IPTV on Several Screens: How It Really Works

Households rarely watch one thing at a time. The game is on in the living room, a show plays in the kitchen and someone streams on a phone upstairs. Here's how to make sure nobody gets cut off.

Devices vs. Screens

You might have the app on six devices, a TV, two phones, a tablet, a laptop and the basement TV, but only three of them in use at the busiest moment of the week. That peak number is what you size your plan to.

Why Separate Logins Matter

Sharing one login across screens is the most common reason families see random disconnections. The server sees too many streams on one account and stops one. Separate logins avoid that entirely, and they bring a bonus: each login can sit on a different internet connection, in a different home.

Size Your Plan in 60 Seconds

1. Think of your busiest evening, usually a weekend.
2. Count the screens playing at the same moment.
3. Add one if a relative or the cottage will share the plan.
4. That's your number of screens.

What It Costs Per Screen

Using our 12-month prices, the cost per screen falls as the plan grows:

Shorter plan lengths are on the pricing page.

Bandwidth for a Busy House

Budget 15 Mbps per HD screen and 25 Mbps per 4K screen playing at the same time. Three HD screens need about 45 Mbps reaching those devices. Wire the main TV and the rest of the house will have more Wi-Fi to share. Details in our internet speed guide.