Match of the D(el)ay: almost half of Brits report sports spoilers from neighbours or phone due to broadband lag
Five million Brits are at risk of TV live-lag - when a key moment of a match or sporting event is given away before it’s seen on screen - during the Euros[1]
45% of UK adults say they have had a key moment in a sporting event or game spoiled by another screen or news alert due to broadband “lag”[2] Sports, news or betting apps (21%) and neighbours’ cheers (10%)[3] are some of the biggest culprits
More than one in ten (12%) young Brits are even muting group chats to avoid the risk of spoilers[4] - including football fan, Shem Hamilton-Laing (aged 25), who says spoilers are the one thing that would ruin the game for him
Streaming delays voted “most embarrassing” issue when hosting a sports watching party, ahead of dirty floors or running out of drinks[5]
Uswitch broadband expert Sabrina Hoque shares tips on how to go spoiler-free this summer of sports and avoid broadband lag or streaming delays
Ahead of the start of the summer of sports, Brits are being warned to mute their group chats if they are using digital streaming services to avoid live-lag spoiling key sporting moments.
New data from Uswitch, the comparison and switching service, shows that almost half (45%)[2] of Brits have had a key sporting moment spoiled during a live event because of delays or “lag” on the stream they are viewing on.
The European football championship kicking off on Friday is Britain’s most-anticipated sporting event of the summer for more than a quarter (26%) of Brits[1]. Of this group, more than one third (37%), the equivalent of five million people[1], are at risk of TV live-lag spoiling a sporting moment, as they tune in to watch the football via delay-prone smart TV’s.
When watching a live broadcast via a smart TV or digital services such as Sky Go, ITVX or All4, images are broadcast as much as 45 seconds later compared with satellite or terrestrial TV options[8].
Shem Hamilton-Laing, 25, a Business Development Representative and football fan from Tooting, London, is desperate to avoid sports spoilers this summer, and says, “There are so many sports I’m looking forward to watching this summer, but the one thing that would ruin the experience for me is if a goal or big event like a red card was spoiled for me when watching live – that’s why I mute all my WhatsApp conversations during big sports games.
“This is one of the rare events when I deliberately don’t have my phone in my hands when watching as I don’t want to risk any spoilers!”
Phone notifications (31%) and noisy neighbours’ cheers (10%) are the main culprits for spoiling sports scores, with social media (10%) and noisy pub-goers (9%) also responsible for spoilers[6].
Split opinions and generational divides
Spoilers appear to split opinion among generations. While one in four (25%) Brits overall say that a spoiler “ruins the experience” for them, a quarter (24%) of young Brits reported spoilers make them ‘less anxious’ about a game, in comparison to just one in ten (11%) of those aged 55+[7].
For those who hate spoilers, the younger generation appears to have less patience, with more than one in ten (12%) 18-34 year olds admitting they would leave or mute group chats during a big game or match to avoid spoilers. Comparatively, only 7% of over 55s would do the same[4].
Hannah Wright, 31, a support worker from Sheffield, goes one step further when it comes to skipping spoilers and says, “My friends and I have a 45-second rule for our group sports WhatsApp – we have to wait at least 45 seconds after a goal or big event like a red card before we message each other to ensure everyone else has definitely seen it as we couldn’t bear to spoil the matches for each other.”
In contrast, Kanti Patel, 71, a retired IT manager from Marlow, Buckinghamshire says he wouldn’t be without his WhatsApp group while watching a sports event: “For me, a group chat is a great addition to watching football. We get 'Gogglebox’-like comments throughout the game and it really adds to the experience. It feels like you're not watching alone - even when you're miles apart.”
Around the world in (about) five seconds
If you want to avoid this delay, a simple fix is to watch the games on BBC or ITV via an aerial cable, connected to the wall. While no broadcast can ever be truly “instant”, each option to view has its own slight delay compared with the live event.
This data also shows that the biggest “banana skin” during the tournament isn’t an unfavoured football team, but a bad connection: Brits reported that the most embarrassing thing that could happen when they are hosting is losing their connection to a stream (29%). This comes ahead of traditional house-proud values like a messy home (21%), and running out of drinks (11%)[5].
Sabrina Hoque, broadband expert at Uswitch.com comments:: “For many, the beauty in live sport is the suspense.
“While there are a number of excellent digital streaming services, even with the fastest broadband connection and a great streaming provider you’re still going to be a little bit behind the live action, and susceptible to dreaded live-lag.
“If you’re somebody who wants to avoid spoilers at all costs, then using a cable TV connection may be the best option for you, as it will come with the minimum live-lag time. Though at present Virgin Media is the only provider offering this in the UK.
“While spoilers from group chats are often seen as a nuisance, opinions are still divided - with some who prefer to know what’s coming and enjoy the sense of shared experience, and others who would leave a group to avoid a spoiler.
“Whichever camp you’re in, it’s worth making sure your connection is ready for any games you’re planning to watch. If other people in the home are also streaming at the same time, the quality will drop. It’s also worth ensuring that the router set-up correctly and there are no large items blocking the signal.
“To stream in HD or above, you will generally need a broadband connection offering at least 25mbps download speeds to avoid buffering. You may also find that plugging an ethernet cable directly into the router will allow for a smoother streaming experience and better connection.
“If you’re unsure what your broadband speeds are, Uswitch has a speed test tool to help.”
Uswitch’s simple tips to avoid accidental sports spoilers when streaming live events:
Mute all app notifications and group chats – you don’t want a sports app or a friend celebrating a goal before you even know about it!
Don’t scroll on social media while watching (unless you are deliberately seeking out spoilers)
If it’s an especially big game and you do live in close proximity to neighbours, consider closing all your windows so you don’t hear your neighbours either grumble or cheer.
If others are streaming or using the internet for other things in your home, this also has the potential to slow down your connection. Disconnect any unnecessary devices that may be using the internet and plan ahead!
Check your router is working properly. Large items of furniture, such as sofa’s which might have been moved from their usual position to accommodate guests for a sports event hosting party can have an affect on your connection quality.
You’ll also want to minimise ‘casting’ where possible. This is when one device, such as a laptop connects or transmits the streamed footage to your TV. This can result in further live-lag.
Check out the latest broadband deals at Uswitch.com
ENDS
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Harriet Atkinson
Phone: 07824 181 812
Email: harriet.atkinson@uswitch.com
Twitter: @UswitchPR
Notes to Editor
1. Opinium surveyed a sample of 2,000 UK adults from 31st May 2024 – 4th June 2024. Respondents were asked “Which, if any, of the following is your most anticipated sports event of the summer?” 26% of respondents selected “Men’s Euros 2024”. 26% of the UK population (53,646,829) is 13,948,176. Respondents were asked “How, if at all, are you planning to watch / follow live sport matches this summer? Please select all that apply.” 37% of respondents selected “Streaming on a smart TV”. 36% of 13,948,176 is 5,021,343.
2. Respondents were asked: “When watching live football matches or other live sporting events, have you had a goal / score /result spoiled due to the broadcast you were watching having a delay over the live action? Please select all that apply.” 45% of respondents selected “Yes”.
3. Respondents were asked “When watching live football matches or other live sporting events, have you had a goal / score /result spoiled due to the broadcast you were watching having a delay over the live action? Please select all that apply.” 11% of respondents selected “Yes - received an alert from a sports app (including betting apps) on my phone before I saw it happen”, 10% of respondents selected “Yes - received an alert from a news/sports website on my phone before I saw it happen”, 10% of respondents selected “Yes - heard neighbours celebrate it before I saw it happen”
4. Respondents were asked “Which, if any, of the following are true to you about messaging during live sporting events? Please select all that apply.” 12% of respondents selected “I mute, ignore or leave group chats during a big game or match”. 17% of 18-34 year old respondents and 7% of 55+ respondents selected “I mute, ignore or leave group chats during a big game or match”.
5. Respondents were asked “When hosting a group viewing of a live sporting event, which would you say is the most embarrassing issue you could have? Please select one answer.” 29% of respondents selected “Losing connection / buffering or lag to the broadcast or stream”, 21% of respondents selected “a dirty house”, 11% of respondents selected “running out of drinks”.
6. Respondents were asked “When watching live football matches or other live sporting events, have you had a goal / score /result spoiled due to the broadcast you were watching having a delay over the live action? Please select all that apply.” 11% of respondents selected “Yes - received an alert from a sports app (including betting apps) on my phone before I saw it happen”, 10% of respondents selected “Yes - received an alert from a news/sports website on my phone before I saw it happen”, 10% of respondents selected “Yes – received a message from family/friends before I saw it happen”, 10% of respondents selected “Yes – saw it on a social media platform before I saw it happen”, 9% of respondents selected “Yes - heard people at a pub celebrate it before I saw it on the screen I was watching”.
7. Respondents were asked “Which, if any, of the below sentences describe your experience of receiving a “spoiler” during a sporting event? Please select all that apply.” 25% of respondents selected “Getting a spoiler due to a streaming delay ruins the experience for me”. 24% of 18-34 year old respondents selected “Knowing what is going to happen in advance makes me less anxious about the game I am watching”, 11% of 55+ respondents selected “Knowing what is going to happen in advance makes me less anxious about the game I am watching”.
8. Wowza: What Is Low Latency and Who Needs It?. When watching a live broadcast via a smart TV or digital services such as Sky Go, ITVX or All4, images are broadcast as much as 45 seconds later compared with satellite or terrestrial TV options. This delay isn’t usually caused by your broadband connection but is due to the signal’s long journey from the event to a satellite, where the signal is encoded and sent across the globe, before being decoded and re-sent to your streaming service.
9. Radioandtelly.co.uk: Digital Time Lag, Time signals and Delays on TV and Radio
10. Limelight Networks: Sub-Second Latency Streaming & Live Viewer Interactivity Changing the Video Landscape
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