YouTube TV slammed for airing NBA Finals in 720p but it's ABC/ESPN to blame; viewers demand 4K quality

The NBA Finals, one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year, kicked off on June 1, 2023, to much excitement from basketball fans worldwide.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led Denver Nuggets to victory over Miami Heat in Game 1 which makes things interesting to say the least.

However, viewers are angry and disappointed with YouTube TV and NBA Finals on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit (1,2,3,4,5,6).

YouTube TV found itself under fire as viewers expressed their frustration with the low-quality 720p resolution in which the game was being aired.

One user sarcastically refers to the resolution as ‘glorious low res’, suggesting that the viewing experience is far from satisfactory.

Other users have also complained about the stuttering and pixelation issues plaguing the stream, which hinder the enjoyment of the game.

Buffering issues also seem to be a common complaint as viewers pointed out frequent interruptions during the stream. Some even suggested that the NBA Finals need an upgrade to keep up with the demands of modern viewers.

I’m paying for 4K, and the highest quality to choose from is 720p. Straight garbage from #YouTubeTV and they have the nerve to tell customers to check if it’s their own problem. Cancel your subscription after the #NBAFinals
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@YouTubeTV why is the @NBA finals not available in 4K? How is the 4K addition worth the cost, when there is hardly anything ever on it?
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Viewers highlighted their high-end devices and televisions, implying that they expect better quality and service, especially in 2023 when 4K resolution has become more common and accessible.

According to YouTube support, the quality you get on YouTube TV depends on their partners (source of the streams), who in this case are ABC and ESPN who only provide the NBA Finals live stream in 720p quality.

They are the ones that need to up the quality, so this has little to do with YouTube TV.

While YouTube TV may have successfully passed the blame to its streaming partners, fans are still left disappointed by the lackluster resolution.

In an era where 4K resolution has become increasingly common and expected, the choice to broadcast a major sporting event like the NBA Finals in 720p seems like a missed opportunity by YouTube TV.

As the NBA Finals continue over the next week or so, it remains to be seen whether any improvements will be made to the streaming quality.

Regardless, this incident has sparked a broader conversation about the importance of delivering live events in the highest possible resolution to meet the expectations of modern viewers.

Note: There are more such stories in our dedicated YouTube Section so be sure to follow them as well.

Featured Image: YouTube TV

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