In a major shift in viewing habits, television screens in many Chennai homes are taking a backseat, as smartphones have become the primary source for watching TV channels. Thanks to high-speed internet and streaming apps, people now prefer catching their favourite shows, news, and live events on the go.From popular Tamil serials to cricket matches and news bulletins, everything is now just a tap away. Apps like JioTV, Hotstar, SunNXT, Zee5, and Airtel Xstream have made it easy for viewers to access live TV anytime, anywhere.
“I hardly switch on the TV these days. I watch serials on my phone while commuting or during lunch breaks,” says Aravind, a software engineer from Velachery. “It’s more convenient and I don’t have to wait for the entire family to finish using the remote.”
This trend is particularly strong among the younger generation and working professionals who are always on the move. With mobile phones offering personalized viewing, multi-language content, and no fixed schedule, traditional television is finding it hard to keep up.
Even housewives and senior citizens are adapting to mobile viewing. “My daughter taught me how to watch Sun TV on the phone. Now I can watch my serials even if there’s a power cut or if I’m in the kitchen,” says Lakshmi, a homemaker in Anna Nagar.
Cable and DTH operators are noticing the trend too, as subscribers shift to data plans and streaming apps over traditional monthly packages.
As Chennai becomes more tech-savvy, mobile phones are not just for calls or messages — they’ve quietly become the new television.