YouTube TV subscribers can now enjoy live sports and events with less lag between real-time action and the stream to their screens.
The streaming provider has introduced a customizable broadcast delay setting to keep audiences more synced to real-time.
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What Does Broadcast Delay Mean on YouTube TV?
Broadcast delay refers to the short time gap, usually seconds, between when a live event occurs and when viewers see it on their screens. This inevitable lag comes from encoding and transmitting video streams before they reach people watching at home.
Generally, longer delays provide more buffer room and prevent streams from cutting out due to internet fluctuations. Shorter delays get live action to viewers quicker through less buffering. Sports fans typically prefer shorter delays for up-to-date action.
YouTube TV Lets Subscribers Decrease Delay
To provide more customization around live streaming, YouTube TV has added a “Broadcast Delay” option in app settings:
The two modes available are:
- Default: YouTube TV’s normal broadcast delay time that balances latency and reliability.
- Decrease for 48 hours: Lowers the delay which reduces lag but can impact stream stability
The ability to decrease the delay is ideal when viewers want to sync their stream as closely as possible to live programming.
Useful for Avoiding Sports Spoilers
Reducing YouTube’s standard broadcast delay can help fans more actively follow game action without seeing spoilers on social media first. With a typical delay of as long as half a minute on some platforms, key plays can reach Twitter before reaching your actual TV.
Over major events like the Super Bowl or NBA Finals, a lowered delay may mean seeing a spectacular touchdown or buzzer-beating shot more immediately. Even fractions of a second make a difference for devoted sports enthusiasts.
Custom Delay Doesn’t Last Forever
The lower latency option on YouTube TV can only be enabled temporarily for 48 hours before it automatically reverts to the default delay. This limit reduces streaming issues for the majority of standard content.
Still, being able to customize latency settings specifically around major games gives users more control over their viewing experience. Broadcast delays can be far longer for antenna-based services with little recourse for adjustment.
Delays don’t have to spoil the thrill of victory when streaming providers add ways to shorten the lag between event and viewer. YouTube TV’s new toggle delivers timely streaming exactly when fans want it most.