Core Insights - The sports media landscape is shifting towards streaming, with viewers increasingly abandoning traditional broadcast and cable services [1][8] - A significant portion of sports viewers (57%) face technical challenges when streaming, including buffering and poor video quality [3][5] - The report emphasizes the need for improved streaming infrastructure and advanced video codecs to enhance the viewing experience [4][5] Streaming Trends - More than half (40%) of sports viewers exclusively watch sports via streaming services, indicating a trend of cord-cutting [6] - The percentage of US internet households paying for traditional pay TV has decreased from 62% in Q1 2020 to 42% in Q1 2025 [7] - Sports fans spend an average of $88 per month on streaming services, compared to $64 for non-sports viewers [7] Demographic Insights - Younger viewers (under 35) are more likely to watch sports on social media platforms (40%) compared to older viewers (13% for those aged 55+) [7] - A higher percentage of female sports fans (49%) stream sports exclusively compared to male fans (42%) [7] - Poor video quality is particularly problematic for younger viewers, with 31% of those aged 18-24 reporting issues like freezing and buffering [7] Technical Challenges - The report identifies poor video quality as a major issue, with 18% of sports viewers reporting this problem [7] - Advanced video codecs like HEVC and H.266 (VVC) are suggested as solutions to improve streaming quality and reduce latency [4][5] - The need for a seamless streaming experience is critical for maintaining viewer engagement and satisfaction [8]