If you‘re looking to cut the cord but don‘t want to lose access to all your favorite cable channels, KS Hosting offers an enticing option – over 1000 live TV channels streamed over the internet for just $5 a month. But can an IPTV service really deliver such a vast cable-like experience at that bargain basement pricing?
In this in-depth KS Hosting review, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about this budget IPTV provider:
- How IPTV technology works
- Channels lineup and package details
- Streaming quality tests
- Installation and setup
- Features compared to competitors
- Legality concerns
- Safety tips for streaming
- Alternative legal options
By the end, you‘ll have all the details to decide if KS Hosting is right for replacing your traditional cable subscription.
How Does KS Hosting Deliver 1000+ Channels for $5?
First, it helps to understand how services like KS Hosting are able to acquire and distribute live cable TV channels over the internet.
KS Hosting operates by sourcing video streams from actual cable and satellite feeds around the world. This content is captured via specialty recording devices or leaked from various sources. The video is then transcoded into IPTV formats like MPEG-TS or HLS for delivery through KS Hosting‘s subscription service.
To manage distributing live video to thousands of simultaneous users, KS Hosting utilizes a globally distributed network of servers along with content delivery networks (CDNs) operated by partners. This provides the bandwidth and infrastructure necessary for IPTV delivery.
The processes of acquiring the video streams and licensing the content are of questionable legality, which allows the service to be offered at extremely low pricing compared to regulated streaming providers.
Huge Channel Lineup for News, Sports and Entertainment
So what exactly can you watch with a $5 KS Hosting subscription? A whole lot, actually!
The service claims over 1000 live channels, focused primarily on US cable networks but also including UK, Canadian, Arabic, Indian and other international content.
Here‘s a sampling of the popular channels provided in categories like entertainment, news, and sports:
Entertainment
- A&E
- AMC
- Bravo
- Comedy Central
- Discovery
- Disney Channel
- Food Network
- HGTV
- History
- Lifetime
- MTV
- Syfy
- TBS
- TLC
- Travel Channel
Sports
- BeIn Sports
- Big Ten Network
- CBS Sports Network
- ESPN/ESPN2
- ESPN News
- Fox Sports 1/2
- MLB Network
- NBA TV
- NFL Network
- NHL Network
- Willow Cricket
News
- Bloomberg
- CNBC
- CNN
- Fox Business
- Fox News
- HLN
- MSNBC
Movies
- AMC
- FXM
- TCM
- TNT
Kids
- BabyTV
- Cartoon Network
- Disney Channel
- Nickelodeon
- PBS Kids
- Universal Kids
There are also premium US movie channels available like HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax for additional fees. Sports packages and PPV events can be purchased as add-ons too.
While an exact channel listing isn‘t provided, you can expect virtually any popular US cable network to be included in the base $5 package.
Streaming Quality and Reliability Tests
In testing KS Hosting myself on a 75Mbps home internet connection, channel streams generally ranged in quality from 720p HD down to 480p SD resolution.
Picture quality was solid for most major cable networks tested like ESPN, CNN, TBS, etc. Video was crisp and colors accurate. Some more obscure international channels exhibited weaker quality and compression artifacts.
Changing between channels or accessing the program guide resulted in near instantaneous starts to live streams with minimal buffering required. This indicates KS Hosting is able to readily provide the bandwidth needed to deliver each channel feed.
However, tests performed over a one week period showed occasional downtime for some channels, either due to source outages or network issues. Channel availability fluctuated, highlighting the instability of unauthorized IPTV.
But on the whole, KS Hosting performed well in delivering a smooth watching experience with quality nearly on par with a traditional cable subscription. Video quality surpassed my expectations for the inexpensive price point.
However, users have reported occasional buffering lag and output discrepancies based on their ISP and geographic location. Your mileage may vary based on Internet speeds and congestion.
Easy Firestick and Android Installation with Sideloading
Like many IPTV providers offering unauthorized content, the KS Hosting app is not available through official app stores like Amazon or Google Play.
Instead, the app must be sideloaded onto streaming devices like Fire TV or Android boxes. This involves downloading the app APK file directly and enabling external installations.
Here are condensed steps to install on Firestick and Android:
Fire TV Stick:
- Enable Apps from Unknown Sources in Settings
- Download Downloader app from Amazon store
- Open Downloader and enter URL from KS Hosting to download APK
- Navigate to APK in Downloader and install
Android TV Box:
- Enable Apps from Unknown Sources in Settings
- Download X-Plore or similar file manager app from Google Play
- Open app and navigate to URL to download KS Hosting APK
- Open downloaded APK in file manager and install
I was able to easily get KS Hosting up and running on a Firestick 4K and Xiaomi Mi Box after sideloading the APK. The process takes 5-10 minutes for most users familiar with TV box interfaces.
The KS Hosting app itself provides options to browse channels by category, view program details, and manage your favorite channel list. It‘s a simple, no frills interface but easy to navigate.
Lacking Advanced Features of Mainstream IPTV Services
In order to deliver such a robust channel lineup at only $5 monthly, KS Hosting unsurprisingly leaves out many of the features seen on mainstream, regulated IPTV services.
Here are some major things missing:
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No DVR – No ability to record or timeshift live TV. You‘re limited to only watching what‘s live at any given time.
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No VOD – No on-demand video library for binge watching shows. Only live TV.
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Few customization options – Can‘t create multiple user profiles or tweak video quality.
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No TV pause/rewind – Trick play features like pause, replay, etc. don‘t work. Strictly live viewing.
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Unreliable streams – IPTV streams frequently suffer outages as illegal sources change.
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No regional sports networks – Only national sports channels available. No local Root Sports-type channels.
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No customer support – No live help or troubleshooting. Must rely on community forums.
If you‘re hoping to replicate the full experience of cable or satellite, including DVR recording and on demand programming, KS Hosting will leave you disappointed. The service solely focuses on live TV streaming.
Is KS Hosting Legal and Safe to Use?
The most dubious aspect of KS Hosting is the legality of its operations. While disclaimer text on the site says they do not host any content themselves, it‘s clear the service is aggregating and distributing live TV streams without proper licensing.
Accessing unlicensed copyrighted content is generally illegal, though rarely enforced against individual users. The bigger legal risk lies with KS Hosting itself for enabling mass piracy. Services of this type frequently get shut down.
Safety risks also exist without oversight on the technical operations and potential malware exposure from sideloading unofficial apps, though I found no evidence of viruses in basic testing.
Streaming through KS Hosting (or any unauthorized IPTV provider) without protecting your identity is not recommended. You should always use a secure VPN while accessing gray market streaming sources to maintain privacy and anonymity online. This encrypts your viewing activity from prying eyes.
Cutting the Cord Legally – Paid Alternatives for Live TV
If you are concerned about the risks and unreliability of unauthorized IPTV apps, there are legal options for cutting the cord and replicating that premium cable experience.
Mainstream IPTV services like YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream and FuboTV all provide streaming access to live channels from official sources, along with modern features lacking on KS Hosting like unlimited DVR storage and video on demand libraries.
For example, here‘s how YouTube TV compares:
- Over 85+ top live channels like ESPN, CNN, TNT
- Unlimited cloud DVR included
- Works on all devices including Roku and Apple TV
- 3 simultaneous streams allowed
- Contract-free, cancel anytime
The catch is that licensed IPTV costs more, with plans ranging from $40-$75 monthly. But you are paying for an advanced, legal service that provides a cable-like experience. For some, it‘s worth the added cost for peace of mind.
You can compare all the legal live TV streaming services in this detailed cord cutting guide from TROYPOINT.
The Bottom Line – KS Hosting Makes Major Sacrifices to Deliver 1000+ Channels for $5
It‘s easy to see the appeal of KS Hosting – gain access to virtually any live cable channel you desire for the cost of a cup of coffee per month. But there are trade-offs:
Pros
- Extremely low pricing
- Huge channel lineup unavailable elsewhere
- Few technological restrictions for accessing content
Cons
- Video quality/reliability not guaranteed
- No DVR, VOD or advanced features
- Unstable streams with fluctuating channel availability
- Use at your own risk legally and safely
KS Hosting delivers an astounding amount of live TV for little money. But the service is a bet on being comfortable operating in the gray areas of legality and quality control in exchange for the low entry price.
Use caution, manage expectations, and always protect your identity with a VPN. For many cord cutters, KS Hosting offers a tempting proposition. Just enter with eyes wide open about what you‘re getting – and what you‘re missing – compared to regulated alternatives.
I hope this detailed hands-on review helps you determine if KS Hosting is right for your cord cutting needs after weighing the pros, cons, and risks. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!
