Xumo Play: How To Start Watching TV and Movies for Free With the App
Written by
Terence Loose
Edited by
Renee Ross
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Xumo Play is a streaming service that allows you to watch live TV as well as on-demand TV shows and movies on your TV, computer, tablet or smartphone. There is no subscription fee, and you can watch on most devices that can access the internet.
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Xumo Play content has ads, but unlike the ad-supported versions of other streamers, such as Netflix, Hulu and Disney+, it does not require a subscription and is free.
The Xumo Play app is available on many smart TVs. It can also be accessed through many streaming devices. Additionally, the app can be downloaded on your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.
Are Xumo Play TV Shows and Movies Really Free?
Yes, as long as you don’t count having to sit through multiple commercials per episode or movie. In other words, there is a price for everything. So, while there is no monetary cost to watch content on Xumo Play, in order to bring you free entertainment, Xumo Play sells advertising during the programs. With streaming services raising their rates, this could save you a lot of money.
In Xumo Play’s description of the app in the App Store, it states that the streamer has “half the ads of cable.”
Despite this, it’s important to remember that Xumo Play will count toward your monthly internet data usage. So if you stream on a device using a data plan that is not unlimited, be aware that it could result in a charge.
What Kinds of TV Shows and Movies Will I Find on Xumo Play?
Xumo Play features more than 300 channels and thousands of movies, according to the Xfinity website. It adds that viewers can find movies and TV shows in every genre, from thrillers and westerns to comedies and reality TV.
In addition, Xumo Play streams live news coverage and carries “all the top national news networks,” according to the Xfinity website. The streamer also carries sports, game shows and more.
Is Xumo Play Easy To Navigate and Use?
If you have ever used another streaming service like Netflix, Disney+ or Hulu, you will find Xumo Play similar and just as intuitive. Content appears in rows arranged under various genres, such as comedy and drama.
You will also find rows of sub-genres or descriptive categories. For instance, recent rows included “Game Shows,” “Crime TV,” “Paranormal & Conspiracy” and many more. The site also gives you the ability to choose between rows of movies or rows of TV shows.
You can also sort by networks, with choices including CBS News, LiveNow From Fox, ABC News Live and more. This tab also includes categories such as news, sports and weather.
Another tab features a live guide, which you can access while continuing to watch live or on-demand content. Picture your cable provider’s channel guide, showing you when a certain program will air and on what channel. Here, in an interactive guide, there are more than 300 channels listed.
There is also a Discover page. Here, you will find curated content based on your viewing history and interests. It also keeps track of shows and movies you have not completed, allowing you to begin streaming on-demand content where you left off.
Can I Use Pause and Rewind, or Record Programs for Later Viewing?
Unlike cable TV’s DVRs, Xumo Play does not allow recording and saving programs under the live TV section. Nor can you pause or rewind these offerings.
When viewing on-demand TV shows and movies, however, you can pause, rewind and fast-forward. This makes Xumo Play comparable to other free streaming services such as Pluto TV and Hoopla.
And, of course, all on-demand content is just that — you choose when to watch it. The content does change, however, so just because you can’t find something one week does not mean it will never be available. According to its App Store page, Xumo Play adds new titles every month.
Do I Need a Special Device To Use Xumo Play?
No. Xumo Play will work on many devices, as long as they can connect to the internet. For the best viewing experience, however, you’ll want high-speed internet. There are only a few devices that will not support Xumo Play. These include the RNG150 model of the Xfinity X1 TV Box, according to the Xfinity site.
Here is a sampling of the devices and apps through which you can access Xumo Play, according to the Xfinity website:
- On your TV with a streaming device:
- Xfinity Flex
- Apple TV
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Google TV
- Android TV
- Chromecast
- On select Smart TVs:
- Xumo TV
- Vizio (SmartCast models)
- Hisense
- Samsung (Tizen-powered TVs)
- On your iOs or Android smartphone or tablet by downloading the Xumo Play app from Google Play or the App Store
You can also access and use Xumo Play online through your internet browser at play.xumo.com.
Is Setting Up Xumo Play Easy?
Xumo Play is not complicated to set up or use. If you have one of the smart TVs that comes with the app pre-installed, simply open it and begin streaming.
If you plan to use a streaming device such as Apple TV, Roku, etc., visit the app store through the device, download Xumo Play and begin streaming. On a smartphone or tablet, download the Xumo Play app from the App Store or Google Play.
You can also use your internet browser to visit the Xumo Play website. You then simply choose what you want to watch and hit play. No hassles, no sign-ups, no fees.
Do I Need To Create an Account To Stream Content on Xumo Play?
No. It might seem incomprehensible in our username- and password-addicted world, but Xumo Play does not require you to create an account, sign in or provide a credit card number. You simply open the app or visit the website and start streaming live TV or on-demand TV shows and movies immediately.
What Are Examples of Xumo Play Channels in the Live TV Experience?
Xumo Play has many of the same popular channels you will find on cable. One nice feature of the live guide is that, like the on-demand TV and movie sections, you can navigate to specific genres. For instance, instead of listing channels in numeric order without any way to manipulate the list, you can choose categories, such as news, sports, travel and lifestyle, reality TV and many others. This can save you a lot of scrolling time when looking for something to watch.
Here are examples of available channels in popular categories:
Sports
- NFL Channel
- Fox Sports
- PGA Tour
- Outside
- UFC
- Boxing TV
- Top Gear
News
- CBS News
- NBC News Now
- ABC News Live
- LiveNow From Fox
- Reuters
- Today All Day
Reality TV
- History
- Divorce Court
- Real Housewives Vault
- Backstage
Does Xumo Play Have Content Suitable for Kids and Family?
Yes. Xumo Play has many kids and family titles, both in TV shows and movies. Recent picks included movies such as “Radio Flyer,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Elf Quest” and more, along with TV shows like “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That,” “Garfield and Friends,” “Trollz” and others. Titles are also rated.
What Is the Xumo Play Experience Like?
If you have a high-speed internet connection, the Xumo Play experience is good quality. For instance, for on-demand movies, after you click on the box art, you will see a rating, whether or not it has closed captions available, and a short description. Also provided is the movie’s year, its length and an option to share the choice with friends or family by using a link.
During play, there are ads; however, the amount and frequency change depending on the content. Controls are also available to choose the video quality and playback speed, from 0.5 to two times normal.
Alas, there is a price for everything.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
