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YouTube has 4K videos, but YouTube TV doesn't offer 4K streaming — here's what you need to know

Written by Steven John
youtube tv app
YouTube TV doesn't have 4K capabilities, but YouTube does have some 4K content. Shutterstock
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Here's the thing — with a few exceptions, even the tip-top quality videos on YouTube are only going to be 1080p resolution, especially considering the millions of videos uploaded using phones or cheap amateur cameras.

And YouTube TV, YouTube's premium subscription service for shows, movies, and live events, does not currently offer 4K streaming. 

However, if you want to stream movies, shows, or videos on your TV, luckily some content on YouTube is available in 4K. 

YouTube TV doesn't have 4K streaming — here's how you can find 4K content on YouTube

The easiest way to find 4K content on YouTube is to simply add the term "4K" to your search terms. However, you should note that not all content labeled as "4K" is necessarily 4K-quality. 

Does YouTube TV have 4k
The standard video format for YouTube is 1080p, which looks great on a computer monitor as well as most TVs.  Steven John/Business Insider

You can also find some 4K content available on YouTube for an extra fee. YouTube offers a library of movies and shows that you can rent and stream in 4K UHD resolution that will look amazing even on the largest of TVs. These include many recent movies, as well as classic titles.

Does YouTube TV have 4k
The standard video format for YouTube is 1080p, which looks great on a computer monitor as well as most TVs.  Steven John/Business Insider

And if you're looking for 4K streaming content, try Hulu, Netflix or Prime Video.

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Steven John
Steven John has been a freelance writer for more than a dozen years and has been a regular contributor to Business Insider since 2017. His work includes a focus on the tech world, covering companies including Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and others. He also reviews restaurants, shares how-to cooking articles, and writes general interest pieces.Steven also writes for publications including Architectural Digest, The Daily Beast, Forbes, and more. In the past, he also wrote for New York Magazine, Mashed, U.S. News & World Report and other outlets. He runs his own outdoor lifestyle site, Dad Gear Review, and co-hosts the Fact Trekkers podcast with his son. He has had two novels published, Three A.M. and Outrider. He graduated from Emerson College with a degree in communications focused on filmmaking.He is an avid outdoorsman and can be frequently found in a kayak or on a mountain trail, often with his family along for the adventure.Expertise:Tech industryTech hardwareOutdoorsCookingRestaurantsDIYPopular articles:Microsoft: A history of the software giant co-founded by Bill Gates, its products and services, jobs, layoffs, and moreYouTube is a major entertainment force. Here's the platform's history, plus how to create a channel and upload videos.Inside the life and career of Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, billionaire, and philanthropistTim Cook net worth: How the Apple leader earns and spends his moneyBecoming an Amazon seller is a simple process. Here's what's involved, plus how you make money and get paid.