Streaming Sports Faces Challenges: Latency, Buffering, and Video Quality Issues.

A recent study by InterDigital and Parks Associates reveals that 57% of sports viewers face challenges like latency and buffering when streaming live sports. The number of US internet households with traditional pay TV services has dropped from 62% in 2020 to 42% in 2025. 40% of sports viewers under 35 watch sports on social media platforms, indicating a shift in media consumption. The study suggests that implementing more efficient video codecs like HEVC and H.266 (VVC) can enhance video quality and efficiency, especially for high-resolution content.

A recent study by InterDigital and Parks Associates highlights the growing trend of households shifting to streaming sports, while also facing technical challenges such as buffering and video quality issues. According to the report, 40% of sports viewers exclusively watch through digital platforms, with pure play streaming services contributing nearly 25% of the NFL's broadcast revenue [1]. However, over half of sports viewers experience technical issues, indicating a need for infrastructure improvement.

The study reveals that younger demographics, particularly those under 35, prefer social media for sports consumption and often face challenges related to video quality. Advanced video codecs like HEVC and H.266 (VVC) are suggested as solutions to enhance the viewing experience, which is crucial for engaging sports fans in interactive and immersive ways.

The number of US internet households with traditional pay TV services has dropped from 62% in 2020 to 42% in 2025, reflecting a significant shift in media consumption. Sports fans are among the most valuable viewers, spending an average of $88 per month on streaming services, compared to $64 per month by those who don't watch sports.

The study also notes that 40% of sports viewers under 35 watch sports on social media platforms, indicating a shift in how younger generations consume media. This trend is particularly significant for content providers and streaming platforms, as it opens new opportunities for engaging younger audiences.

However, the report also highlights the challenges faced by sports viewers, with 57% experiencing technical issues such as latency and buffering. This could harm the user experience and affect viewership. Younger viewers, especially those aged 18-24, are more likely to report poor video quality and insufficient bandwidth as common problems when streaming sports.

To address these challenges, the study suggests implementing more efficient video codecs like HEVC and H.266 (VVC). These codecs can enhance video quality and efficiency, especially for high-resolution content. HEVC, for instance, is well-suited for high-resolution content like 4K, where its compression efficiency helps reduce file sizes and improves bandwidth usage.

In conclusion, while the shift to streaming sports presents significant opportunities for content providers and streaming platforms, it also poses technical challenges that need to be addressed. Implementing advanced video codecs is a crucial step in enhancing the viewing experience and engaging sports fans, especially younger demographics.

References:
[1] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/interdigital-report-highlights-shift-streaming-sports-viewership-amid-technical-challenges