The trend of streaming continues to gain momentum. With the rise of broadband, traditional methods of TV viewing, such as using aerial or dish connections, are becoming obsolete. Streaming offers a convenient way to access content directly on TVs, especially in areas where traditional connections are not available.
However, one challenge of internet-based viewing, particularly for live sports events, is latency. This delay can cause discrepancies between live streams and over-the-air signals, leading to viewers experiencing delays in receiving updates, like goals scored in a match.
Sky has already addressed this issue with their latest streaming devices, Sky Glass and Sky Stream, which now provide access to sports content with minimal delay compared to live action.
Following suit, the BBC has introduced a similar update to reduce latency for users of Fire TV Sticks, Sony TVs, and BT set-top boxes (including Sky Glass). This trial, which has been ongoing and recently extended, aims to enhance the viewing experience by minimizing delays in live content.
Melissa Darragh, Senior R&D Engineer at the BBC, explained that they are expanding their low latency streaming trial on the BBC iPlayer beta to assess performance in real-world conditions across various devices and networks.
The BBC hopes that this extension will offer users a more seamless experience when watching live events, including sports, breaking news, and concerts. They are encouraging more households to participate in the trial to gather feedback and improve the service further.
Users on supported devices can engage in the trial by switching to iPlayer Beta and watching BBC Two live during specific hours. The trial stream is expected to run for about a month, providing reduced delays without significant differences in viewing experience. Participants can revert to the conventional stream if they encounter any issues by opting out through the Settings menu.
The compatible devices for this low latency streaming trial include Fire TV Edition 4K 2022, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen), BT TV Box Pro, Sky Glass Gen 1, selected Bush TVs, Sony TVs, and Toshiba TVs.
This initiative reflects efforts by broadcasters to enhance the streaming experience and cater to the evolving preferences of viewers in the digital age.