With the MagentaTV app you can see all streaming content from the German provider without a Telekom connection. Our test shows whether a subscription to the streaming service is worthwhile.
MagentaTV app in the test
152 reviews
Picture and sound quality
10
Supported devices
8.0
Reliable TV replacement for on the go
The strengths of the MagentaTV app clearly lie in streaming TV content. Not only is the menu navigation very intuitive and tidy, the technology behind it is also good. Live TV content starts without delay and restarting the content does not result in any waiting times. The recording and download option allows users to remain flexible on the go. The series section offers a nice selection of series highlights such as The Walking Dead and the concert selection is also well stocked. However, if you’re not into German films, you shouldn’t expect too much from the film sector.
We liked that
- intuitive and well thought-out menu navigation
- Live TV without delays
- lots of HD channels
- intelligent download and recording function
- large selection of series and concerts
- multiple streams possible at the same time
We didn’t like that
- lots of German films, hardly any English blockbusters (only for a fee)
- Mobile registration with problems
- The film area still seems a bit disorganized
- Additional transmitters can only be purchased as a package, not individually
- Registration is only possible with a deposited payment method
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With MagentaTV, Telekom offers its own extensive TV offering. Since autumn 2018, not only Telekom customers have been able to enjoy local content through the associated app. You can use the app to book tariffs starting from a few euros per month, for which you do not need a mobile phone or Internet contract with Telekom. We have taken a closer look at the tempting offer for you.
MagentaTV app in the test: download and setup
The MagentaTV app is available to download free of charge for Android and iOS. In order to actually use it, you have to create a Telekom account. You then have to choose a MagentaTV app tariff, such as the Smart, Entertain or Netflix package. They all have a term of at least 24 months and offer you different content at different monthly prices.
MagentaTV
With MagentaTV you can also access Telekom’s television offerings via your mobile devices. However, you must meet some requirements for this. You can find out what these are here.
Mobile login issues
The registration itself is actually easy. Enter personal data, confirm your email address and then enter a payment method. However, we had problems logging in using an Android phone. Switching from the MagentaTV app to a Telekom registration mask and then to the email program to confirm the email address still worked well. But after being redirected to the payment method – we chose Paypal – the way back didn’t really work. The data visible there was incorrect.
We also faced a similar problem when we tried using the iPad. Only a final attempt via the laptop led to the final registration. After a few minutes, the confirmation finally arrived in my inbox that the offer could now be used. By the way, registration is possible on up to five devices. MagentaTV can be watched directly via smartphone or tablet or streamed to the television via Fire TV or Chromecast. An initial test with the smartphone, iPad and a Chromecast stick showed no delays or problems. Two streams can also be started at the same time.
MagentaTV app in the test: The operation
In addition to what an app offers, the design, structure and usability must also be consistent and useful for the user. To do this, we looked at the app on an Android smartphone and an iPad. We were positively surprised by both the Android and iOS apps. The surface appears tidy and the structure is easy to see.
The MagentaTV app in pictures
Images for the MagentaTV app.
As a newbie, you will also see small pop-ups that provide tips on how to get started with the app. In many apps, these types of tutorials are too detailed and annoy those who want to get to the point quickly. Not so with the Telekom app: As professionals, we also found the little tips helpful and not too intrusive.
Navigation in the left-aligned menu is simple and easy to understand. When you start the app, the user lands on the homepage. In the upper teaser area, selected highlights are prominently displayed in a carousel. Directly below you can see what is currently on TV. Also in the directly visible area is the menu item “Continue viewing now”. A button with a pink background also indicates the current TV program. A user doesn’t need anything more when opening the app: clean and well structured.
The menu itself offers sub-items on the TV program, your own content, the Megathek (the video-on-demand offer at MagentaTV), films, series, sports as well as the children’s and music area. We would like to address these below.
MagentaTV app in the test: The television options
Whether live TV, series, films or concerts: the MagentaTV app has a wide variety of content to offer. Of course, the decisive factor is which tariff you have booked with the provider. You can find out more information about these and what they include in detail in our MagentaTV offer overview.
The main feature of the MagentaTV app is of course access to live TV. In a clear TV guide you can see directly what is currently and will be shown on television. Once you have decided on a program, playback starts really quickly and without any significant buffering times if you have a good WiFi or stable mobile phone connection. This is not a given.
Once you have landed on a live program, you can change the channel with a simple swipe to the left or right. This is almost the same as convenient switching via remote control. When watching TV you have two or three options. On the one hand, you can continue to follow the show or film live and in real time.
However, it is also possible to start the program from the beginning if, for example, you missed the beginning. Also very practical is the fact that television content from many channels can be recorded. The user determines the recording quality and whether only one or all episodes should be recorded.
A small info button also informs you about other broadcast times, the genre or the content of the program or series. Here the user can get the information they need very quickly. This makes another TV program app unnecessary.
More than 100 channels – many of them in HD
The TV program overview is also very clear and user-friendly. The viewer can filter between recommendations from the editors, the program from 8:15 p.m. or special TV highlights. The selection of channels can also be determined according to your own preferences. In the MagentaTV Basic tariff you have over 100 channels to choose from (20 of which are in HD), with MagentaTV Smart there are over 180 channels and 100 of them in HD quality.
If that’s not enough for you, but you don’t want to use a more expensive tariff, you can, for example, book the Film TV package for an additional 6 euros, which offers access to popular US channels such as FOX or TNT. For sports fans, there are various DAZN packages that can be canceled on a monthly basis or with a longer term at a slightly cheaper price.
Individual channels cannot be booked here, only packages. The selection is extremely diverse with packages for Netflix, Disney+, Wow or MagentaSport.
Your own content at a glance
You can find your favorites under the “My Content” tab. There he will find, for example, your watch list, downloads of series or films or current or past TV recordings. This type of “home area” is also known from other streaming services.
MagentaTV app in the test: The other offerings are being put to the test
If live television isn’t enough for you, you can let off steam in the megathek. The MagentaTV app offers a different selection of current series and unfortunately fewer current films – at least if you are still looking for free offers.
While the selection of free series still seems very large to us, in the free films areas – there are almost 2,000 to choose from – we mainly find German films and rather fewer Hollywood blockbusters. Alternatively, we can purchase these for 3.99 euros per film. The sorting function also doesn’t seem quite as consistent in some places. For example, under films we were offered the Game of Thrones seasons. A series under films? Something doesn’t add up.
The MagentaTV app also offers other media offerings such as documentaries or a special program for children. A large selection of concerts by top stars such as Adele, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, AC/DC, The Weeknd, Robbie Williams, Madonna and Coldplay are also available on demand for all music fans. “Relays” to festivals such as Rock am Ring or Wacken are also part of the program.
Free trial available?
Unlike many other streaming services, MagentaTV does not offer the option to test the offer for free before taking out a subscription. However, there are various promotions that allow you to use the streaming service for free for a few months, at least initially.
This is the case, for example, if you commit to MagentaTV for 24 months. In the corresponding subscription packages you get the first six months free and only pay from the seventh month onwards. Tenants who switch from cable TV to MagentaTV have another option. You can secure up to nine free months.
MagentaTV app
152 reviews
Picture and sound quality
10
Supported devices
8.0
MagentaTV app: The best alternatives
Don’t agree? Are you looking for suitable alternatives? Below you will find the best MagentaTV app alternatives.
We also recommend that you take a look at our Internet television best lists. You can find comparable products, for example, in the best list “Watching TV over the Internet: Watch live TV online with TV streaming apps”
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