The number of screens is the choice that changes your price the most, and the one people most often get wrong. Too few screens and someone is told to stop watching. Too many and you pay for capacity you never use. This guide shows how to count, what each option costs, and what your internet needs to handle the number you pick.
What a “screen” means
A screen is one device streaming at the same time. A phone counts. A tablet counts. A TV in the bedroom counts. A device that is switched off, or that is not streaming, does not use a screen. So the number to count is the largest number of people who usually watch together, not the number of devices in the house.
Count the screens that watch together
- Living alone: usually 1 screen.
- A couple: 2 screens, so you can watch different things in the evening.
- A family with kids: 3 screens covers the lounge, a bedroom and a tablet.
- A big family or a share house: 4 or 5 screens.
What each option costs
| Plan size | 3 months | 12 months | Per month, 12-month plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 screen | A$50 | A$100 | A$8.33 |
| 2 screens | A$72 | A$173 | A$14.42 |
| 3 screens | A$83 | A$209 | A$17.42 |
| 4 screens | A$94 | A$245 | A$20.42 |
| 5 screens | A$105 | A$281 | A$23.42 |
The more screens you add, the lower the cost of each one. On the 12-month plan, one screen costs about A$8.33 a month, while each screen on a five-screen plan costs about A$4.68. See every option on the pricing page.
Three examples
- A single viewer on one TV: 1 screen, A$100 for 12 months.
- A couple watching different things in the evening: 2 screens, A$173 for 12 months.
- A family of four with kids and a tablet: 4 screens, A$245 for 12 months.
Check your internet too
More screens need more speed. About 25 Mbps for each 4K screen, or 10 Mbps for each HD screen, is a good rule. A household with three 4K screens needs roughly 75 Mbps for IPTV alone, so NBN 100 or faster. Our NBN speed guide shows how to match plan size to your connection, and ten buffering fixes helps if the picture stops.
Should you start small or large?
If this is your first IPTV plan, start with a 3-month plan on the number of screens you expect to use most nights. If you already know you like it, the 12-month plan costs less per month. Plans do not renew by themselves, so you decide when to order again. Compare options against what pay TV costs in IPTV vs pay TV in Australia.
When to add more screens
If someone says the picture stopped because “someone else is watching”, you have more viewers than screens. Message us on WhatsApp with your current plan and how many screens you want, and we will explain the options and the price.
How to avoid running out on game night
Game night is when the whole household watches at once. If you plan to host, count the screens you will really use, such as the lounge, the patio and a phone, and test the day before. IPTV for sport in Australia has a checklist.
How screens count in real life
People often ask about the odd cases. Here is how to think about them.
- A child starts a second show. Each stream is a screen. Two children watching two shows uses two screens, even if they are in the same room.
- A TV left on in another room. A TV that is streaming counts, even if nobody is watching it. Turn it off, or close the player.
- A paused stream. A paused stream may still be signed in. If you are not sure, ask us on WhatsApp.
- A phone on mobile data. It counts as a screen, and it uses data. Use Wi-Fi where you can.
- The same device in two apps. Open one player at a time to avoid using two screens by accident.
What to do if you hit the limit
If a stream stops because too many screens are in use, switch off the ones you are not watching, and then restart the player. If it happens every evening, you need another screen. Message us with your current plan and we will explain how to add one. Compare the costs on the pricing page, and read how IPTV compares with pay TV for the bigger picture.
Questions people ask
Do phones count as screens?
Yes. Any device streaming at the same time counts as a screen.
Does a paused screen count?
A screen counts while it is signed in and streaming. If you are unsure, ask us on WhatsApp.
Is it cheaper to buy two separate plans?
Usually not. A plan with more screens costs less per screen than separate single-screen plans.
Can I use the same login on several devices?
Yes, as long as the number of screens watching at once stays within your plan.
Which plan length is best?
Start with 3 months if you are new. The 12-month plan costs less per month, and the 2-year plan costs less again.
Can I upgrade later?
Ask us on WhatsApp. Tell us your current plan and how many screens you want.
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