Sparkle TV at a glance
- Developer
- HKAB (made in Sweden)
- Devices
- Android TV, Google TV and Fire TV; most features need a TV device
- Sources
- M3U/M3U8 with XMLTV, Xtream Codes API, Stalker Portal, Tvheadend, HDHomeRun, Enigma2, Jellyfin, Plex, DVBLink, DVBViewer, TVMosaic
- Free vs Plus
- Free app; Plus unlocks favourites, sorting, timeshift, DVR, multiview, VOD and multiple sources
- Content
- None: “Sparkle does not provide any channels, sources or media”
From the Google Play listing, checked 29 September 2026 (version 2.3.1, updated there on 7 May 2026).
Who Sparkle TV suits
Sparkle TV is built for the remote control and the big screen. It stands out in two situations:
- You watch IPTV and want recording or multiview on Android TV or Google TV.
- You also have a TV server at home, such as Tvheadend, an HDHomeRun tuner, an Enigma2 receiver or a Jellyfin or Plex server. Sparkle can use several sources at the same time (with Plus), so IPTV and your own tuners sit in one guide.
Free and Plus
| Feature | Free | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| M3U, Xtream Codes and XMLTV sources | Yes | Yes |
| Programme guide with logos and images | Yes | Yes |
| Audio tracks, subtitles, auto frame rate | Yes | Yes |
| Favourites, sorting, show/hide channels | No | Yes |
| Timeshift (pause live TV) | No | Yes |
| DVR recording, series recording | No | Yes |
| Multiview | No | Yes |
| VOD: catch-up, films and series | No | Yes |
| Several sources at once | No | Yes |
From the Plus markings in the Google Play listing. The listing doesn’t publish the Plus price; it’s shown in the app.
Set up Sparkle TV
- Install Sparkle TV Player from Google Play on your Android TV or Google TV device, and check the developer is HKAB.
- Add a source: choose Xtream Codes, Playlist (M3U with an XMLTV guide link) or Stalker Portal, and enter what your provider sent. See Xtream Codes login details.
- Let the guide load, then turn on auto frame rate for smooth 25 and 50 fps channels.
- If you record, choose a storage location with enough free space and, ideally, a fast USB drive rather than the device’s internal storage.
The developer has noted in replies on Google Play that timeshift is resource-intensive; if playback struggles on a low-powered device, try it with timeshift switched off.
Recent changes
Version 2.3.1 improved search, added the option to turn off an audio track, added Danish and Slovak translations and added support for Xtream-style catch-up in M3U playlists, according to its release notes.
Sparkle TV or TiviMate?
Both are TV-first players with grid guides. TiviMate is the better-known choice for IPTV alone. Sparkle TV’s advantage is its range of sources, so it suits people who also run Jellyfin, Tvheadend or a tuner at home. Both install free, so you can try both with the same login on Android TV. The full comparison is in TiviMate vs Sparkle TV.