services, Stremium will not appeal to many. Here are some things to consider:
Stremium Pros
- Free plan with dozens of 2nd tier channels.
- Unified billing with Vidgo gives you broadcast and cable channels.
- Linking popular skinny bundle services makes streaming easier.
Stremium Cons
- Pricing is in addition to your live TV subscriptions.
- Bare-bones user interface.
- No apps for Apple devices.
- Limited customer support options.
What are the Stremium Plans and Pricing?
Stremium has three subscription options:
- Free
- Basic
- Stremium+
The Free and Basic tiers let you access Stremium’s 35+ channel lineup. Stremium+ is the Basic tier with a bundled subscription to Stremium+ and its lineup of more than 95 channels.
Both of the paid plans have a seven-day free trial and include:
- Seven-day electronic programming guide
- Favorite channels
- Add public channels
- 25 hours of cloud DVR capacity
- Scheduled recordings
- Linking other streaming TV providers
What’s on Stremium?
The Free and Basic plans include 35 channels. Most of them are third-tier broadcast or basic cable channels. C-SPAN, Comet and Law & Crime are some of the available channels.
When you get the Stremium+ plan, you also get Vidgo’s lineup of nearly 100 channels. This includes broadcasts of local network affiliate stations, most of the popular basic cable channels. Animal Planet, CNN, Disney Channel, ESPN and Fox News are just some of the channels you can stream with Stremium+.
Adding other channels
If there is a website with a live stream, you may be able to add it to your Stremium interface. The “plus” button on the EPG will bring you to a screen where you can enter the required information:
The “HLS URL” refers to a kind of streaming protocol — HTTP Live Streaming. Developed by Apple, it is in the process of becoming an internet standard so it is well supported. Look for links with an m3u8 extension.
Besides adding the new channel to your Stremium interface, you can make it available to all Stremium users by setting it to “Public”.
If content providers have asked Stremium to stop, the streaming service will block the HLS URL and won’t let you add the channel.
Linking TV providers
Stremium’s plan is to let you link any streaming TV provider within their app interface. If you have a separate subscription to Vidgo, you can link your account within the Stremium app. You can also do this with Frndly, Philo, Sling TV and Spectrum’s cable streaming service.
None of the major live TV streaming services or cable companies are playing ball with Stremium right now.
If you’re interested in checking out other streaming services with large channel offers, you can check out our fuboTV channel guide!
What are Stremium Supported Devices?
One of Stremium’s biggest weaknesses is its poor support for streaming platforms. If you use Apple devices, you’re out of luck.
- Living room devices: Amazon Fire TV, Amazon TV and Roku.
- Smart TVs and Blu-ray players: Certain devices based on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Roku.
- Mobile devices and tablets: Android.
- Game consoles: None.
- Desktop browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
How is Stremium Simultaneous Streams?
Since Stremium is simply pulling the internet streams from each channel in the Free and Basic tiers, there’s no limit to the number of simultaneous streams on those channels.
Frndly, Philo, Sling TV, Spectrum and Vidgo have their own restrictions on simultaneous streaming. If you link one of these services to your Stremium account, you may be subject to the same limits.
How is Stremium DVR?
The Stremium Basic and Stremium+ plans include 25 hours of cloud DVR service. You can upgrade either subscription to increase the DVR’s capacity.
- 50 hours
- 75 hours
- 100 hours
How is Stremium On-Demand Library?
Stremium does not have on-demand capabilities beyond what you’ve saved in the cloud DVR. That’s because it does not have any formal relationship with the content providers and is just pulling internet streams from the providers’ websites.
How is Stremium Customer Support?
Stremium’s customer support is fairly limited. Your only option is to submit an email to Stremium’s support group.
The company does not provide self-help resources — not even a getting started guide. There is no way, for example, to learn how to add channels to Stremium other than trial and error.
There is a r/stremium subreddit you can turn to for community support. Some of the community members are pretty vocal about Stremium’s poor responsiveness.
How to Cancel Stremium?
You can cancel Stremium at any time through your account Dashboard.
What’s Stremium Refund Policy?
Consistent with the other streaming services, Stremium will not refund your unused subscription. You can continue to watch Stremium through the end of the current subscription period.
Stremium Review: Final Comments
In a world where content is getting fragmented across multiple walled gardens, Stremium seems like a promising solution. But it has a long way to go. DIRECTV Stream, YouTube TV and the other major live TV streaming services haven’t agreed to deals with Stremium. Most people won’t be able to use Stremium‘s best features.
Chris Casper is a former tech industry product manager who escaped from California for New Mexico. Now he writes about science and tech while searching for the perfect green chile sauce.
