Short answer: Indian television in the US is split between live-channel bundles, chiefly Sling's Desi packages and YuppTV, and the broadcasters' own apps, such as ZEE5 and SonyLIV. Cricket is separate again, mostly on Willow at $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year. The catch is that the big Indian networks license separately, so one service rarely covers everything, and JioHotstar, which many people expect to find, is not available in the US: former Hotstar content moved into Disney+ and Hulu.
At a glance
Indian TV streaming in the US
| Live channel bundles | Sling Desi packages, YuppTV |
| Broadcaster apps | ZEE5, SonyLIV and others |
| Cricket | Willow, $9.99/month or $79.99/year |
| Hotstar in the US | Gone since 2021; content on Disney+ and Hulu |
| Regional languages | YuppTV is strongest for South Indian |
| First step | List your must-have channels |
Why Indian TV is fragmented in the US
Indian television is dominated by a few large network groups: JioStar (which now owns both the Star and Colors channels), Zee and Sony, plus strong regional broadcasters such as Sun TV in the south and many language-specific channels.
Each group sells its North American rights separately. Some license channels to US live-TV bundles, some keep them for their own apps, and some do both. The result is that the channel you want might be in a Sling package, a standalone app, or not available in the US at all.
The practical approach is to start from the three or four channels or shows your household really watches, then work out which service carries them.
What happened to Hotstar
Many people arriving from India expect to keep using Hotstar. In the US, that isn't possible.
Hotstar closed as a US product in 2021, and its content was folded into Disney's US services, Disney+ and Hulu. Star serials and some Indian films therefore appear there, depending on the title.
JioHotstar, the merged service in India, is offered in only a handful of countries outside India, and the US isn't one of them. Apps or accounts that claim otherwise aren't legitimate.
If Star Plus serials are a priority, check Hulu and Disney+ for the specific shows before subscribing to anything else.
The main licensed options compared
| Service | Type | Strengths | Price guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sling Desi packages | Live channels, with some apps bundled | Hindi entertainment and news; some packages bundle SonyLIV, ZEE5 or Willow | Roughly $15 upward per month; varies by package |
| YuppTV | Live channels and catch-up | Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and other regional channels | Roughly $10 to $45 per month by package |
| ZEE5 | Broadcaster app | Zee serials, films and originals across languages | Subscription; check current price |
| SonyLIV | Broadcaster app | Sony serials, films and originals | Subscription; check current price |
| Disney+ and Hulu | On-demand | Former Hotstar and Star content | Standard Disney plans |
| Willow | Sport | International cricket, including many India matches | $9.99/month or $79.99/year |
Prices above are approximate and change regularly, and several services sell cheaper annual plans. Check the service's own site for the day's price and, above all, for the channel list.
Sling's Desi packages
Sling has been a major route for Indian channels in the US for years. It groups them into packages such as Desi Binge Plus, Desi Binge and South Indian options like Dakshin Flex, organised by language: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Urdu, Punjabi, Marathi and Bangla.
Bundled apps are the selling point. Some Sling Desi packages include subscriptions to broadcaster apps such as SonyLIV, and in some cases ZEE5 or Willow cricket. If you'd pay for those anyway, a bundle can be cheaper than subscribing separately.
Check exactly what's inside. Package contents change as rights deals are renewed. A package that included an app last year may not now, so read the current page rather than a review.
YuppTV and regional languages
YuppTV is an Indian-owned service built around regional-language television. Its strength is South Indian channels: Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada viewers often find more of their channels there than anywhere else.
It offers live channels with catch-up, so you can watch a serial broadcast earlier in India at a convenient US time. Packages are sold by language and size.
As with every service, lineups shift with rights deals, so confirm your channels before prepaying for a year.
Broadcaster apps: ZEE5, SonyLIV and others
For many families, serials and films matter more than live channels, and the broadcasters' own apps are the most direct source.
ZEE5 carries Zee network serials, films and originals across Hindi and regional languages.
SonyLIV carries Sony's serials, originals and films.
Other apps from regional broadcasters and Indian film platforms also serve US viewers, often with a free tier.
The advantage is that you get the full library, often including episodes on the same day they air in India. The drawback is paying for several apps. That's where bundles, including Sling's, can save money.
Cricket
For most US cricket fans, Willow is the core subscription. It carries a large share of international cricket and major tournaments, sold directly for $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year, and is also available through some TV providers and bundles.
Rights for particular tournaments, including ICC events and the IPL, are sold separately and occasionally move, so check who holds the event you care about before it starts. Our guides to cricket streaming and the IPL go into more detail.
Free options
News channels. Several major Indian news channels stream live free on their official websites and YouTube channels.
Full episodes on official channels. Many broadcasters publish serial episodes and films on their verified YouTube channels, sometimes with a delay.
Free tiers. Broadcaster apps and free ad-supported platforms on smart TVs carry a surprising amount of Indian content at no cost.
It's worth exploring these before paying, especially for older family members who mainly want news and a couple of serials.
Setting it up for parents visiting or living with you
A common reason for Indian TV in a US home is parents who have come to stay, sometimes for months. A few choices make that much easier.
One app, not five. A bundle that brings live channels and serials together is easier to learn than juggling several apps. Put it first on the home screen.
Use catch-up. Serials broadcast in the Indian evening arrive in the US morning. Services with catch-up or on-demand episodes let parents keep their usual viewing rhythm without waking early.
Set the language once. Most apps let you choose a default language for menus and a preferred language for content. Setting both saves repeated confusion.
A simple remote. Streaming devices with voice search let people ask for a channel by name, including Indian channel names, which is often easier than browsing a guide.
Plan for the length of the stay. Monthly plans suit a three-month visit better than an annual prepay, even if the monthly rate is higher.
How to choose, and what to avoid
Write down the must-haves. Particular serials, a news channel, a regional channel and cricket are the usual list. Then check each service's page for them.
Match to the household. Hindi-speaking households often do best with a Sling Desi package or broadcaster apps. South Indian households often find YuppTV fits better. Cricket fans add Willow.
Mind the device. These services have apps for Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV and most smart TVs. Our guide to choosing safely in the US covers set-up and red flags.
Avoid "all Indian channels" boxes and lists. Offers of every Indian channel for a small one-off or monthly fee aren't licensed. They often disappear, can carry malware, and offer no refund. The legitimate services above are not the cheapest option, but they keep working.
Quick answers
How can I watch Indian TV channels in the USA? Through live-TV bundles such as Sling's Desi packages and YuppTV, through broadcaster apps such as ZEE5 and SonyLIV, and through Willow for cricket.
Is Hotstar available in the USA? No. Hotstar closed in the US in 2021 and its content moved to Disney+ and Hulu. JioHotstar is not offered in the US.
Which service is best for Telugu or Tamil channels in the US? YuppTV is generally strongest for South Indian regional channels, and Sling has South Indian packages as well. Check the specific channels you want.
How much does Willow cost in the US? Willow sells directly for $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year as of 2026, and is also available through some TV providers.
Does Sling include ZEE5 or SonyLIV? Some Sling Desi packages bundle broadcaster apps such as SonyLIV, and in some cases ZEE5 or Willow. Contents change, so check the current package page.
Where can I watch Star Plus serials in the US? Former Hotstar and Star content is on Disney+ and Hulu in the US, depending on the title.
Are cheap boxes with all Indian channels legal? Generally not. They carry channels without licences, can stop working without notice and offer no consumer protection.
Indian channel rights in the US change often, and packages, bundled apps and prices change with them. Check each service's current lineup before subscribing. Checked September 2026.