People type "iptv is it real" because the ads make it sound like vaporware. It is real. IPTV means Internet Protocol television: video delivered over an IP network instead of a cable headend or a satellite dish. Wikipedia's IPTV article describes the same model carriers have used for years, with a set-top box or app pulling streams from a managed network.
What confuses people is the split between legitimate and gray services. A telco IPTV package is a normal subscription. You pay, you get an app or box, and the channels come from licensed providers. A random seller with a "full package for $10 a month" is a different product. That second group often rebroadcasts content without rights. The streams can work for a while, then die when the source gets taken down.
If you want a quick sanity check before you pay anyone, look for three things. First, a clear company name and a way to cancel. Second, a device list that matches what you already own (Fire Stick, Android TV, smart TV). Third, a short trial that actually plays live channels and catch-up, not a slideshow of logos. I keep notes on trial checks and app settings in this setup walkthrough when I compare providers.
Technical side is boring but useful. A solid IPTV feed uses unicast or multicast over broadband. Buffering usually points at your Wi-Fi, a weak DNS, or a server far from your region. Wired Ethernet or a 5 GHz link fixes half the freezes. Official docs on consumer video delivery (FCC consumer guides on cable, satellite, and internet video) still treat IP delivery as a normal distribution path, not a gimmick.
So yes, IPTV is real technology. The open question is which seller is licensed for the channels you care about. Treat the cheap full-package pitch the way you treat any unsolicited deal: verify the provider, test the stream quality for a few days, and keep a backup option if a playlist drops overnight.