Millions of households in the UK are increasingly transitioning to online streaming services, moving away from traditional TV aerials or satellite dishes. Recent data from Sky reveals that their Glass TV and Stream Box, both broadband-powered devices, are dominating new sales. Additionally, the introduction of Freely, a new service offering live TV over the internet, has further diversified the streaming landscape.
The growing popularity of streaming platforms can be attributed to the vast array of content available, user-friendly interfaces, and straightforward DIY setup procedures. Despite the convenience, one common issue faced by viewers, particularly sports enthusiasts, is the noticeable delay in live broadcasts.
Streaming services like BBC iPlayer often exhibit delays of up to 30-40 seconds, which can significantly impact the viewing experience during live sports events. To address this concern, Sky has already implemented updates to reduce latency on their streaming devices, ensuring a more seamless viewing experience.
In a bid to match their competitor, the BBC has acknowledged the latency issue on iPlayer, stating that they are actively working on similar enhancements. The BBC aims to minimize delays while maintaining a high-quality viewing experience through their initiative on ‘low latency streaming.’
The BBC is currently in the developmental phase of these improvements and is inviting iPlayer users to participate in testing the new features before an official rollout. Users of 2nd and 3rd generation Amazon Fire TV Sticks, as well as owners of Samsung CU8000 and CU8500 TVs, can access the iPlayer Beta experience in their settings to enjoy reduced lag during streaming.
The initial trial will be conducted on BBC Two from 9 am to 5 pm for users who have enabled ‘iPlayer beta’ in their settings and set their location to England or Scotland. This trial aims to evaluate the performance of low latency streaming under real-world internet conditions, with plans to expand the trial based on performance feedback.
By introducing these improvements, the BBC seeks to enhance the overall streaming experience for viewers, ensuring smoother and more real-time access to live content.