“Sling TV is a live streaming service that offers access to both cable and over-the-air channels. The service is offered through the internet, mobile devices, and televisions.” Read more in detail here: sling tv.
A live TV service is the backbone of any cable or satellite provider’s lineup. Which one is best? Let us explore, as we compare Sling TV and PlayStation Vue to see which offers a better selection for your entertainment needs.
Consumers should inquire more often about the number of simultaneous streams available with a live TV streaming service. While services might allow customers to watch on an infinite number of devices at once, they don’t for a variety of reasons. Instead, every service tends to impose a restriction on the number of devices, as well as the kind of devices in certain situations.
There is currently no agreement on the number of simultaneous feeds. Instead, each business sets its own standards, which might make it difficult for customers to choose. This is exacerbated further by the fact that, unlike channels, streaming providers don’t usually tell you how many streams you’ll receive when they quote the fee.
Most of the time, you’ll have to read the FAQs to figure out what restrictions are in place. Worse still, some customers may only discover out after they’ve exceeded the limit by attempting to access on another device.
This comparison of simultaneous streams gives thorough information on how many streams each of the major live TV streaming providers offers. You’ll also discover some more data that may assist you in making a better educated selection. This includes finding out whether the same-time stream restriction has any exceptions or if you may pay extra to get more streams.
What is simultaneous streaming, and how does it work?
Consumers gain greatly from several streams since they are no longer bound by the physical restrictions of a device or even their proximity to it. Simultaneous streams, on the other hand, enable users to view material on whatever device they desire, regardless of whether someone else in the house is watching anything different.
For example, one family member may be viewing a movie on the family TV in the living room using simultaneous streams. Another family member may be in their bedroom, viewing the newest episode of their favorite TV program on their smartphone.
Families can now watch as much as they want, as frequently as they want, on any device they want thanks to the broad device compatibility and simultaneous streaming. That is, at least, the theory. While there are no longer any physical or proximity restrictions with streaming, the biggest providers continue to impose restrictions on their users.
Summary of the comparison of simultaneous streams
The chart below shows how the major live TV providers compare in terms of simultaneous streaming. The table below offers the answer whether you merely want to know how many streams are available with Live TV on Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV is a service that allows you to watch, or any of the other main providers. Following the overview, you’ll discover further details on what each service means when it says “simultaneous streams limit.”
Service | How many streams are there? | Upgrade |
---|---|---|
AT&T TV | 20. (at home) | X |
fuboTV | 3/5 | ✔ |
Hulu Live TV | 2 | ✔ |
Philo | 3 | X |
Sling TV | 1/3 | X |
TVision | 2/3 | X |
Vidgo | 3 | X |
YouTube TV | 3 | X |
Originally published in March of 2021, this version was updated in March of 2021.
AT&T’s TV restrictions
Over the previous several years, AT&T TV has seen repeated price increases, none of which have resulted in any improvement in simultaneous streaming.
AT&T TV now allows members to watch live TV to up to 20 devices at once. This hefty limit, however, is only accessible while you’re at home. Subscribers who want to view AT&T TV outside of their house will only be able to watch three streams at once.
Previously, AT&T TV had the ability to increase the number of streams, but most users no longer have that choice. Furthermore, even while at home, certain legacy, discounted, or overseas users may be restricted to two or three streams.
Limitations of fuboTV
The quantity of streams available on fuboTV is determined on whether you are enrolled to the Family or Elite plan. At the moment, Family customers have access to three streams, while Elite subscribers have access to five streams at the same time.
If you want more streams, you can upgrade to five with the fuboTV’s ‘Family Share Max’ add-on, which costs an extra $16.99 per month.
Limitations of Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV has swiftly risen to prominence in the live TV streaming market. It has quickly climbed up the ranks and currently has one of the biggest user bases in the world. While there is plenty of material, the service’s standard plan isn’t as liberal with simultaneous streaming.
Subscribers to Hulu Live TV may use the service on two devices at once. Furthermore, some customers may have difficulties while streaming when away from home. Hulu Live TV, like fuboTV, provides a ‘Unlimited Screens’ add-on for an extra $9.99 per month that increases the amount of streams available.
One of the key distinctions between Hulu and Netflix is that the latter’s Unlimited Screens add-on allows subscribers to watch as many simultaneous streams as they wish, as long as the devices are connected through the home network.
Limitations of Philo
Philo may be a low-cost service, but it’s hardly low-cost in terms of features, and simultaneous streaming is no exception. Philo users may presently watch on three separate devices at the same time, despite the cheap fee.
Unlike some of the other services, customers may create a fourth stream, however only three will be active at any one time. When a fourth stream is launched, Philo, for example, will instantly cease the first. Other providers, on the other hand, usually issue a warning to the fourth streamer, prohibiting them from using the service and stating that the limit has been reached.
There aren’t many options for individuals seeking for additional streams. With Philo, three streams at once is the exact maximum, since there is no way to upgrade.
Limitations of Sling TV
Sling TV is intended to be a low-cost service. Simultaneously, it is meant to meet the needs of more discerning customers via an a la carte approach. While the initial price is inexpensive, members may customize and enrich their live TV streaming bundle by adding channels or services.
The plan determines the amount of same-time streams, regardless of how comprehensive the Sling TV bundle is. Sling TV has two major options to choose from: Sling Orange and Sling Blue, both of which cost $30 per month. The two plans now vary not just in channel selection, but also in the quantity of streams available.
The following is a breakdown of the Sling Orange/Blue streams:
- Subscribers to Sling Orange may only watch one stream at a time.
- Subscribers to Sling Blue get simultaneous access to three streams.
Sling TV does, however, offer a Sling Orange and Blue plan that includes both Orange and Blue channels. This combined bundle does not include any more streams, but it does include both restrictions. Sling Orange + Blue customers, for example, may watch on up to four devices at once, although the four-device restriction varies per channel.
To clarify, certain channels are only accessible via Sling Orange, and those channels are still limited to one stream under the Orange subscription. As a result, even for Sling Orange + Blue customers, only one device may access that channel at a time.
TVision has certain restrictions.
T-Mobile offers TVision, a live TV streaming service. While the plan will ultimately be accessible to everyone in the United States, it is presently exclusively offered to T-Mobile subscribers. The service provides four different options, with the quantity of streams varying depending on whether you’re a Live or Vibs customer.
The TVision Live plans are divided into three categories: regular, Live+, and Live Zone. While the price and quantity of channels vary, they all allow you to watch on up to three different devices at the same time. TVision Vibe is the fourth package, and members may only watch up to two streams at a time.
The most important thing to remember with TVision streams is that smart TVs are not treated the same as other devices. As a result, customers to the Live or Vibe plans may only be able to view TVision on one smart TV at a time.
Limitations of Vidgo
Vidgo is one of the younger entries to the live TV streaming industry, and although it isn’t quite ready yet, one of its assets is simultaneous feeds. Subscribers to Vidgo may now watch a range of channels on up to three different devices at the same time. There do not seem to be any substantial limits on Vidgo’s feeds at the time, however this may change in the future.
For those who want more than three streams, Vidgo presently does not provide an upgrade option.
Limitations of WatchTV
New WatchTV customers are no longer accepted by AT&T, however current subscribers may continue to use the program. WatchTV, in general, is lacking in terms of extra features, and simultaneous broadcasts are no exception.
Subscribers to WatchTV may only stream on one device at a time. Furthermore, WatchTV does not provide any upgrading options.
YouTube TV has several restrictions.
One of YouTube TV’s key advantages is that it does not allow for much personalization. While this method may not suit those wishing for a more customized TV package, it does ensure that YouTube TV users get access to all of the service’s major features without incurring any extra expenses or penalties.
Subscribers to YouTube TV may presently watch on up to three different devices at the same time. There’s no way to expand the amount of personalization choices with YouTube TV since there are so few. It’s also worth mentioning that the quantity of streams is tied to devices rather than accounts. YouTube TV, for example, allows a member to share their subscription with up to five other individuals (six in total).
Only three accounts may stream at the same time since the hard restriction applies to devices rather than accounts. Even though they are under the same account, if one sub-account is used to stream on a computer and a smartphone at the same time, it will count as two streams.
Read more: Cloud DVR Comparison: What’s the Best Live TV Recording Service?
March 2021 (updated)
The “best live tv streaming apps” is a question that many people are asking. There’s no one answer to this question, as it depends on what you’re looking for in a live tv service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which TV streaming service allows the most simultaneous streams?
A: Hulu has the most simultaneous streams, with six users allowed to watch at a time. Netflix allows four people to watch simultaneously as well.
Which streaming service with live TV is best?
A: There is no clear answer to this question as every streaming service has their strengths and weaknesses.
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