Did You Know VLC Can Stream TV? Founder Wants to Keep it Free Forever.
VLC Media Player, the versatile free software for playing videos, lets users access thousands of live TV channels and sports streams worldwide through public IPTV playlists without any cost or ads. Jean-Baptiste Kempf, the program’s key developer, turned down offers worth tens of millions to maintain its ad-free status. This feature has gained fresh attention on social media, showing how VLC turns everyday devices into global entertainment hubs.
Here’s the TL;DR...
VLC stays free forever: Creator Jean-Baptiste Kempf rejected big-money deals to avoid ads and keep the player open-source.
Stream live TV and sports: Use public M3U playlists to watch over 8,000 channels, including 150–300 sports options, directly in VLC.
Easy setup: Download VLC, paste a playlist URL, and start watching—no subscriptions needed.
Legal heads-up: Public streams are free but check local laws; some content may require a VPN for access.
Why it matters: In a world of paid streaming services, VLC offers a no-frills alternative for cord-cutters.
Who Created VLC Media Player and What Makes It Stand Out?
Jean-Baptiste Kempf leads VideoLAN, the non-profit behind VLC. He started contributing to the project in his student days and now serves as its president. VLC handles nearly every media format, from local files to network streams, on platforms like Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
The player launched in 2001 as an open-source tool from French students. It has since racked up billions of downloads. Kempf’s team keeps it updated with features like hardware acceleration and subtitle support.
Why Did Jean-Baptiste Kempf Turn Down Millions to Keep VLC Ad-Free?
Companies offered Kempf tens of millions of euros over the years to add ads or sell the project. He refused each time to preserve VLC’s core principles. In a 2017 interview, Kempf confirmed rejecting “several tens of millions of €” for ad integrations.
This choice stems from VideoLAN’s non-profit status. The organization relies on donations and grants, not ads or data sales. Kempf has said the goal is universal access to media tools without barriers.
Users benefit from a clean experience. No pop-ups interrupt playback, and privacy stays intact since VLC collects no user data.
How Many Free TV Channels Can You Access with VLC?
Public playlists like those from the iptv-org GitHub repository offer over 8,000 channels from around the world. These include news, movies, kids’ shows, music, and more. Sports fans get 150–300 dedicated channels, covering events like soccer, basketball, and cricket.
Channel counts fluctuate as communities update the lists. The main iptv-org playlist pulls streams from 100+ countries, though availability depends on uptime.
Not all channels work perfectly. Some buffer or go offline, but the variety beats many paid services.
Does VLC Support M3U Playlists for Streaming?
VLC fully supports M3U playlists, the standard format for IPTV channels. Open the player, go to Media → Open Network Stream, and paste the M3U URL. The channels load as a playlist for easy switching.
This works on desktop and mobile versions. Android users tap the menu, select Network, and enter the link. iOS follows a similar path under the Network tab.
M3U support dates back to VLC’s early days and handles extended formats with channel names and logos.
How Do You Install VLC and Set Up Free Streaming?
Download VLC from the official site at videolan.org. Choose your platform—Windows, Mac, Linux, or mobile app stores. Installation takes under a minute.
Once open, select Media → Open Network Stream (or Ctrl+N on Windows). Paste a public M3U URL, like:
https://iptv-org.github.io/iptv/index.m3u
Hit Play, and channels appear in the playlist view.
For sports, use:
https://iptv-org.github.io/iptv/categories/sports.m3u
Switch channels via the sidebar. If a stream lags, try another or use a VPN for geo-restricted content.
What Are the Best Public Playlists for Sports and TV on VLC?
The iptv-org repository stands out for its comprehensive lists. The full TV playlist covers news, movies, kids’ programming, and international feeds. Sports options include beIN Sports, ESPN variants, and niche feeds.
Stick to verified sources, as quality varies widely across community forks.
Is Streaming Free IPTV Channels on VLC Legal and Safe?
IPTV streaming from public links is legal if the content is openly broadcast by rights holders. The iptv-org project only links to such streams and does not host video.
VLC itself is secure with no malware, but external streams could carry risks, so antivirus protection is wise.
VPNs may help with privacy and bypassing blocks, but avoid illegal paid IPTV services that pirate premium content.
Always check local laws and streaming rights.
What Devices Work Best for VLC Streaming?
VLC runs on desktops for big-screen viewing via HDMI. Mobile apps turn phones into portable TVs. Smart TVs can sideload Android versions or use casting.
Laptops handle high-bitrate streams well, while phones may require Wi-Fi for smooth playback. Most channels run at 720p or lower.
Why Has VLC’s Streaming Feature Gone Viral Recently?
A post on X from user @elormkdaniel highlighted VLC’s IPTV capabilities, quoting Kempf’s ad-free stance. It shared setup steps and links, gaining over 52,000 likes and 3.4 million views by January 25, 2026.
Replies added tips, like waiting 10–30 seconds for loads. The buzz reminded users of VLC’s underrated features amid rising streaming costs.
What Challenges Come With Free VLC Streaming?
Streams can drop during peak events. Geo-blocks may require VPNs. Not all channels have English audio or subtitles.
Playlists update irregularly, so dead links appear until communities patch them.
Quality often lags behind paid services—expect SD resolution more often than 4K.
How Does VLC Compare to Paid Streaming Apps?
VLC skips subscriptions, unlike Netflix or ESPN+. It lacks large on-demand libraries but excels in live global content.
Paid apps offer reliable HD streams and exclusives. VLC wins for niche international channels unavailable elsewhere at no cost.
Jean-Baptiste Kempf’s commitment keeps VLC a beacon for accessible media in an era of walled gardens. As streaming prices climb, tools like public IPTV playlists offer relief for viewers—provided communities maintain them.
Hat Tips
X post by @elormkdaniel, January 25, 2026:
GitHub iptv-org/iptv repository
VideoLAN official site: https://www.videolan.org/
Hacker News discussion on VLC ad-free offers, September 30, 2017: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15372048
Reddit post on Kempf’s decision, May 9, 2022: https://www.reddit.com/r/BeAmazed/comments/ulropl/this_is_jeanbaptiste_kempf_the_creator_of_vlc
Article Compiled and Edited by Derek Gibbs on January 25, 2026 for Clownfish TV D/REZZED