Improvements are being made to YouTube TV so sports fans can watch multiple games with little to no interruptions.
The annoying thing about watching sports online is that there can sometimes be delays in the broadcast. This results in laggy streams and it’s terrible. In December 2023, YouTube introduced a way to temporarily reduce latency for up to 48 hours at a time. It ensures that interference or fluctuating internet speeds don’t cause streams to crash. But now, according to CordCuttersNewsthe latency reduction option can be permanently enabled.
Images on a 9To5Google report reveal text mentioning the 48 hour time limit is no longer present on Reduced Delay. Moreover, it applies to all channels in the service. The publication states that enabling the tool will only take effect after closing and then reopening the app on Android TV. What’s interesting is that Reduced Lag is still labeled as an experimental feature, so there may be performance issues. It’s possible that YouTube will patch the reduced latency at a later date. Nothing has been confirmed at this time.
Activating Reduced Delay is easy. In the YouTube TV app, select the three-dot menu and then go to Broadcast Delay. The “Reduce” and “Default” options are below that setting. The official YouTube TV Help page explains that the former is best for minimizing playback interruptions, while the latter is more for reducing ‘live spoilers’.
Build your own power
The second improvement is an update for Multiview. This feature was first released in March 2023 and gave users the ability to stream up to four sports games at the same time. Back then, people were forced to choose from preset options. But thanks to the new Build a Multiview toolyou can choose the four games you want to watch.
Build a Multiview was initially discovered by a Reddit user who came across the option one day on YouTube TV. They claim that they could choose a group from all the games that were playing at the time; not just from a specific sport.
There’s a catch: Build a Multiview only has a limited release. Google told CordCuttersNews They are currently testing the feature so only a select few have access. But there are plans for a wider release. It will be available on “all devices that support multiview.” A complete list of these devices can be found at YouTube Help website. They include video game consoles, recent smart TVs, and streaming dongles like the third-generation Fire TV Stick.
Super Bowl 2024 kicks off on Sunday, February 11, and these updates couldn’t have come at a better time. If you’re looking for a new TV to watch the big game, check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best smart TVs for 2024.