Category: Travel

IPTV

IPTV for RV Life: Watching TV on the Road with Starlink and Cellular Internet

For RVers, watching television has never been as simple as plugging in a cable. Campground TV hookups are often unreliable, satellite dishes require setup and clear skies, and over-the-air antennas depend heavily on location.

That’s where IPTV comes in — a modern, flexible solution that works perfectly with today’s mobile internet options like Starlink and cellular data.

If you travel full-time or seasonally, IPTV can completely replace traditional RV TV setups.

What Is IPTV?

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) delivers television programming over the internet instead of through cable or satellite systems.

With IPTV, you can access:

  • Live TV channels (news, sports, locals)
  • Video on Demand (movies and series)
  • Time-shifted TV (replays and catch-up)

If you’ve ever streamed Netflix or YouTube, IPTV works the same way — but with live television included.

Why IPTV Makes Sense for RVers

RV travel is mobile by nature, and IPTV is designed for flexibility.

As long as you have an internet connection, you can watch TV on:

  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices (Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV)
  • Phones, tablets, and laptops

There’s no need to rely on campground cable, no dish to align, and no regional restrictions like traditional cable TV.

IPTV Using Starlink in an RV

Starlink has quickly become one of the best internet solutions for RVers, especially when it comes to streaming and IPTV.

Pros

  • High speeds (often 50–200+ Mbps)
  • Handles HD and 4K streaming easily
  • Very stable for live TV and sports
  • No traditional data caps

Cons

  • Requires a clear view of the sky
  • Higher power consumption
  • Higher upfront and monthly cost

How IPTV Performs on Starlink
With Starlink, IPTV feels like a home internet connection. Live sports, news, and multiple devices streaming at once usually work without buffering.

Bottom Line
If IPTV is a priority, Starlink offers the most consistent and frustration-free experience on the road.

IPTV Using Cellular Internet (LTE / 5G)

Cellular internet is still an important part of many RV setups, especially when Starlink isn’t an option.

Pros

  • Lower power draw
  • Works under trees or in urban areas
  • Often cheaper if you already have a data plan

Cons

  • Congestion during evenings
  • Data caps or deprioritization
  • Speeds vary by location

How IPTV Performs on Cellular
IPTV can work well on cellular in strong-signal areas, but live TV is sensitive to speed fluctuations. During peak hours, buffering or quality drops are common.

Bottom Line
Cellular internet works for IPTV, but it requires careful data management.

IPTV Data Usage for RVers

Live TV uses continuous data, which is important to understand if you rely on cellular plans.

Approximate data usage:

  • SD: ~1 GB per hour
  • HD: ~3 GB per hour
  • 4K: ~7–10 GB per hour

Just a few hours of IPTV each night can add up to 100+ GB per month, making Starlink the better choice for heavy viewing.

Recommended IPTV Setup for RV Travel

Internet Sources

  • Starlink (primary connection)
  • Cellular router (Peplink, MoFi, Winegard, Cudy, etc.)

Streaming Devices

  • Fire TV Stick
  • Apple TV
  • Android TV box

Dedicated streaming devices handle changing internet connections far better than most smart TV apps.

Legal IPTV Services That Work Well for RVers

These services are reliable, legal, and RV-friendly:

  • YouTube TV (American)
  • FIBE TV (Canadian)
  • Hulu + Live TV (American)
  • Rogers TV (Canadian)
  • Sling TV (American)
  • Stack TV (Canadian)
  • Philo (American)
  • Crave TV (Canadian)
  • Pluto TV (free)

Most allow you to update your location while traveling, which is ideal for RV life.

The Best RV Setup: Starlink + Cellular Together

Many RVers use both Starlink and cellular internet:

  • Starlink for IPTV, streaming, and work
  • Cellular as backup or for obstructed campsites

With the right router, the system can automatically switch connections if one drops.

Practical Tips for IPTV on the Road

  • Use Starlink for live TV and sports when possible
  • Limit video quality on cellular connections
  • Avoid peak evening hours on LTE/5G
  • Download shows when internet is strong
  • Keep an OTA antenna for emergencies and local news

Illegal IPTV Services

Despite the risk involved with illegal services the pricing make it an attractive option. For your home or RV the options of the illegal services are mind boggling, and as someone who has used both legal and illegal here is what stands out

  • Price (90% cheaper than legal)
  • Choice (up to 30,000 stations)
  • Multinational (live tv from around the world)
  • Local (unlike legal service no need to change location)
  • PPV (most stations available at no cost)

While I’m not condoning the illegal services, it is saving us hundreds of dollars, and we can watch stations with out adjusting our VPN each time.

This is the app that we are using

Final Thoughts

IPTV has become one of the easiest and most reliable ways for RVers to watch television while traveling.

  • Starlink provides the best IPTV experience
  • Cellular works well with careful data use
  • IPTV replaces campground cable entirely
  • Legal services offer stability and peace of mind

For full-time and long-term RV travelers, IPTV paired with modern mobile internet is a true game-changer.

Day 3015

2025 in Review: Miles, Memories, and Finding Our Rhythm

By The Buchanan’s Rolling Down The Road
December 2025

Every year seems to move faster than the last, but 2025 felt like it moved at highway speed. From desert mornings at Boyce Thompson Arboretum to lake days in Ontario, new states on the map, mechanical challenges, and finally settling into winter life on a quiet Mexican beach — this year reminded us why we chose this life.

Winter & Spring in the Arizona Desert

We started the year camped and volunteering once again at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. The desert welcomed us back with cactus blossoms, hummingbirds at the feeders, and the ever-present coati wandering through the grounds. Miss Laurie spent plenty of time rock hounding, while we both enjoyed the familiar rhythm of volunteer life.

January through March were filled with great company and simple adventures:

  • Kayaking the Lower Salt River with Ray & Karen, watching wild horses along the banks
  • Off-roading Box Canyon with Al & Carmen, followed by unforgettable Mexican food
  • Visits with friends in Show Low, Tucson, and Gilbert

Of course, no season is complete without a mechanical lesson. A leaking freshwater tank on Thunder turned into a full replacement, along with a new SeeLevel tank monitoring system.

Saying Goodbye & Heading East

April marked our final month at the Arboretum. A volunteer thank-you dinner, final walks among blooming cactus, and a special highlight — watching my grandson Andrew play baseball during a Phoenix tournament — made the goodbye meaningful and bittersweet.

On April 28, we turned Thunder east and began our spring migration back to Ontario.

The journey was a familiar patchwork of:

  • Walmart and Cracker Barrel overnights
  • Welcome centers and Harvest Hosts
  • Visits with friends and family along the way

We crossed back into Canada on May 8, settling into short stays until our summer site became available.

Summer at Sunni Bank RV Park

By mid-May, we arrived at Sunni Bank RV Park in Ontario, where summer truly began. Reconnecting with longtime friends Bob & Irena turned into a season full of laughter, food, and friendly competition.

Highlights included:

  • Kayaking the Grand River
  • Cornhole and washer board tournaments
  • Campfires and sunset conversations
  • An ongoing (very serious) search for the best Lake Erie perch

Spring rains left Thunder sunk deep enough to break patio stones, and our open site — great for solar and Starlink — came with the challenge of nearby roosters. Still, once settled, it felt like home.

Summer Curveballs & Small Victories

Summer also brought its share of challenges:

  • A leaking washer/dryer valve
  • A burned-out solar charge controller
  • Leveling system switch failures
  • Weak chassis batteries

Thanks to persistence, ingenuity, and Bob “knowing a guy,” everything was repaired. We also restored our Clam screen porch — a favorite spot for afternoon naps — and fully embraced cornhole as our new obsession.

Birthdays were celebrated, briskets were smoked, and long, slow summer days reminded us how important community is on the road.

Fall Travels & New States

October arrived quickly, and with it, packing up and climbing Thunder out of the spring ruts — literally. From there, we headed west on a new northern route, adding four new states to our travel map:

Nebraska • Wyoming • Colorado • Utah

Highlights included:

  • A charming $10/night city campground in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska
  • Climbing I-70 through the Rocky Mountains (with a bag of chips exploding from elevation)
  • Six nights boondocking near Goblin Valley State Park
  • Exploring Lake Powell and quiet desert mesas

Each mile reminded us why we still love long travel days.

Vegas, the Border & an Unexpected Breakdown

We paused in Las Vegas, splitting time between our time-share and keeping Thunder comfortable at the Elks Lodge — a perfect solution for us and Mister Sam.

Mid-November, we headed south toward Mexico. The border crossing at Mexicali was smooth… until one mile later, when a torque rod failed. With no good options, we strapped it up and carefully drove 185 kilometers south to San Felipe.

Sometimes the only option is forward.

Wintering in Mexico

We’re now settled at El Dorado Ranch Resort in San Felipe, Mexico, where life has slowed to a gentler pace.

Our days include:

  • Quiet mornings on an empty sand beach
  • Pool time, hot tubs, and water volleyball
  • Pickleball lessons for Miss Laurie
  • Cornhole games and fresh shrimp on the grill

While we’re still finding our social rhythm here, everyone has been welcoming and kind. Christmas was spent mostly on the beach — different, but just right for this season of life.

Looking Back at 2025

As the year comes to a close, we’re reminded that this lifestyle isn’t about perfect plans. It’s about adaptability, community, and finding joy in the in-between moments — even when something breaks, a route changes, or time moves faster than expected.

2025 gave us new states, old friends, challenges overcome, and a deeper appreciation for the road ahead.

And somehow, it still feels like we’re just getting started.

Day 3009