I want to make sure I have channels local to my area (north texas) for sports. I work out of town consistently and don't want my wife to have to try to update anything while I'm not home. Do these larger iptv providers have consistent streams that don't need updated and include channels local to my region?
Also, I have an htpc with the latest kodi, my wife can navigate kodi, would there be a reason for me to buy a set top box and ditch the htpc or is that mostly for ease of use?
Some of them may have the channel listings you're looking for, but honestly, the legal aspect is something to consider. Especially being in Texas, where a lot of these (paid IPTV) lawsuits have historically started.
I'm using NTV, and having a STB makes life infinitely better as it handles the guide updates, and streams, much more consistently than any EPG guide via Kodi.