Sky is set to roll out a new feature called Real Time for Sky customers, just in time for the upcoming World Cup. This upgrade aims to address the streaming delay issue that many viewers currently experience. Traditionally, services like BBC iPlayer and ITVX have lagged behind live broadcasts by up to 40 seconds, causing inconvenience for sports enthusiasts. With Real Time, Sky intends to significantly minimize this delay, offering a more immediate viewing experience.
Initially introduced for Premier League matches in 2024, the lower-latency streaming technology is now being expanded to cover BBC and ITV broadcasts, including major events like the World Cup.
According to a statement from Sky, Real Time is powered by Sky OS and is designed to bring viewers closer to live sports action by reducing the latency between the actual event and what is displayed on screen. This feature will be available for select live sports events, such as the World Cup coverage on BBC and ITV, enabling fans to watch matches with minimal lag and fewer spoilers.
To activate Real Time on their screens, viewers can opt-in during supported live sports broadcasts by selecting the Real Time option displayed on the screen. This feature will be accessible on both Sky Glass and Sky Stream devices through an opt-in button or dedicated channels like BBC One HD RT, ITV1 HD RT, and ITV4 HD RT.
Sky’s transition to streaming services like Sky Glass and Sky Stream signifies a shift away from the satellite-based Sky Q platform. These services operate over broadband and offer advantages such as easy self-installation, regular software updates, and seamless integration with popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney+.
As Sky focuses on internet-delivered television and enhanced streaming experiences, Sky Glass and Sky Stream remain central to their strategy, emphasizing the importance of this latest Real Time feature for a seamless viewing experience.