topic Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream? in Sky Stream

Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

AD941 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 12:33:47 GMT

Just wondering what the delay time is like on sky sports when using sky stream? Also seen some negative reviews regarding lip sync? Can any confirm this

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

mikealanr — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 12:54:51 GMT

Hi @AD941

There is a delay of 20 sceconds or so compared to traditional broadcasts. This is due to the nature of delivery by the internet. Sky however implemented a low latency mode that reduces this further.

Re the lip sync it's a known issue. Changing channel and back again resolves, but I've not noticed it much at all recently.

MikeAlanR

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

Stephen+Mourton — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:20:41 GMT

@AD941 Also Sky Sports Main Event channel 401 gives you the option to 'Live Sync' which brings the delay very close to being live. This is not available as yet on other channels.

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

Wazza3 — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:51:59 GMT

Hi All, Why sky have not roll out sky sports channels for low latency surely it does not take long since they done for Sky Sports Main Event Low latency for Sky Glass?

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

Nigelb1972 — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 19:01:26 GMT

@AD941 i'd imagine they're prioritising live sport, especially Premier League because a high revenue and high profile sport and the audience are more reactive to a slight delay between other platforms.

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

MarkGoldsmith — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 09:49:01 GMT

@Nigelb1972 wrote:
@AD941 i'd imagine they're prioritising live sport, especially Premier League because a high revenue and high profile sport and the audience are more reactive to a slight delay between other platforms.

Agreed. The technology is also quite costly to implement and roll-out so likely the channels that are more commericially attractive would be the ones that get the priority.

The BBC have been trialling low-latency technology as a beta feature in iPlayer for BBC Two recently.

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

fgdfgdfg — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:15:56 GMT

I'd love to hear from people about the delay on Sky Stream vs SkyQ. If Sky want stream to a viable alternative they need to sort this out.

Is it still a 10-20 second delay? Is there still this "low latency" channel or did it roll out to all the channels?

Seems that if there's still a delay then those of us that chat online, use live sports betting apps or follow F1 telemetry can't use Sky Stream for sports.

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

GD1 — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:22:07 GMT

@fgdfgdfg I'm at a loss as to how you think Sky can sort out what is a natural event with the internet, there will always be a delay of some kind even on the Low Latency channels (which has reduced delay significantly).

All forms of broadcasting and streaming will have a delay due to process, however streaming something will always have a greater delay, unless you know of some way Sky can overcome physics? If so do enlighten everyone.

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

Jon34 — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:05:21 GMT

A 10-20 second delay is not a natural event for the internet, if that were the case the "internet" wouldnt be a viable option for say video calls on whatsapp etc.

The delay is likley more to do with processing, that is digital signal processing, upscaling, downscaling and encoding, then there is no doubt more processing going on for encrypiting the streams etc.

As suggested above there is likley more powerful hardware beidng used and even an "upgraded" servicing-platform.

As satelite and cable and terestrial are fazed out i would imagine technoligy and investment would improve, so theres a good chance in 5-10 yesrs this would be almost on par with live broadcasts as they currently are at present.

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

Nigelb1972 — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:00:05 GMT

Multicast delivery will reduce time delays on IP broadcasting but true multicast over the Openreach network is locked so it's only available on BT/EE TV.

BT have launched MAUD delivery which Sky currently use for SS Main Event Live Sync but it's far from perfect.

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

MarkGoldsmith — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:09:30 GMT

The infrastructure required to use Multicastis typically more expensive to run as well, so it almost certainly needs to become more commercially viable before its more widely used.

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

fgdfgdfg — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 09:09:27 GMT

@GD1 wrote:
@fgdfgdfg I'm at a loss as to how you think Sky can sort out what is a natural event with the internet, there will always be a delay of some kind even on the Low Latency channels (which has reduced delay significantly).

All forms of broadcasting and streaming will have a delay due to process, however streaming something will always have a greater delay, unless you know of some way Sky can overcome physics? If so do enlighten everyone.

Allow me to enlighten everyone then! Or rather, enlighten you because others seem less baffled.

As others have said, EE uses multicast technology that somehow "overcomes physics" as you understand it.

The BBC are also testing low latency iPlayer streams in time for the world cup next year...

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

Hunter2660 — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:48:01 GMT

Ok let's simplify it a little. BT/EE use multicast to stream their channels. With that, in effect, you "join" the stream as it's "broadcast", so everybody receives the same packets or picture, (110 people will get the same stream). Sky, and other streaming services, use unicast. With that you "request" a stream from the server, everybody will get different "packets" so you will always get a delay (100 people will get 100 seperate streams). This way your next door neighbour will be either in front or behind the picture your receiving as the server deals with every request. With multicast your next door neighbour will be getting exactly the same picture. So with unicast there will always be a delay because that is the way the system is used, there's just no avoiding it

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

fgdfgdfg — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:37:18 GMT

@Hunter2660 This is a brilliant explanation thanks. It's astonishing that BBC / Sky / Virgin etc don't offer a massive amount of cash for the multicast technology BT own?

Does multicast require bespoke hardware? Wondering if Amazon, F1TV, Apple etc would also go for it for their live sports streams...

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

Nigelb1972 — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:14:07 GMT

@Hunter2660 excellent explanation

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

Nigelb1972 — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:21:15 GMT

@fgdfgdfg it requires a Multicast compatible router/hub and is only currently available on the Openreach network if you are a BT/EE TV customer because the GEA (Generic Ethernet Access Multicast product is a BT Wholesale product who BT/EE effectively by their package from. Sky don't supply BT Wholesales TV product which is fundamentally why it isn't available. Tbh, it's all a ball ache but it's because of how BT are structured and buy and sell their products.

The new MAUD system is a BT product that is provided to Openreach on a customer basis. It's slowly gaining more traction though and Sky do have plans to expand it to other channels at some point.

MAUD reduces lag down to a similar level as satellite delivery.

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

TechGuy007 — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:33:01 GMT

Interesting thread. I had a look at the BT article on MAUD. As someone thinking of switching from an ageing Sky HD box (over 15 years old) to Stream, the big question for me is how it will cope with streaming demand for major sporting events on BBC and ITV, like last year's Euros football and the World Cup next summer. Did anyone experience any streaming issues last year when watching the England games in particular?

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

Nigelb1972 — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 14:18:27 GMT

ITV aren't currently using MAUD for delivery and the BBC are only trialling it on selected iPlayer broadcasts...

Personally, I don't think the capacity is there yet at BT's end so in effect it's still really in a trial phase...

Re: Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

Dazzasky — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 19:16:37 GMT

@Hunter2660 wrote:
Ok let's simplify it a little. BT/EE use multicast to stream their channels. With that, in effect, you "join" the stream as it's "broadcast", so everybody receives the same packets or picture, (110 people will get the same stream). Sky, and other streaming services, use unicast. With that you "request" a stream from the server, everybody will get different "packets" so you will always get a delay (100 people will get 100 seperate streams). This way your next door neighbour will be either in front or behind the picture your receiving as the server deals with every request. With multicast your next door neighbour will be getting exactly the same picture. So with unicast there will always be a delay because that is the way the system is used, there's just no avoiding it

A very concise explanation, Interesting.