While in some ways, it can seem as though the experience of playing and watching sports has been unchanged since ancient times, technology plays a substantial yet subtle role. What’s more, this technology is always evolving, meaning that the way you engaged with sports as a viewer might be different today than what it was like ten years ago.
This could even be something that goes beyond your own space into more deeply ingrained territory with the sport itself. At a certain point, might the whole sport be changing as a result of the technology involved with viewing it?
Replays and Scrutiny
For some sports fans, the most obvious way in which technology has changed the game comes down to types of technology that allow officials a greater insight into whether or not a rule was broken, thus potentially disqualifying certain goals or clarifying other decisions. This is something that has often proven controversial among communities of a given sport, with soccer proving to be one of the landmark examples.
VAR refers to the type of virtual replay that is found in this context, and the reason that it’s often proven controversial is due to the severity of decisions it leads to. While perhaps more accurate, the higher level of scrutiny around each goal might mean that fewer goals are scored as a result and that’s something that can impact the enjoyment of the game for some.
Ancillary Digital Activities
As with any other type of viewing experience in the modern age, sports viewing is prone to viewers ‘second screening’, where their attention is divided by what’s on the TV and what’s on their phones. To some people, this might feel more reasonable with sport, where the unpredictable nature of the game can lead to a lot of downtime where the players are in the middle of the pitch and neither team (or player) is able to gain much headway.
However, some platforms have begun specifically leaning into this.
Using sports stars to promote betting platforms or even online casinos can lead to sports viewers playing a hand of online blackjack while viewing sports, especially if they’re in a social circle that often bets during games – though not every platform will offer both casino games and sports betting.
Home Cinema/Bar Availability
It’s also about the type of setup that different people are experiencing sports through. Many people have full cinema rooms set up at home, with enormous TVs and speakers that can deliver very immersive experiences. The widespread nature of this equipment also means that bars or pubs are often playing sports as well, which can make these settings natural stopping points for people who are interested in seeing the game with a social edge. In fact, when it comes to larger sporting events like a World Cup, a lot of business can be had by drawing in people who might ordinarily not be interested in sport at all – making the availability of technology arguably instrumental in drawing more people towards the various sports.
