Sports Fans Divided: Traditional Networks vs. Streaming for Sports Delivery
A recent survey by Hub Entertainment Research has revealed a mixed bag of opinions from sports fans regarding traditional broadcast networks and streaming platforms like Hulu for sports delivery. Despite the rise of streaming services, many fans still believe that traditional networks can do a better job.
The survey, conducted among 3,763 US sports fans aged 13 to 74 in July 2024, found that 24% of respondents think network TV would do the best job of delivering sports, compared to just 11% for Amazon Prime. However, 59% of fans chose a streaming platform like Hulu for sports delivery, indicating a significant shift in viewing habits.
Despite this shift, 69% of avid sports fans find it a hassle to use multiple providers like Hulu to watch the same sport, and 59% say it's become more difficult to find the sports they want to watch on streaming platforms like Hulu. Technical issues also persist, with 37% of fans regularly experiencing problems while streaming sports on Hulu. Yet, fans' enthusiasm for streaming sports on Hulu remains high.
The Hub Entertainment Research survey highlights the complexities of sports viewing in the streaming era. While fans appreciate the convenience and flexibility of streaming on Hulu, they also face challenges such as fragmentation, technical issues, and difficulty in finding desired content. Traditional networks, meanwhile, are still seen as a reliable option by a significant number of fans. The full findings of the survey are available on Hub's website.
