A guide by INOVANEX
Video streaming server: the guide to going live in 2026
Video streaming server, live video hosting or live streaming service for TV: what to buy, how usage is measured, what it costs and how to switch without going dark. By the INOVANEX team, streaming for TV channels and radio stations since 2003.
Updated October 29, 2026 · Prices in US dollars, no VAT added
The minimum you need to know
- 1Check the unit: concurrent viewers, bandwidth or viewer hours. For 24/7, per-GB billing adds up fast.
- 2Resolution means nothing without bitrate. 1080p at 1.5 Mbps looks worse than 720p at 2.5.
- 3Never a black screen: ask what viewers see when your encoder drops.
- 4RTMP and SRT ingest, so outside broadcasts on 4G stay stable.
- 5Your player, your brand: no provider ads and no other channels next to your live stream.
Where to start
The complete guide
How a video streaming server works, resolution and bitrate, viewers and bandwidth, ingest, HLS and latency, 24/7 channels and the 12 questions to ask.
Read →Compare providers
International live video providers side by side, month to month, from their own pricing pages, with the date read.
Read →Bandwidth calculator
Concurrent viewers × bitrate → peak bandwidth, monthly terabytes, viewer hours and a suggested plan.
Read →Channel app
A native app under your brand for phones and TV sets: what it needs, who publishes it and what it costs.
Read →Switch without going dark
Move a live channel to a new provider without a black screen: dual output, player, apps, simulcast and cut-over.
Read →Visual radio
For radio stations adding a studio camera: what it takes, which quality is enough and how it sits next to the audio stream.
Read →What live video streaming costs
This guide's reference prices are INOVANEX's, in US dollars with no VAT added (export of services), from its public catalog on October 29, 2026. For other providers, see the comparison, where every figure has its source and date.
Basic
250 concurrent viewers · 720p at 2 Mbps
US$ 18.48 /month
no VAT added (export of services)
See it on INOVANEX →Plus
750 concurrent viewers · 1080p at 3.5 Mbps
US$ 26.88 /month
no VAT added (export of services)
See it on INOVANEX →Premium
2,000 concurrent viewers · 1080p at 4.5 Mbps
US$ 45.85 /month
no VAT added (export of services)
See it on INOVANEX →Multimedia
5,000 concurrent viewers · 1080p60 at 5 Mbps
US$ 53.55 /month
no VAT added (export of services)
See it on INOVANEX →All plans include: 24/7 live channel, unlimited transfer (no per-GB charges), automatic slate (never a black screen), white-label HTML5 player with SSL, RTMP and SRT ingest and a program guide. DVR, multi-bitrate, video AutoDJ and simulcast to social platforms are add-ons. Prices as of October 29, 2026.
What INOVANEX clients say
“A great range of options for companies that want to solve hosting, web design, apps and audio and video streaming with a single provider. INOVANEX is all in one.”
“Excellent streaming service, the most complete panel for radio, video and apps. Recommended.”
“They offer excellent technical support. Having advice when you need it is essential. A stable service that works!”
Public client reviews, translated from Spanish, published on Trustpilot (4.8 out of 5, 81 reviews) and Google Maps.
Quick questions
What is a video streaming server?
It is the service that receives your channel's live signal (sent from the studio by an encoder such as OBS or a hardware unit), prepares it for viewers and delivers it over the internet to many people at once through a network of servers. Viewers watch it on your website, in your app, on smart TVs or on phones.
How much does live video streaming cost?
It depends on viewers, quality and how the provider measures usage. INOVANEX's plan for 250 concurrent viewers at 720p costs US$ 18.48 a month (US$ 0.62 a day), with unlimited transfer and no VAT added. Providers that bill per GB or per viewer hour can cost far more for a 24/7 channel: compare with the same unit.
Can I stream a 24/7 channel?
Yes, but check that the plan allows continuous streaming (some cap streaming hours) and what viewers see when your signal drops. A server with an automatic slate or video AutoDJ never shows a black screen.
Do I need YouTube or Facebook?
They are useful as a shop window, and a server with simulcast can send your signal there too. Your main channel works better on your own player and app, where there are no third-party ads or other channels next to yours, and the audience data is yours.