The BBC unveiled technology that "could eliminate the delay on internet live streams of big sporting events," an issue that affected millions of viewers during the World Cup in the summer, according to Jim Waterson of the London GUARDIAN. The industry-wide problem was "starkest" during the England squad’s run to the semifinal. As millions watched online, a time delay of 20 seconds or longer meant "many viewers learned about goals from alerts on their phone or the screams of their neighbours." By comparison, TV coverage broadcast via Freeview takes "about only five seconds to reach the home." The BBC’s research and development team developed a prototype that "could bring the delay in line with traditional TV broadcasts." Chris Poole, the lead research engineer at the corporation, said, "There are many factors that contribute to the delay, or latency, that you experience when watching a live stream over the internet." The innovation will be on display, along with other BBC development projects, at the int'l broadcasting convention in Amsterdam this week (GUARDIAN, 9/13).
