Article by Samamama last updated: January 15, 2023
Did you know that one of the very best features of Kodi is its M3U playlist URL input? Traditional satellite TV and cable broadcasting are being replaced by online streaming video services by cord cutters worldwide.
Discover the wonders of Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) while saving tons of money. Access MP3 URL (M3U) playlist files and online video streams on Kodi to cut your cable bills drastically or entirely. MP3 URL playlist files access far more than just music and audio so the name is a bit confusing. If you find the right M3U playlist URL, you’ll be able to include video online streams and even live TV broadcasts.
Many of my readers ask, how to setup M3U playlists in Kodi? And have wondered “how to watch free live IPTV channels online?” In this guide, I will show the best way to stream your favorite movies, TV shows, and live sports online without using extra Kodi addons.
In this step by step illustrated tutorial, I teach how to set up a free IPTV M3U Playlist URL in Kodi. Beyond that, you learn how to use Kodi as a private Personal Video Recorder (PVR) and how to save recordings into your own playlist file with ease.
How to Anonymously Access Free Streams
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What is an M3U Playlist URL?
An M3U playlist URL offers endless free IPTV channels, movies, and TV shows. A free IPTV channels plugin setup and activated on an M3U player like Kodi uses these plugins to access free video streams online.
At its core, an M3U file is a text file that holds media (audio and video) file URLs. Many media files can be sourced like MP3, AVI, M4A, MOV, for example. The M3U file will play any streaming media files on your list with a click of a button. Kodi reads this list and then provides you a menu to pick from. Then after you make a selection, it will play the media streaming file for you.
Why Set Up M3U Playlist URL on Kodi?
M3U Playlists URL are open source, which is awesome! Open source applications work on a variety of operating systems such as Windows and Mac. They are also free to use.
Kodi developers at the non-profit tech alliance XBMC Foundation developed these M3U playlist files. So, stream all your favorite media such as live sports, films, news broadcasts, live TV shows and more once I teach you how to set up the URL for an M3U playlist on Kodi.
PVR IPTV Simple Client is already included with your Kodi installation, so no need to install. Follow the simple setup instructions below to begin watching available streams.
Kodi accesses the M3U file directly, so there is less potential for interruption to your channels. The URL provided below makes it easier to stream even with a less than perfect network connection.
- Use only M3U playlist URLs from trusted sources.
- Always make certain your Surfshark app is connected before streaming.
For live free IPTV channels, reload a new M3U playlist URL. There’s no need to install any addons. Kodi has no built-in M3U playlists, but allows you to set up an infinite amount of playlist URLs. This gets you access to diverse content in your native language. Stream unlimited movies, TV channels, and music stations with this built-in Kodi addon.
How to Watch Free IPTV Channels on Kodi With M3U Playlist URL Setup
How to Find Kodi Built-in IPTV PVR Plugin Settings
- Go to Kodi’s home screen and click Add-ons on the left-side toolbar.
- After that another screen will appear with various tools showing. Click My Add-ons.
- Next, select PVR Clients found in My add-ons.
- Once PVR Clients is selected, scroll down and click on PVR IPTV Simple Client.
- Then, in the bottom of the list click on the Configure menu item.
Kodi IPTV PVR Plugin Add M3U Playlist URL
- Within the plugin’s General Settings, click M3U Playlist URL.
- Type what you see here for the available cCloud Atom file 2018 M3U playlist URL: http://ccld.io/atom.m3u then click on OK.
- After, you’ll be back on the previous screen. Continue by clicking OK again to save these settings in Kodi.
- This should place you back at the PVR IPTV Simple Client window. Then, click the Enable button appearing on the bottom menu.
- After clicking on Enable above, see the dialog informing you of how many channels were on the list in the file at the M3U playlist URL you added.
How to Setup M3U Playlist URL on Kodi and Watch Free Live IPTV Channels, TV Shows, & Movies Without Addons
- With the Firestick remote back button go back to the Kodi home screen and click the TV item in the left menu.
- Many live IPTV channels should now be displayed for you to select from.
- To protect your privacy make sure you are using an encrypted VPN.
- Select any thing you’d like to sream and enjoy!!!
About cCloud Atom M3U Playlist
Above, we shared the cCloud Atom 2018 M3U playlist URL, and it is just one of many playlists available with free IPTV servers. At this time, it provides access to over 450 stations. Watch live broadcasts of local network stations from locations all over the world for free.
NFLNow Live, NFL HD, NFL Sports Network HD, NFL Now HD, and even the NFL Redzone is a small sampling of the NFL channels alone. Also, you’ll find a vast array of children’s programming from Cartoon Network and PBS Kids to Kirin Children in Mandarin and WPSO Kids in Greek.
It’s true, this cCloud TV Atom 2018 M3U playlist URL supports channels from all over the globe in all major and secondary languages. Watch news, sports, movies, entertainment, lifestyle, documentaries, and many other IPTV channels in several different languages.
Kodi PVR IPTV Simple Client Plugin Features
The PVR IPTV Simple Client plugin supports VLC Media Player and nearly any other audio or video player app that works with Kodi. You can enjoy all your favorite movies, TV shows, and even live TV such as sports on smart TVs or any other device that Kodi works with a good M3U playlist URL in the plugin.
The PVR IPTV Simple Client is fully tested by developers. From a decent M3U playlist URL, all channels accessed work with no interruption or buffering.
Electronic program guide (EPG) capabilities are built-in to the Kodi PVR plugin for free IPTV. This allows the user to search Kodi for the most popular and newest TV shows and movies. These are commonly known as TV guides or programming guides, the EPG provides Kodi with a list of media that is continuously updated. You can easily find all your favorite classics and new releases with the EPG. This feature also allows backward scrolling to locate catch up content.
PVR IPTV Simple Client works in multiple languages, too! An M3U playlist URL from the United States or any other part of the world works fantastic. We have confidence that other applications from Kodi in 2023 will work this well.
One of Kodi’s greatest features is the simplicity provided with simple URL access to huge collections of movies, TV shows, and even live sports, news and TV streams. This Best Kodi Addons Review how-to guide makes watching what you want when you want as easy as can be.
Type an M3U playlist URL into Kodi via the PVR IPTV Simple Client plugin’s general settings with ease and begin full access to watching what you want now! Via the PVR IPTV Simple Client plugin’s general settings type in an M3U playlist URL with ease and begin full access to watching what you want now!
When you input a decent M3U playlist URL You will enjoy unlimited channels in any language. This fantastic IPTV plugin offers free unlimited entertainment. You can watch prerecorded programming or any live streaming video you want.
When you follow the above steps the audio and video quality is consistent across the board. If you are accessing the streams through Surfshark, you should have no troubles at all enjoying shows for as long as you wish.
Kodi M3U Playlist Safety
Playlist files aren’t all the same. Many playlist operators get targeted for piracy violations due to licensing issues and their playlists go down. Avoid getting mixed up in this same kind of hassle. Grab your free copy of the Surfshark app and get connected to enjoy live streaming IPTV worry free.
You really do need to protect yourself when using most M3U playlist URL found on the internet. Your identity, location, and all of your online activities are monitored and recorded by your ISP (Internet Service Provider), corporate marketers, and government agencies when you don’t use a secure VPN. Protect yourself with the Surfshark app then enjoy all the freely available streaming entertainment online without worry or hassle.
Please share this setup guide for the Kodi IPTV Simple Client PVR addon if you found it useful.
Thanks for reading!
Some good m3u playlists would be appreciated. 😉
I read somewhere that the new Kodi Matrix (v19) released about a week ago has PVR built into it. Would love to see how that changes things, but not many addons work with it, so am waiting.