Sky has launched Real Time, a low-latency streaming feature for Sky Glass and Sky Stream that reduces the delay between live action and what viewers see on screen, arriving ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The feature targets the growing frustration among sports fans who receive goal notifications or social media updates before the on-screen action has caught up, a problem that has become more acute as smartphone usage during live matches has increased.
The World Cup timing gives Sky a practical showcase for Real Time, with the tournament running across BBC and ITV providing a sustained period of high-profile live sport during which the low-latency mode will be visible to the broadest possible audience.
Real Time activates via an opt-in button during supported live broadcasts, with dedicated EPG channels also available for BBC and ITV coverage, covering regional BBC One variants across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland alongside ITV1 and ITV4.
Sky recommends a minimum internet connection speed of 40Mbps to use the feature, a higher threshold than the 25Mbps it requires for standard HD streaming and the 30Mbps needed for UHD, reflecting the additional bandwidth demands.
One trade-off accompanies the lower latency, as Rewind Live TV is unavailable while Real Time is active, meaning viewers who want to replay goals or key moments mid-match will need to exit the mode before doing so.
Alongside the feature launch, Sky is offering 20% off Sky Glass Air and Sky Glass Gen 2 TVs until 17 June, with the Sky Glass Air 43-inch dropping to £4.50 per month and the Sky Glass Gen 2 65-inch available at £19 per month on a 48-month loan agreement.
Real Time is available now on Sky Glass and Sky Stream for supported live sports broadcasts, with World Cup coverage on BBC and ITV confirmed among the eligible content.
Sky Glass and Sky Stream require a Sky TV streaming subscription to access Real Time, with the Sky Ultimate TV Pack bundling Sky, Disney+, HBO Max, and Netflix together from £24 per month for new customers.
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