The Digital World Cup
The World Cup will be watched online by nearly a third of British football fans, more than in any other World Cup, according to a study released by PC World.
The retailer questioned over 3,000 Brits in the run up to the World Cup following a surge in sales of its wireless networking and video streaming gadgets. Feedback revealed that 30% of fans, which equates to over 14 million of those expected to watch the World Cup, are planning on doing so over the internet. Nearly a quarter (23%) revealed they would be using laptops or desktop PCs. One in ten expects to follow the action using a smart phone such as a BlackBerry.
The research reflects a surge in the numbers of Brits using the internet to watch live TV and recorded footage since the last World Cup. Recent figures have revealed that BBC iPlayer, the first of the internet TV services from the major broadcasters which launched just 2 years ago, now has over 70 million views per month.
Watching on the move
Being able to keep up to speed with the action when on the move via mobile broadband and SmartPhone apps was revealed as being behind the appeal by four in ten fans. Nearly half (48 %) are expecting to miss fewer games than in the 2006 World Cup. Three in a hundred fans are expecting to follow the action in the gym via a mobile phone.
Fans buying up gadgets
Fans getting kitted out with the latest wireless gadgets ahead of the games are believed to be behind a 30% surge in demand for Slingboxes in the last 2 weeks. The devices allow users to stream live TV to a laptop or mobile phone anywhere in the World via a broadband internet or WiFi connection.
NetGear Power line adapters have also seen an increase in demand of 20%. The device, which plugs into a plug socket, uses the household electrical circuit to create a wireless network. It means fans can watch footage from the internet immediately after a game on the main household TV.
Re-watching the action
In addition to keeping up to speed with live action on the move, the research also revealed that more replays of the games will be watched online than on TV. When questioned over 10% more fans revealed they use the internet to watch repeated footage online immediately after a game than wait for the highlights on TV. 11% of fans revealed they use the internet to watch footage at least twice after a game. World Cup games will be available for up to a week after each match and available to download for free from BBC iPlayer and iTV.
Jeremy Fennell, Category Director, PC World, comments: “Internet TV was only just coming into play when England last played in a World Cup tournament. Now, in just four years, football fans are able to watch live and recorded footage from laptops, desktop PCs and mobile phones from just about any location in the UK and across the world.”
Social networking
The research also showed record numbers of fans are planning on using social networking forums to keep in touch and comment on the action during the games. Feedback revealed that Facebook and Twitter were the most popular way to stay in touch for nearly a quarter (24%) of fans during football games. Neither Facebook nor Twitter were available in the UK at the time of the 2006 World Cup. The Support England in World Cup 2010 FaceBook fan site currently has nearly 110,000 members, whilst Goal.com - the world's largest new media football community - boasts more than 300,000 fans on their fan pages.
Goal.com social networking director Kunwar Ali said: “Football fans are used to being part of a club so using social networking came naturally. It’s like a virtual stadium and the World Cup is going to get everyone supporting their sides to the max.”
Top 5 internet TV gadgets
1.Slingbox PRO
2.Mi-Fi Pay As You Go Mobile Broadband Modem
3.BlackBerry Curve 8520
4.NetGear Power Line Network Adaptor
5.Nintendo Wii