In this digital age, streaming services are having a real impact on how we digest media content. From streaming music to watching videos online, our consumption habits are changing quickly. In particular, the way we consume sport is being transformed by the rise of streaming video platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The way that we consume sport is being transformed by the rise of streaming video platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Over the last few years, these streaming services have begun broadcasting sporting events regularly. As such, you no longer have to rely on old-fashioned methods like cable television or live streams to watch your favorite team play. Instead, you can access streams directly from your device or even download individual games to watch later.
How Television Shaped the Way we Watch Sport
The origins of TV date back to the 1940s. By the 1950s, there were millions of households in the U.S. that had TV sets. It wasn’t until the 1960s, however, that TV became mainstream. Then, in the 1970s, the adoption of cable TV created a new era of TV viewing. This is when television started to shape the way we enjoy sports. As more and more people subscribed to cable, sport became a regular staple of TV programming. People could now watch live sports as well as sports highlights, match replays, and sports documentaries which had previously been confined to TV specials. TV also opened up the door for dedicated sports channels. Indeed, cable TV allowed popular sporting events to be broadcast to millions of people at once.
Cable Television
Cable television was the first widespread form of television distribution, especially in areas away from cities. Early systems distributed one or more channels of audio and/or video programming to subscribers via coaxial cable or optical fiber. These systems were built by local governments and private companies and operated as monopolies. Cable TV systems are composed of a head end (central facility) that receives programming either via satellite, microwave link, an off-air antenna, or a fiber-optic network. Head-end equipment such as set-top boxes, video multiplexers, modulators, and channel/program number selectors translates the programming for distribution to individual subscribers. Alternatively, a head end can also have video servers that collect programming from various sources and distribute it to subscribers.
Live Streaming Services
Live streaming services allow you to watch sports events live, as they are occurring. These internet television platforms host a variety of sports, including basketball, tennis, soccer, and cricket. Live streaming services are accessible through a laptop or desktop computer, a smartphone or tablet, or a streaming media player like a Roku. Many of these services are available as stand-alone apps, or you can access them through a TV-connected device such as a Roku or Amazon Fire TV. Live streaming services are also affordable, affordable options like Philo which offer a wide range of sports programming for as little as $16 per month. However, there are some disadvantages to living streaming services. For example, there may be delays or interruptions in the stream, particularly during high-traffic events. In addition, you may not always be able to access live streams outside your own country.
Netflix
Netflix, a streaming service that offers thousands of television shows and movies, has recently begun to host sports programming as well. This includes exclusive rights to certain sporting events and an increase in sports documentaries. You can watch these sporting events via both the Netflix website and the Netflix mobile app. If you have a subscription to Netflix, you can also watch via a smart TV or other streaming media player. Like other streaming services, you can use a computer or mobile device to watch sports programming on Netflix. You can also download certain programs to view later, even when you aren’t connected to the internet. This feature makes Netflix a great option for sports fans who travel a lot or have poor internet access.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is a subscription service that offers a wide range of television and film programming. In recent years, it has also begun to host sports programming, including Premier League soccer and ATP tennis. Like Netflix, programming from Amazon Prime Video can be viewed via the website, mobile app, or smart TV. You can also download select programming for offline viewing. In addition, Amazon Prime Video has an Amazon Channels feature that allows you to access specific sports channels. This means you can use Amazon Prime Video to subscribe to sports channels like the MLB channel and the NBA channel. Unlike Netflix, Amazon Prime Video also has a free version that allows you to sample select programming.
Summing up
Over the last decade, TV has transformed into a digital medium. Now you can watch your favorite sport live or stream it on demand on your laptop, smartphone, or TV. While TV remains a great way to watch sports, the rise of streaming services has opened up new ways to consume sports programming. In particular, the rise of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video has transformed the way we view sport. Whether you prefer to watch sports on TV or a streaming service, you have more options than ever before. Good luck and enjoy the game!