If you love following the biggest competitions and fixtures from professional sports, you’ve already noticed the rise of live-streaming. Technology has impacted and helped improve almost every aspect of our daily lives, from medical care to online shopping and even education. It was only a matter of time before tech entered the professional sports industry, revolutionizing the rules, officiating, the crowd, and how we watch games. Television broadcasting is no longer the only show in town.
Today, you can watch sports competitions like the NFL, NBA, UFC, and English Premier League from the venue. If you can’t snag a ticket online, the next best option is to follow the live TV coverage at home or a sports bar. Get up close to the play, enjoy the expert commentary and analysis, keep updated with the latest stats, and follow scores from other games playing at the same time. It’s almost as good as attending the match, and you can create a special atmosphere by inviting friends, family, and fellow supporters by hosting a watch party.
What if you won’t be at home during the game? Suppose you have work or family commitments and will be on the move during the fixture. In the past, that would’ve resulted in you missing the game, but that’s no longer true. Live-streaming apps provided by TV broadcasters and the best online betting sites mean you can watch the game from anywhere in the country. All you need is available data or a secure Wi-Fi connection and your Android or iOS smartphone. The future has landed.
What’s covered
Live sports streaming is exciting, and we can’t wait to get into the thick of this article. But what can you expect to find on this page? Our content writing team is experts in all things related to technology, but we’re also huge on sports and using tech to predict results. We decided to pull our resources together and demonstrate the rise of live streaming from an interesting footnote in the gambling industry, covering esports and other niche markets, to the preferred choice for millions of sports fans and viewers.
Live-streaming may seem like the new kid on the block, and you may think it needs more experience, but that’s incorrect. Streaming professional sports has been popular for many years, but it finally came to the fore in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. When many sports fixtures were behind closed doors, teams used the latest tech to attract customers, charging for access to their live-streaming events and covering training sessions, interviews, and games. It kept many smaller times in business during the darkest days of lockdown.
In its earliest form, live-streaming of soccer, tennis, and other sports could have been better. Games were often on illegal streams with foreign commentary, outdated stats, and full of interruptions. Live feeds would buffer for minutes or go dark and re-set with the link, then not work when you tried to revisit the live feed. How has it changed, and why are millions now choosing to livestream sports? Let’s find out.
Early 2000s
The first steps towards live sports streaming were taken in the early 2000s, driven by the increasing accessibility of high-speed internet. The limitations of traditional broadcasting were evident, and a new wave of platforms emerged to experiment with digital streaming.
Companies like ESPN and MLB Advanced Media started offering live-streaming services for selected events, providing viewers with an alternative to cable television.
However, the quality and reliability of early streaming services could have been more consistent due to technological constraints. Buffering issues, low-resolution video, and unreliable connections hindered the widespread adoption of live sports streaming during this period.
Mid-2000s
As broadband internet became more commonplace, platforms like YouTube played a pivotal role in democratizing content creation and distribution. While not initially focused on live events, YouTube allowed users to upload and share videos, making it easier for sports enthusiasts to access highlights, interviews, and fan-generated content.
Additionally, sports leagues and broadcasters began experimenting with YouTube to reach a broader audience. While live streaming was still in its infancy, the emergence of user-generated content laid the groundwork for the idea that sports could be consumed beyond traditional television channels.
Late 2000s – Early 2010s
The late 2000s saw the emergence of dedicated streaming platforms specifically designed for sports enthusiasts. Companies like ESPN+ and DAZN started offering subscription-based services that allowed users to access a variety of live sporting events online. It marked a significant shift towards a more personalized and on-demand viewing experience.
These platforms not only provided live coverage but also offered additional features such as on-demand replays, multiple camera angles, and in-depth statistics. This era marked the beginning of the end of traditional cable subscription’s dominance in the sports broadcasting realm.
Mid-2010s
The mid-2010s saw major sports leagues recognize the potential of live streaming and begin to invest heavily in their digital platforms. The National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and Major League Baseball (MLB) launched their respective streaming services, allowing fans to access live games and exclusive content directly from the leagues.
Simultaneously, social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook entered the live sports streaming arena by securing broadcasting rights for specific events. These partnerships expanded the reach of live sports streaming beyond traditional platforms and brought games to audiences who might have yet to consider subscribing to dedicated sports streaming services.
Late 2010s – Present
The late 2010s marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of live sports streaming, with tech giants entering the fray. Companies like Amazon, Google (through YouTube TV), and Apple began competing for exclusive broadcasting rights, further fragmenting the sports streaming landscape.
These tech giants leveraged their vast resources to secure partnerships with major sports leagues, challenging traditional broadcasters and dedicated streaming platforms. The competitive bidding for exclusive rights has driven up the value of these deals, resulting in more revenue for sports leagues and athletes.
Now you know where live-streaming started, why not give it a go by watching tonight’s live game?