How to create a home screen shortcut for a live streaming URL? Is it possible to create create a launcher icon that will start a certain streaming video URL in an app registered to the specific media type? (or offer the app chooser menu, in case there are multiple apps matching the content filter). 

In my case it is a M3U playlist URL pointing to a DASH stream and I would like to open it directly in a default app for the content type (i.e. mxplayer).

I am aware that it is possible to create a launcher shortcut from Chrome or other browser via Add To Desktop option, but in this case tapping the launcher will open the web browser first and then will redirect to whichever app can handle the content type. Can this be done in a way that does not require a web browser?

In broader terms, the question is how to create a launcher to a URL or local file that can be tapped from the desktop and would open in whatever app(s) can handle the content type?
If you have a file manager (I use ES File Manager version 4.1.5.5) that can create shortcuts to the desktop, then it is possible to do what you ask.


From ES File Manager, press the file, select More.


Select Open As. A window appears with options. Choose either Audio or Video


A new window will appear with the options to select the app to open the file with. Select Set as the default app, then select your favorite app for playing the m3u streams. The app will open and play the stream. Close the streaming app. 


Select again the file, click More followes by Add to Desktop.
A shortcut will be created; clicking it will open the stream using the app selected during step 3.