Best Internet for Youtube TV
As streaming continues to supplant old school broadcast and cable TV as the main way that people access movies, sports, and TV shows, a number of live online television streaming services have popped up to offer more of a traditional TV experience.
One of the most popular among these is Youtube TV, which offers live streaming TV (similar to what you’d get from cable or satellite) through a purely online interface, accessible on your smart TV, laptops, and other devices.
Streaming live television tends to use a significant amount of data, however, so you’ll want to make sure your internet service is up to the task. Here’s how to choose the best internet option if you use Youtube TV frequently for content streaming.
What’s the best internet for Youtube TV?
With Youtube TV – as well as other live TV streaming services – you’ll get a lot of mileage out of making sure you have a fast, reliable internet connection.
Few things are more annoying than buffering and lag when you’re streaming a movie or TV show. For live content like sports, this is even more problematic. If your internet speed is too slow, you’re likely to run into this issue a lot.
If you watch a lot of TV online, fast internet is a must, and the best options for you are going to come down primarily to connection speed.
If you have fiber internet available in your area, it’s your best option
Fiber internet offers significantly higher maximum speeds than any other type of internet connection – without charging an arm and a leg for it.
If fiber is available in your area, opting for a fiber package is your best bet as far as speed to price ratio. You’ll get more bang for your buck with fiber than with cable or other options.
What internet speed is best for Youtube TV?
According to Google’s own official speed recommendations for Youtube TV, the minimum requirements are surprisingly low by North American standards.
For regular Youtube videos, a mere 500 Kbps is recommended. 1 Mbps is suggested for movies and TV, including Youtube TV’s live programming service. For 4K UHD, the recommendation is a bit higher, at 20 Mbps.
In truth, these recommendations should be approached as a bit too low. While you could probably manage to stream at such low speeds if you’re only using the internet for that stream and nothing else, it’s probably not going to be a great viewing experience.
If you’re watching a lot of Youtube TV, it’s probably best to go for an internet package with speeds of at least 100 Mbps. This is generally a solid starting point for smooth streaming.
In general, though, the faster the better.
So what’s my best internet option?
The bottom line is that if you can get it locally, fiber optic internet is far and away the best option for fast, reliable Youtube TV streaming. If you don’t, look for a cable internet package offering speeds of at least 200 Mbps for best results.
Youtube TV FAQs
What channels will I get with Youtube TV?
Among the various live TV streaming services, Youtube TV has one of the best overall channel selections, with plenty of different networks to choose from. If you’re looking for variety, it’s a great choice.
That said, it’s not always the best option for hardcore sports fans. While Youtube TV does include some live sports, including the NFL network and the CBS Sports Network, you’ll find less sports variety and content than with some of its competitors.
They do offer an additional Sports Plus add-on, however, with a selection of additional sports channels. These include channels for soccer, billiards, motorsports, MMA, and more. However, even with the add-on, Youtube TV can be a bit lacking versus other providers.
How fast does my internet need to be to stream in 4K?
Realistically, you’ll want at least 100 Mbps if you stream frequently in 4K.
How much does Youtube TV cost?
Youtube TV runs $72.99/month, though you can find deals with a lower rate for the first few months. (As of right now, Youtube TV is offering the first three months to new users at $64.99/month.)
There are also a couple of add-ons with extra channels, which come with additional fees.
Is Youtube TV worth it?
If you’re looking for a good option for live TV – other than traditional cable, which consumers often find to be overpriced or a hassle to set up – Youtube TV is one of the best overall providers out there.
With over 100 channels in their base plan, they’re one of the leaders when it comes to variety. With Youtube TV, you’ll get a service that really does act as a perfect one to one replacement for cable.
Before buying, take a look at which channels Youtube TV offers, and make sure that they include the kinds of content you’re likely to actually watch. As far as downsides to Youtube TV versus its various competitors, its main weakness comparatively is its lack of good selection for sports content.
Fiber internet is your best option for a smooth Youtube TV streaming experience
For Youtube TV streaming, you need internet with fast speeds and a reliable connection. For this, you can’t get any better than fiber. You’ll get significantly higher speeds for the price than you would with other options like cable internet – fast enough to never have to worry about your live TV streams lagging or buffering again.
Ready to make the switch? Find out if Fidium is available near you!