World Cup Broadcasts Lag by Seconds as Processing Delays ‘Live’ Feeds
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 18
World Cup Broadcasts Lag by Seconds as Processing Delays ‘Live’ Feeds
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 18
Summary
Seconds can separate viewers watching the same World Cup match, with some hearing cheers or getting alerts before a goal appears on their own screen.
Modern sports feeds are delayed because video now passes through multiple steps—capture, processing, compression, encryption, packaging, storage, decoding and display—before reaching viewers.
That chain means the channel or streaming service a fan uses can determine whether they see a pivotal moment earlier or later than others.
The mismatch is eroding the shared, simultaneous experience long associated with major live sports events.