YouTube TV Now Allows Viewers to Reduce Broadcast Delays for Longer than 48 Hours; How to Use Feature for NFL Playoffs
Thanks to an update, YouTube TV subscribers can now turn on the feature which reduces broadcast delays permanently if they wish.
One of the trickiest things about streaming live sports as opposed to watching them on linear TV is that streaming sources often provide a more heavily delayed transmission of the event in question. This delay is called latency by industry insiders, and it can lead to annoyance when viewers have the action on the screen spoiled for them before it happens because their transmission has been delayed. YouTube TV introduced a feature for reducing broadcast delays on live TV channels months ago, and has made an important update to that feature ahead of this weekend’s NFL conference championship games.
- YouTube TV first introduced the “reduce broadcast delay” feature in early December.
- The feature now allows subscribers to turn it on and leave it on until turned off, as opposed to staying on for only 48 hours at a time.
- The feature is rolling out ahead of the AFC and NFC Championship games, both of which are available on YouTube TV.
How Does Reduce Broadcast Delay Feature Work?
YouTube TV’s “reduce broadcast delay” feature slims down the delay between live action on a given channel and when the viewer sees it. Customers do have to choose between potential evils when using the feature; reducing the delay leaves less time for buffering the signal, which can lead to transmission interruptions or a less clear picture.
When “reduce broadcast delay” was first rolled out, YouTube TV allowed subscribers to turn it on only for 48-hour stretches. Once the two days had elapsed, the feature turned off automatically and customers would have to turn it back on again to reengage it.
But this week, YouTube TV engineers informed subscribers via Reddit that it had decided to make the “reduce broadcast delays” feature a simple on/off proposition. Customers can simply switch it on and leave it on instead of worrying that it will turn off at an inopportune moment without their knowing.
How to Activate ‘Reduce Broadcast Delays’ Feature
YouTube TV customers will find the “reduce broadcast delay” feature in the three-dot menu. All subscribers need do is:
- Select the three dot more menu
- Select “Broadcast Delay”
- Select “Decreased” or “Default”
Decreased will turn the feature on and leave it on until it’s been turned off. This will mean you’ll see the picture as close to live as possible, but you may see interruptions or a less-than-optimal picture quality while the feature is in use.
Why is YouTube TV Updating the ‘Reduce Broadcast Delays’ Feature Now?
There’s never a bad time to unveil features that make the user experience better on a streaming platform, but YouTube TV’s decision to update the “reduce broadcast delays” option now is likely not accidental timing. The NFL will play its AFC and NFC Championship games on Sunday, Jan, 28, and being able to see the action as close to live as possible will be of great importance to NFL fans.
Making the change now will allow NFL audiences to watch the AFC and NFC Championships on YouTube TV with the feature turned on, and keep it on until Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11 if they so choose. None of these games will be available through NFL Sunday Ticket, even though that service now resides on YouTube TV. To watch the conference championship games and the Super Bowl with the “reduce broadcast delays” option, you’ll need a YouTube TV subscription starting at $72.99 per month.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $72.99/month. This plan includes local channels, 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The service includes an unlimited DVR.