Lagging Behind? How Streaming Services Stack Up During The Super Bowl

With the Super Bowl playing in millions of households, the big question on everyone’s mind (aside from who’s gonna win, of course) is: where’s the best spot to stream the game with the least amount of lag? Because, let’s face it, no one wants to hear their neighbor’s cheers (or groans) through the wall a full minute before they see the play that caused it. So, I’ve done a little digging to help you find the streaming service that’ll get you as close to live as internet-ly possible.

Remember last year’s Super Bowl? Fox Sports made headlines when their app nearly eliminated the streaming delay versus over-the-air (OTA) broadcast, setting a new benchmark for streaming live sports. It was a game-changer, showing us just how close streaming services could get to delivering real-time action. Their success last year really set the stage for what we’re looking for this year.

So, with that in mind and a solid 314.4mbps download speed at my disposal, I tested the top live TV streaming services to see how they stack up against traditional route of watching OTA.

Now, onto the streaming contenders:

• Paramount+ clocks in at +43 seconds behind cable. Not too shabby, but in the wake of last year’s near-instant streaming by Fox, it feels like there’s room to improve.
• CBS Sports App is a hair behind Paramount+ at +48 seconds. Given the advancements in streaming technology, as evidenced by last year’s Fox Sports app performance, fans might expect more.
• Fubo trails the group with a +61 second delay. While Fubo offers a lot to sports fans, in today’s fast-paced streaming environment, spearheaded by last year’s Fox Sports success, this might not cut it for those seeking near-real-time experiences.
• DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV are the frontrunners among streamers, both coming in at a respectable +17 seconds lag. Echoing last year’s Fox Sports app’s achievement, these services are leading the pack in minimizing delay.

So, what’s the verdict? In a post-Fox Sports breakthrough world, DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV emerge as the MVPs this Super Bowl season. With only a 17-second delay, they’re as close as you can get to the live broadcast without a cable or satellite hookup, proving that the strides made last year weren’t just a one-off but a sign of the rapid advancements in streaming technology.

This is particularly interesting when you compare it to last year’s Super Bowl on Fox, which not only set a new streaming record with an average of 7 million viewers but also showcased the potential for near-zero delay in streaming live sports. The technology behind streaming live sports continues to evolve, and it’s clear that services are getting faster and more reliable. While we’re not at zero-delay just yet, the gap is closing, making streaming a viable option for live sports fanatics everywhere.

So, grab your snacks, don your jersey, and get ready to stream the Super Bowl with the least amount of lag. Whether you’re rooting for the underdogs or the perennial favorites, one thing’s for sure: you won’t be lagging far behind with DIRECTV STREAM or YouTube TV. Here’s to a game day where the only delays are during the commercials!