Short answer: on an LG smart TV, which live-TV and IPTV apps you can install depends mostly on your webOS version, and since 2022 that version can change. LG's webOS Re:New programme is rolling webOS 26 out to 2022-2025 models from August 2026, which can bring back apps an older version lost. The catch is that sets from 2021 and earlier aren't in the programme, and on those the app selection only shrinks.
At a glance
Live TV on LG, by webOS version
| Check your version | Settings → Support → TV Information |
| Upgradable models | 2022 and later (webOS Re:New) |
| Newest version | webOS 26, rolling out since Aug 2026 |
| Free live TV | LG Channels, no sign-in needed |
| Older set fix | A streaming stick on HDMI |
Why the webOS version decides everything
LG televisions install apps only from the LG Content Store, and each app in that store declares which webOS versions it supports. When a developer stops supporting an older version, the app vanishes from the store on those sets and eventually stops updating on sets that already have it.
Live-TV apps are often the first to go, because they depend on newer video players, DRM and security features. So the question "can I get this service on my LG?" usually becomes "what version of webOS does my LG run?"
Our IPTV on LG Smart TV guide covers the platform itself, including NetCast sets and Developer Mode. This article focuses on versions, upgrades and what's actually available to watch.
Finding your model year and version
The version. Settings → All Settings → Support (or General → About This TV on some years) → TV Information. The webOS TV version is listed there, alongside the software version.
The model year. LG model numbers encode the year with a letter. For OLEDs, the letter after the series tells you: C1 is 2021, C2 is 2022, C3 is 2023, C4 is 2024 and C5 is 2025. For LCD models, the letter after the screen size does the same job, for example "UR" for 2023 and "UT" for 2024.
Why both matter. The model year tells you whether you're eligible for upgrades. The version tells you what you're running today, which may be older than what you're entitled to if updates haven't been installed.
Turn on automatic updates under Support → Software Update. Many LG sets sit several versions behind simply because this was never switched on.
webOS Re:New and webOS 26
LG launched the webOS Re:New programme in 2022, promising operating-system upgrades rather than just bug fixes. It's the main reason a recent LG can gain apps over its life rather than only lose them.
What's promised. Eligible sets receive four upgrades over five years. A 2022 model gets webOS 23, 24, 25 and 26, finishing in 2027. A 2024 model gets webOS 25 through 28, running to 2029. 2025 models are due to be upgraded through webOS 29.
The current rollout. webOS 26 began reaching televisions on 22 August 2026, starting with 2025 G5 OLEDs and then other 2025 OLED and LCD models. The 2024, 2023 and 2022 cohorts follow later in 2026 or in early 2027, depending on model and region.
What it doesn't include. Some features, such as certain calibration tools and hardware-dependent AI features, aren't added to older models. App compatibility, which is what matters for live TV, is the main benefit.
Samsung's equivalent promise is seven years of upgrades for 2024 and later sets. LG's is shorter on paper, but applies back to 2022.
What to expect on each generation
| Model year | Shipped with | Upgrades? | Live-TV app outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | webOS 25 | Yes, to webOS 29 | Excellent |
| 2024 | webOS 24 | Yes, to webOS 28 | Excellent |
| 2022-2023 | webOS 22 / 23 | Yes, to webOS 26 | Good for several years |
| 2018-2021 | webOS 4.0-6.0 | No | Main apps mostly present; slowly shrinking |
| 2014-2017 | webOS 1.0-3.5 | No | Limited; many services gone |
These are general expectations. Individual services decide for themselves which versions they support, and a few keep older sets going for a surprisingly long time.
LG Channels: free live TV built in
Before paying for anything, open LG Channels. It's LG's own free, ad-supported service, built into LG smart TVs from 2016 onwards.
What you get. In the US, LG lists more than 400 channels of news, films, series, sport-related programming and more. Line-ups differ by country and are smaller in some markets.
No sign-in. There's no registration or account. It appears in the channel list on most recent models, so free streaming channels sit next to your aerial channels.
Where else it works. LG Channels is also available on the web and through mobile apps, which is handy for checking a line-up before you buy a television.
Its limits. Like every free ad-supported service, it doesn't carry live coverage of major sports competitions or premium pay-TV channels. And LG notes that older webOS versions may show a reduced line-up.
Don't forget the aerial. The built-in tuner still gives you the national broadcast channels free of any subscription and with none of the delay of a stream. In countries with hybrid services such as Freeview Play, LG sets add catch-up and extra channels to the aerial guide.
Licensed live-TV and player apps
Streaming TV bundles. In the US, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV and Philo all publish LG apps. As of September 2026, base prices run from roughly $25 a month for Philo to around $83-90 for the full cable-style bundles. Check each one's minimum supported webOS version before subscribing.
Broadcaster apps. National broadcasters in most LG markets publish webOS apps with live streams and catch-up, often free.
Sport. League apps and sports streaming services, such as DAZN where it operates, are widely available on webOS. See our guide to the best legal options for sport for rights holders by competition.
Player apps. A handful of LG Content Store apps play an M3U playlist or login that you supply from a licensed provider. They carry no channels themselves and often charge a one-off or annual licence fee. Newer webOS versions generally give them better codec and guide support.
Services selling thousands of channels for a small annual fee, usually installed through workarounds rather than the store, are almost always unlicensed. Apart from the legal risk, they tend to disappear without refunds.
Options for older LG TVs
If your LG is from 2021 or earlier and a service you want has gone, there are three realistic options.
Try the service's website on another device and cast it. Some services support casting or AirPlay, which recent LG sets accept; older ones may not.
Add a streaming stick or box. This is the most reliable fix. Any current Google TV, Fire TV, Roku or Apple TV device brings a current app store and receives updates independently of the television. Our best IPTV box guide compares them.
Keep the television for aerial and LG Channels. An older LG remains a very good display and tuner. Use the stick for paid streaming and the built-in features for everything else.
Developer Mode, which some guides suggest, is intended for app developers and requires renewing its session regularly. It isn't a practical way to keep mainstream live-TV apps running.
Quick answers
How do I check my LG TV's webOS version? Settings → All Settings → Support → TV Information, or General → About This TV on some models.
Which LG TVs get webOS 26? Models from 2022 to 2025 under the webOS Re:New programme. The rollout started on 22 August 2026 with 2025 models; older years follow into early 2027.
Can a 2021 LG TV be upgraded to a newer webOS? No. webOS Re:New covers 2022 and later models.
Is LG Channels free? Yes. It's ad-supported, with no account needed, and offers more than 400 channels in the US.
Why did an app disappear from my LG TV? Usually because the developer stopped supporting your webOS version.
Does YouTube TV work on LG TVs? Yes, on supported webOS versions. Check the minimum version in the LG Content Store.
What's the best fix for an old LG missing apps? A streaming stick or box on an HDMI port.
LG's upgrade schedule, webOS Re:New eligibility, LG Channels line-ups, service prices and app compatibility vary by country and change over time. Menu names differ between webOS versions. Checked September 2026.