10 Best IPTV Players and Services (2026)

An IPTV player is only half the equation, and it is the half most guides fixate on. A polished app cannot invent channels that your subscription does not carry, cannot fix a provider whose servers buckle at kick-off, and cannot populate a guide from data that was never sent. The service decides what you can watch; the player decides how pleasant it is to watch it.

So this guide covers both, in that order. The five services below are the ones I would pair a player with in 2026, followed by the five players worth installing once you have a subscription that works. Every price was checked against the provider’s own site in July 2026, and the player apps are free or clearly marked where a paid unlock applies.

Quick Verdict

Pair a solid subscription with the right app and most problems disappear. StreamingNordic IPTV is my pick for multi-screen households, ApolloTV carries the largest catalogue here, and Mangolia IPTV offers the best on-demand library. TiviMate remains the strongest player.

Top 5 Editor Picks for IPTV Players

How I Tested These IPTV Players

Players were judged on the things you notice after a fortnight rather than the things a feature list advertises. I loaded the same Xtream Codes credentials into every app across a Firestick, an Android TV box, an iPad and a Windows laptop, then used each as a daily driver for several evenings. The services were tested the same way, on the same hardware, with the same players, so the difference between a provider problem and a player problem could actually be isolated rather than guessed at from a single failing stream.

• Guide quality: How completely the programme data populated, and whether the layout stayed readable from across a room.
• Channel switching: Time between pressing the remote and the next channel actually playing, measured on budget hardware.
• Platform coverage: Whether one app could realistically serve every screen in a mixed household without compromise.
• Failure behaviour: What each player did when a stream dropped, since recovering gracefully matters more than raw speed.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. They cost you nothing extra and never change the ordering, which follows the testing above. The five player apps below are free or have a clearly marked paid unlock, and none of them pays for placement here, so their ranking reflects nothing beyond how they performed across those four criteria.

Best IPTV Players and Services: Reviews

1) StreamingNordic IPTV

StreamingNordic IPTV earns the top slot because it prices multi-connection plans openly instead of billing every extra stream separately. The Duo and Trio tiers at €119.99 and €159.99 a year work out cheaper than running two or three separate subscriptions, which is what most households actually need.

It also proved the most consistent service across every player I tested, holding steady 1080p in TiviMate, Smarters Pro and Kodi alike. That matters here, because a service that only behaves in one specific app is a service that will frustrate you the moment you change device.

Features

• Multi-screen pricing: Duo at €119.99 and Trio at €159.99 annually, both cheaper than running two or three entirely separate subscriptions.
• Player agnostic: Held steady 1080p in TiviMate, Smarters Pro and Kodi alike, rather than behaving properly in only one application.
• Northern European depth: Deep Nordic and northern European coverage alongside the main sport packages, roughly 21,000 live channels in total.
• Consistency: No dropouts recorded across the full fortnight of evening testing, which very few services on this list managed.
• Entry pricing: Fourteen ninety-nine for a single month makes short-term testing genuinely affordable before committing to any longer term.
• Free trial: A trial runs before purchase, though no money-back terms are published anywhere on the provider’s own site.
• My take: The obvious pairing for a household running several screens, and the safest bet if you switch players often.

Pros

• Openly priced Duo and Trio multi-connection plans
• Behaved consistently across every player tested
• No dropouts recorded during the full fortnight
• Affordable single month for short-term testing
• Strong northern European channel coverage

Cons

• No published money-back terms of any kind
• Nordic emphasis may not suit every household
• On-demand library smaller than ApolloTV’s

Pricing

Checked against the official site on 20 July 2026.

• Single Plans: €14.99 for one month, €45.99 for six months, €69.99 for twelve months.
• Family Plans: Duo €119.99 and Trio €159.99 for twelve months.
• Trial and Refund: Free trial offered; no money-back terms published, so test first.

Visit StreamingNordic IPTV →

2) ApolloTV

ApolloTV carries the largest combined catalogue of the services here, at roughly 24,000 live channels plus a genuinely polished on-demand section. Artwork and metadata load quickly even on modest hardware, which is where most large libraries become painful to browse rather than pleasant.

Pricing sits at the higher end and the refund policy needs reading carefully. A seven-day window is advertised, but the published FAQ describes it as pro-rated rather than a full return, so I would treat the six-hour trial as the real decision point rather than the guarantee.

Features

• Largest catalogue: Around 24,000 live channels alongside a polished on-demand section, the biggest combined library among the services reviewed here.
• Fast metadata: Artwork and descriptions loaded quickly even on modest hardware, where most large libraries become genuinely slow to browse.
• Flexible terms: Plans run from one month at $19.99 through to twelve months at $79.99, covering both short tests and longer commitments.
• Quick trial: A six-hour trial arranged through WhatsApp with no card details required before you commit any money at all.
• Player compatibility: Standard Xtream Codes credentials worked cleanly in every one of the five player applications reviewed further down.
• Refund caveat: A seven-day refund is advertised, but the published FAQ describes it as pro-rated rather than a full return.
• My take: Choose this when on-demand breadth matters most, and treat the short trial as the real decision point.

Pros

• Largest combined live and on-demand catalogue here
• Metadata and artwork load quickly on modest hardware
• Plan lengths from one month to a full year
• Worked cleanly in all five players tested
• Six-hour trial needs no card details

Cons

• Refund is pro-rated rather than a full return
• Monthly pricing sits at the higher end here
• Trial window is only six hours long

Pricing

Checked against the official site on 20 July 2026.

• Monthly Plan: $19.99 for one month, $27.99 for three months.
• Longer Plans: $49.99 for six months, $79.99 for twelve months.
• Trial and Refund: Six-hour WhatsApp trial; seven-day refund advertised but pro-rated in the FAQ.

Visit ApolloTV →

3) Mangolia IPTV

Mangolia IPTV has the best-organised on-demand library of any service here, with box sets grouped properly by series and season rather than dumped into one enormous folder. On a remote control that organisation is worth more than several thousand extra titles.

At $13 a month it is also among the cheapest, and a one-off $220 lifetime tier exists for anyone certain enough to skip recurring payments. I found live sport slightly behind the top two on peak-hour bitrate, though only on 4K feeds rather than the standard 1080p streams most people watch.

Features

• Organised library: Roughly 40,000 on-demand titles grouped by series and season, which makes browsing by remote far less painful.
• Low monthly price: Thirteen dollars for a single month places it among the cheapest services reviewed anywhere on this page.
• Lifetime tier: A one-off $220 payment covers one connection permanently, sold alongside monthly plans rather than replacing them entirely.
• Channel range: About 22,000 live channels weighted towards European sport, with solid Bundesliga, LaLiga and Champions League coverage right through the season.
• Trial and refund: A free 24-hour trial on one connection, followed by a seven-day money-back guarantee on any paid tier.
• Bitrate caveat: Peak-hour 4K sport trailed the top two services here slightly, though standard 1080p streams stayed entirely stable throughout testing.
• My take: The pick if on-demand matters more than live sport, and the tidiest catalogue to navigate with a remote.

Pros

• Best-organised on-demand catalogue of any service here
• Among the cheapest monthly prices reviewed
• Optional one-off lifetime tier at $220
• Seven-day money-back guarantee on every tier
• Strong European league coverage all season

Cons

• Peak-hour 4K bitrate trails the top two services
• Lifetime plan covers a single connection only
• North American sport coverage is thinner

Pricing

Checked against the official site on 20 July 2026.

• Monthly Plan: $13 for one month, $49 for six months, $73 for twelve months.
• Lifetime Plan: $220 as a single payment on one connection.
• Trial and Refund: Free 24-hour trial; seven-day money-back guarantee.

Visit Mangolia IPTV →

4) USA LIVE IPTV

USA LIVE IPTV is the pick for North American sport, carrying full NFL, NBA and MLB coverage through the season rather than the handful of headline fixtures that European-focused services tend to offer as an afterthought.

The commitment is the drawback: there is no trial and the shortest plan runs three months at $49.96. In exchange the two-year rate of $139.98 is the lowest sustained price here, working out under six dollars monthly, and my testing found it among the most stable services across every single player reviewed below.

Features

• North American sport: Full NFL, NBA and MLB coverage right through the season, rather than only the headline fixtures rivals carry.
• Long-term pricing: Twenty-four months at $139.98 works out under six dollars monthly, the lowest sustained rate reviewed on this page.
• Cross-player stability: Among the most consistent services tested, holding its stream reliably in every one of the five players below.
• Channel range: Around 20,000 live channels with the emphasis firmly on United States and Canadian broadcasters plus general entertainment.
• Guide accuracy: Programme data matched actual broadcast times closely, which matters considerably when scheduling recordings around a live sport fixture.
• Commitment caveat: No free trial exists and three months is the shortest available term, so the first quarter becomes your test.
• My take: The right choice for American sport, provided you accept paying for a full quarter before knowing whether it suits.

Pros

• Best North American sport coverage of any service here
• Lowest sustained monthly rate on the two-year plan
• Very stable across all five players tested
• Accurate programme guide data throughout
• Strong United States and Canadian channel lineup

Cons

• No free trial of any kind before purchase
• Shortest available plan runs three full months
• European and international coverage is thinner

Pricing

Checked against the official site on 20 July 2026.

• Quarterly Plan: $49.96 billed for three months, the shortest term offered.
• Longer Plans: $95.98 for twelve months, $139.98 for twenty-four months.
• Trial and Refund: No public trial; confirm refund terms with support before buying.

Visit USA LIVE IPTV →

5) OneMonthIPTV

OneMonthIPTV exists to be tried rather than committed to, and that makes it genuinely useful when you are still working out which player suits you. At $11.90 it is the cheapest entry here, with no annual tier and no attempt to lock anyone in.

Use it as a working set of credentials while you install TiviMate, Kodi and Smarters Pro side by side and decide which interface you actually prefer. My testing found roughly 16,000 channels and a plainer catalogue, but stability on the main sport feeds held up perfectly well.

Features

• Cheapest entry: One month at $11.90, reduced from $19.90, the lowest starting price of any service reviewed on this page.
• No lock-in: The service deliberately offers no annual or lifetime tier, so nothing is lost if you move on quickly.
• Player testing: Ideal as a working set of credentials while you install several players side by side and compare interfaces.
• Quarterly option: Three months at $24.90, reduced from $59.90, which undercuts the monthly pricing of many rivals reviewed on this page outright.
• Fast activation: Credentials arrived within minutes of payment and loaded straight into TiviMate without needing any manual guide configuration at all.
• Channel range: Around 16,000 live channels covering the main European and North American sport packages plus general entertainment programming.
• My take: Buy a single month purely to audition players, then move the budget to a fuller service once decided.

Pros

• Cheapest entry price of any service tested here
• Quarterly plan undercuts many rivals’ monthly rates
• No lock-in, so switching costs you almost nothing
• Credentials arrive within minutes of payment
• Ideal for comparing several players quickly

Cons

• Smallest channel list among the services here
• No annual or lifetime tier at any price
• No free trial before the first paid month

Pricing

Checked against the official site on 20 July 2026.

• Monthly Plan: $11.90 for one month, reduced from $19.90.
• Quarterly Plan: $24.90 for three months, reduced from $59.90.
• Longer Terms: Not offered; the service is built around short commitments.

Visit OneMonthIPTV →

6) TiviMate

TiviMate is the best IPTV player available and has been for several years, provided you are on Android. Channel switching is near instant, the guide reads properly from a sofa, and every screen assumes a directional remote rather than a ported touchscreen layout.

The free tier covers live playback while the premium unlock adds recording, multiple playlists and picture-in-picture. I have carried the same premium licence across three different providers without ever repurchasing it, which is the quiet argument for buying a good player before upgrading the subscription behind it.

Features

• Best-in-class guide: The programme guide is genuinely readable from a sofa, which no other player reviewed on this page manages properly.
• Instant switching: Channel changes registered almost immediately even on budget Android hardware, where rival apps introduced a noticeable delay.
• Multiple playlists: Premium runs several providers simultaneously, which helps when pairing a main subscription with a cheaper backup service.
• Recording: Scheduled and instant recording to internal or external storage, covering the gaps where a provider offers no catch-up service.
• Channel management: Hide, reorder and group channels so that a twenty-thousand-channel list becomes something you can navigate by remote.
• My take: Buy the premium unlock before upgrading any subscription, because the player shapes your daily experience considerably more.

Pros

• Best programme guide of any IPTV player available
• Near-instant channel switching on budget hardware
• Runs several providers side by side on premium
• Excellent channel grouping and reordering tools
• Free tier is genuinely usable before paying

Cons

• Android and Fire OS only, with no iOS build
• Key features sit behind the premium unlock
• Does not run on Samsung or LG televisions

Pricing

Free tier available; premium unlock sold separately.

• Free Version: Live playback and a basic guide at no cost.
• Premium Unlock: Paid licence adding recording and multiple playlists; check official site.
• Link: https://tivimate.com/

7) IPTV Smarters Pro

IPTV Smarters Pro is the player most providers hand you credentials for, and its real strength is reach rather than refinement. It is the only app here covering iPhone, iPad and Apple TV alongside Android, Fire OS, Windows and macOS from a single codebase.

The interface is busier than TiviMate and the guide is less polished on a large screen. For a household mixing Apple and Android devices, though, it is the only genuine answer, and I keep it installed purely to test a new subscription quickly on an iPad.

Features

• Widest platform reach: The only player here covering iPhone, iPad and Apple TV alongside Android, Fire OS, Windows and macOS.
• Xtream Codes login: Accepts the standard credentials every service above issues, with no playlist file or manual configuration required.
• Multiple decoders: Ships with several playback engines, which helps when a provider serves an older stream format other players reject.
• Free to use: The core application costs nothing, adding no expense whatever to the subscription you have already paid for.
• Quick testing: Useful for checking a new subscription on a phone or tablet before committing the living-room television to setup.
• My take: The right answer for mixed Apple and Android households, and a clear step down from TiviMate on a television.

Pros

• Only player here covering the full Apple ecosystem
• Free with no licence purchase required at all
• Multiple decoders handle awkward stream formats
• Accepts Xtream Codes credentials directly
• Handy for testing a subscription on a tablet

Cons

• Guide is noticeably less refined than TiviMate
• Interface feels cluttered on a large television
• Channel management tools are comparatively basic

Pricing

Free core application across all platforms.

• Application Cost: Free on iOS, Android, Fire OS, Windows and macOS.
• Extras: No licence or unlock purchase is required for core playback.
• Link: https://www.iptvsmarters.com/

8) Kodi

Kodi is the most capable free option and the most demanding to set up. Its PVR IPTV Simple Client converts any M3U or Xtream Codes login into a complete guide with recording, and none of it is paywalled or tied to a commercial developer.

Expect to spend an evening configuring it rather than a few minutes, and read the PVR documentation before starting. What you get in return is something no commercial player offers: live channels, my own film library and music all in one interface, on almost every platform in common use.

Features

• Genuinely free: Open-source software maintained by a registered non-profit foundation, with no licence, subscription or unlock purchase anywhere at all.
• PVR client: The bundled IPTV Simple Client converts any M3U or Xtream Codes login into a complete guide with recording.
• Platform reach: Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Fire OS and Raspberry Pi, wider than any commercial player reviewed here.
• Local media: Handles your own films and music libraries alongside the live channels, which no dedicated IPTV player here attempts.
• Customisation: Skins and add-ons let you rebuild the interface completely, which helps considerably on older or slower streaming hardware.
• My take: Worth an evening of setup if you want something no vendor can withdraw, reprice or quietly discontinue later.

Pros

• Completely free with no commercial owner behind it
• Runs on almost every platform in common use
• Combines live channels with local media libraries
• Full recording through the bundled PVR client
• Highly customisable through skins and add-ons

Cons

• Setup takes an evening rather than a few minutes
• Guide quality depends heavily on provider data
• Default interface feels dated without a skin

Pricing

Free and open source with no paid tier.

• Software Cost: Free on every supported platform, permanently.
• Add-ons: The PVR IPTV Simple Client is bundled at no cost.
• Link: https://kodi.tv/

9) OTT Navigator

OTT Navigator is the enthusiast’s alternative to TiviMate on Android, offering deeper configuration than anything else on this list. Almost every element of the interface can be reshaped, and it handles archive and catch-up playback more flexibly than its better-known rival does.

That power comes with a considerably steeper learning curve, and the sheer number of available settings will overwhelm anyone who simply wants something that works out of the box. I would only recommend it to people who have already found TiviMate too restrictive, rather than as anyone’s first player.

Features

• Deep configuration: Almost every interface element can be reshaped, offering far more control than any other player reviewed on this page.
• Archive handling: Catch-up and archive playback are handled more flexibly than in TiviMate, which suits providers offering long rewind windows.
• Multiple playlists: Runs several providers at once with independent settings for each, useful for anyone juggling a main and backup subscription.
• Android focus: Built for Android TV and Android phones, with a remote-first layout that works properly on a television screen.
• Learning curve: The volume of available settings genuinely overwhelms new users, so budget an evening to configure it sensibly.
• My take: Choose this only after finding TiviMate too restrictive, never as a first IPTV player on any device.

Pros

• Most configurable IPTV player reviewed here
• Superior archive and catch-up handling
• Runs multiple providers with independent settings
• Proper remote-first layout on Android TV
• Free tier available before any purchase

Cons

• Steep learning curve for new users
• Android only, with no iOS or desktop build
• Settings volume overwhelms anyone wanting simplicity

Pricing

Free tier available; paid unlock sold separately.

• Free Version: Core playback and guide available at no cost.
• Paid Unlock: Premium features sold through the app; check official site for current pricing.
• Link: https://ottnavigator.com/

10) VLC

VLC is not a television interface and never claims to be. It has no programme guide, clumsy channel switching and no favourites list of any kind, which rules it out entirely as the app you would actually watch through on any given evening.

Keep it installed as a diagnostic instrument instead. When a stream fails in TiviMate or Smarters Pro, opening the same playlist here establishes within a minute whether the provider or the player is at fault, and that single test has saved me more wasted support tickets than anything else here.

Features

• Diagnostic value: Opening a failing stream here quickly establishes whether the fault sits with your provider or the player application.
• Statistics panel: Live bitrate and dropped-frame counters make it obvious whether buffering is a network problem or a provider one.
• Format coverage: Handles effectively every container and codec a provider might serve, including older formats other players simply refuse.
• Universal availability: Free on every desktop and mobile platform with nothing to register, license or renew at any point.
• Lightweight: Runs acceptably on ageing laptops and cheap boxes where heavier interfaces stutter badly or fail to launch entirely.
• My take: Install it purely to diagnose problems, and never as the player you actually watch television through every night.

Pros

• Fastest way to isolate a streaming fault
• Plays formats other players reject outright
• Statistics panel exposes real bitrate and frame drops
• Free, open source and available everywhere
• Runs well on old and low-powered hardware

Cons

• No electronic programme guide of any kind
• Channel switching is slow and awkward
• Not designed for remote-control television use

Pricing

Free and open source with no paid tier.

• Software Cost: Free on all desktop and mobile platforms.
• Extras: No premium version, licence or in-app purchase exists.
• Link: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/

How to Load a Playlist Into Any IPTV Player

Every player here accepts the same two credential formats, and knowing which one you have removes most setup confusion before it starts. Providers issue one or both, and the difference determines how much the app can do once connected.

• Xtream Codes: A username, password and server URL, which lets the app pull the guide and catch-up automatically.
• M3U playlist: A single long URL carrying the channel list, usually needing separate guide data added manually.
• Prefer Xtream: Where a provider offers both, use Xtream Codes, since it populates far more of the interface.
• Keep credentials safe: Anyone with your playlist URL can use your subscription, so treat it exactly like a password.

Our guide to TiviMate services covers which providers supply the cleaner Xtream Codes setup.

How to Choose the Right IPTV Player

Choosing a player is mostly a question of which devices you own, because platform support eliminates most of the field before features ever enter the conversation. Work out where you actually watch, then pick from whatever survives that filter rather than from a general ranking.

• Android and Fire TV: TiviMate wins outright, with OTT Navigator as the alternative for anyone wanting deeper configuration.
• Apple devices: IPTV Smarters Pro is effectively the only serious option, since TiviMate has no iOS build.
• Samsung and LG sets: Neither runs Android, so a native smart TV app or an external box is required.
• Desktop use: Kodi or VLC both work well, with Kodi the better choice if a guide matters.

Our roundup of IPTV apps covers what each player offers on other hardware in more detail.

Free vs Paid IPTV Players: What You Actually Get

The paid unlocks on this list are small one-off purchases rather than subscriptions, and they buy convenience rather than access. Nothing behind a paywall here affects which channels you can watch, only how comfortably you can organise and record them.

• Recording: The most common paid feature, and the one worth buying if your provider lacks catch-up.
• Multiple playlists: Running two providers at once is almost always a premium feature across every player here.
• Channel organisation: Free tiers usually limit how far you can reorder, hide or group a long channel list.
• Never channels: No player unlock has ever added a channel; that is entirely down to your subscription.

Test the free tier for a week before paying, since most people need less than they expect.

Matching a Player to Your Device and Remote

A player that feels excellent on a phone can be miserable on a television, because the input method changes everything. Directional remotes reward large targets and shallow menus, while touchscreens reward density, and very few apps genuinely handle both well.

• Remote-first apps: TiviMate and OTT Navigator assume a directional pad and stay comfortable from across a room.
• Touch-first apps: Smarters Pro carries a denser mobile layout that feels cluttered when shown on a large screen.
• Desktop use: Kodi handles a mouse and keyboard properly, which neither Android-focused player manages particularly well.
• Voice search: Rarely supported by any IPTV player, so expect to browse manually whatever hardware you own.

Try the free tier on the actual device before deciding, not on whichever screen is nearest.

Common IPTV Player Mistakes to Avoid

Most complaints blamed on a player turn out to belong to the subscription behind it, and the reverse happens just as often. Separating the two before contacting anyone’s support saves considerable time and usually identifies the real problem within minutes.

• Blaming the app first: Test the same playlist in VLC before assuming your player is the thing at fault.
• Ignoring buffer settings: Raising the buffer smooths brief network dips, and almost nobody changes it from the default.
• Paying before testing: Every player here has a free tier, so there is no reason to buy an unlock blind.
• Skipping favourites: A twenty-thousand-channel list is unusable until you build a favourites list properly.

Working through these four resolves the majority of problems people bring to provider support.

Final Verdict

The player matters, but it matters second. A well-chosen app makes a reliable subscription pleasant to live with, and it cannot rescue one whose servers fail at kick-off or whose guide never populates. Start by picking a service that suits your channels and your budget, test it during a trial at genuinely busy hours, then choose the player that fits the devices you actually own. Platform support will eliminate most of the field for you. My top three picks below cover each of those priorities in turn.

Top 3 Recommended IPTV Services and Players

• StreamingNordic IPTV: openly priced multi-screen plans and consistent behaviour in every player.
• ApolloTV: the largest combined live and on-demand catalogue reviewed here.
• Mangolia IPTV: tidiest on-demand library, paired with TiviMate for the best experience.

FAQs

What is the best IPTV player in 2026?

TiviMate remains the strongest option on Android and Fire TV, with the best guide and fastest channel switching. IPTV Smarters Pro is the only serious choice once Apple devices enter the household, since TiviMate has no iOS build.

Do IPTV players include channels?

No. Every player on this list is an empty shell until you add credentials from a subscription service. That is why the five services above are listed first, because the provider decides what you can actually watch.

Which IPTV player works on iPhone and Apple TV?

IPTV Smarters Pro is effectively the only mature option across iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. TiviMate and OTT Navigator are Android-only, and Kodi is available but considerably more awkward to configure on Apple hardware.

Is TiviMate free to use?

There is a free tier covering live playback and a basic guide, which is genuinely usable. Recording, multiple playlists and picture-in-picture sit behind a one-off premium unlock rather than a recurring monthly subscription charge.

Can I use one player across all my devices?

Only IPTV Smarters Pro and Kodi realistically cover both Apple and Android. Most households end up running TiviMate on the television and Smarters Pro on phones, which works fine using the same subscription credentials.

Why does my IPTV player keep buffering?

Test the same playlist in VLC first to establish whether the provider or the player is at fault. If both buffer, the issue is your network or the service rather than anything the application is doing.

Which IPTV player has the best programme guide?

TiviMate by a clear margin, both for layout and for how completely it populates. Guide quality still depends on the data your provider sends, so a poor service will look poor in any player you choose.

Should I use Xtream Codes or an M3U playlist?

Use Xtream Codes wherever your provider offers it. The username and password format lets the player pull guide data and catch-up automatically, while a plain M3U link usually requires adding the guide data separately yourself.

Do I need to pay for an IPTV player at all?

Not necessarily. Kodi and VLC are entirely free, and TiviMate’s free tier handles live viewing perfectly well. Paid unlocks buy recording and organisation features rather than any additional channels or any improvement in stream quality.