Watch Hindi TV Serials Online in 2026: Best Apps for Star Plus, Colors, Zee & Sony

Missed last night’s episode? In 2026 you can watch Hindi TV serials online on your phone, laptop or smart TV, usually the same day they air. The catch is that every TV network now has its own app, so the right place to watch depends on which channel your serial is on.

Quick answer: Star Plus and Colors serials stream on JioHotstar, Zee TV serials on ZEE5, Sony TV and Sony SAB serials on SonyLIV, and old Doordarshan classics on the free Waves app. For free viewing, try Amazon MX Player and the channels’ official YouTube pages.

Which app has which channel’s serials?

1. JioHotstar: Star Plus and Colors serials

JioHotstar was formed in 2025 when JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar merged. That put Star Plus, Colors, Star Bharat and their sister channels in one app, so most of the top-rated Hindi serials are now in one place.

• Mobile plan: Rs 79 a month or Rs 499 a year, one phone, with ads.
• Super plan: Rs 149 a month or Rs 1,099 a year, two devices including your TV, with ads.
• Premium plan: Rs 299 a month or Rs 2,199 a year, four devices and no ads on shows.

These are the prices in effect from January 2026. Many Jio and Airtel recharge packs also bundle JioHotstar, so check your mobile plan before paying separately.

2. ZEE5: Zee TV and &TV serials

ZEE5 is the home of Zee TV, &TV and Zee’s regional channels. Paid subscribers can watch new episodes the same day they are telecast, and the app also has a large back catalogue of finished serials.

Without a subscription you can still watch a selection of free episodes and clips. If you watch only one Zee serial, the free section and Zee TV’s YouTube channel may be enough.

3. SonyLIV: Sony TV and Sony SAB serials

For Sony Entertainment Television and Sony SAB serials, including long-running shows like Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, use SonyLIV. Full episodes need a subscription; it offers a cheaper mobile-only plan and a premium plan for TVs. Prices change often with offers, so check the current rates in the app before you subscribe.

4. Waves: free Doordarshan classics

Prasar Bharati, which runs Doordarshan, launched its own OTT app called Waves in November 2024. It is the best place for nostalgic DD serials, has dozens of live TV channels, and is free to download on Android and iPhone. If you grew up watching Doordarshan, this is the one to install.

5. Amazon MX Player: free serials with ads

Amazon merged its miniTV service with MX Player to create Amazon MX Player. It is completely free with ads and has a large library of Hindi shows, web series and dubbed serials. It won’t have every new Star or Zee episode, but it’s a good free option to browse.

6. Official YouTube channels

All the big networks run official YouTube channels, including Star Plus, Colors TV, Zee TV, SET India and Sony SAB. They mostly post promos, best scenes and short clips, and some channels also post full episodes, usually a few days after they air.

Stick to the official channels with the verified tick. Uploads from random channels are often copyright violations, get removed, and can come with spammy links.

How to watch Hindi serials on your TV

All of these apps work on Android TV, Google TV, Fire TV Stick, Samsung and LG smart TVs, and JioTV/Airtel set-top boxes. Install the app on your TV and sign in with the same account you use on your phone. On JioHotstar, the Mobile plan works only on phones, so you’ll need the Super or Premium plan for a TV.

You can also cast from your phone to a Chromecast or Android TV using the cast icon inside the app.

Tips to save money

• Check your recharge pack first. Many Jio, Airtel and Vi plans and broadband packs include JioHotstar, ZEE5 or SonyLIV at no extra cost.
• Pick yearly plans if you watch daily serials. They cost much less per month than monthly plans.
• Don’t subscribe to everything. Choose the app for the channel you actually watch, using the table above.
• Avoid piracy sites. “Free serial” websites are full of pop-ups and malware and often stop working without warning.

Frequently asked questions

Can I watch Hindi serials online for free?

Partly. Waves, Amazon MX Player, the free section of ZEE5 and official YouTube channels are free. New episodes of most Star, Colors and Sony serials need a paid JioHotstar or SonyLIV plan.

Where can I watch Colors TV serials now that Voot and JioCinema are gone?

Colors serials are on JioHotstar. Voot became part of JioCinema, and JioCinema then merged with Disney+ Hotstar to form JioHotstar in 2025.

Can I watch today’s episode before it airs on TV?

Some apps release selected serials early for paying subscribers. This varies by show and changes often, so check the show’s page in the app.

Love Bollywood music as well? See our guide to listening to free Hindi music online.