It’s a very familiar story – there’s a major sporting event on – it could be the World Cup, Euros – or maybe even the World Series if you enjoy a bit of American sports. Maybe you simply want to watch your favourite team playing in the Premier League or Serie A.
In the best-case scenario, it’s shown on a standard TV channel, and you can just sit back and enjoy. However, there are times when it’s only available on a subscription channel… and other times when it might even be a pay-per-view – which can be pretty costly. But there might be something you haven’t considered… free live streams.
But what should you go for? What is best and why? Each one comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, so it often depends on your individual preferences and circumstances. Here, we’re going to look at the pros and cons of free live streams of major sports versus watching sports on TV.
One of the biggest factors most people consider when deciding between free live streams and traditional TV broadcasts is cost.
Free Live Streams: As the name suggests, free live streams basically let you watch sports events at no cost. This is obviously a huge advantage if you want to enjoy your favourite sports without worrying about paying for satellite, cable or subscription services. There are lots of websites and apps that provide free streaming options, making it great if you’re watching the pennies.
That being said – you should make sure that it’s a legal stream… as there are some streaming sites that aren’t above board. You might consider even watching a free stream from a betting site. Lots of these sites let you live stream sports online – as long as you have a bet on the match. This is usually much cheaper than a subscription… and you even have the chance to make money from it if your bet comes in – adding even more excitement to the game!
Watching Sports on TV: On the other hand, watching sports on TV can involve a subscription to cable or satellite services, which seems to be getting ever more expensive (not ideal in the current cost-of-living crisis). Of course, some games are available on free-to-air networks. These days, most major events and popular leagues ask you to pay for the privilege of watching them.
Then we have to think about accessibility – watching your team play should never be hard work.
Free Live Streams: Legal free live streams can basically be accessed from anywhere – as long as you have a decent internet connection, so they’re incredibly convenient. Whether at home, work, or out and about, you can watch the game on your phone, tablet, laptop, or even a smart TV. If you’re betting on the Premier League – you can even do it – and watch it play out no matter where you are! Obviously, if the internet is questionable, you may need to worry about buffering – so make sure the connection is strong!
If you’re going through a bookmaker like Stake.com to livestream it, it’s normally incredibly quick and easy. You just need to make sure you read up on how to watch free live streams on the site, and you can be up and running in moments! It’s perfect if you’re busy and can’t be sure you’ll be sitting at home when the match is on!
Watching Sports on TV: Obviously, if you want to watch it on TV, you need to be somewhere that has a TV… normally at home if you’re the one paying for the sports channel subscription. You’ll need to rearrange your diary to make sure you’re at home to enjoy the action.
That being said, TV tends to offer a more stable and reliable viewing experience without the worry of buffering if the internet connection is shaky.
Realistically, you don’t want to be getting frustrated while watching the game because it keeps playing up. So, quality is definitely something worth considering….
Free Live Streams: The quality of legal free live streams is never guaranteed. Some streams offer HD quality, but plenty of others have pitifully low resolution, buffering issues, and lag (not ideal if you’re hearing people cheering a goal 3 minutes before you actually know it’s happening!). There might also be annoying ads that keep interrupting the flow.
Obviously, you need to go for a high-quality site and make sure you have the best internet connection possible.
Watching Sports on TV: TV broadcasts normally offer a consistent, high-quality viewing experience—often with HD and 4K resolution. Picture and sound quality on TV are also much better than those of free streams.
What’s more, TV broadcasts usually come with professional commentary, pre- and post-game analysis, and other handy additions. Sometimes, it is a case of getting what you pay for.
Whilst free sounds good, if you don’t do it properly, you could end up falling foul of the law…
Free Live Streams: Essentially, it’s important to remember that not all free live streams are legal – with more and more websites offering free sports streaming without any licensing, which is being clamped down on – and could potentially come with legal repercussions.
If you are looking to use a live stream, make sure you’re doing so legally!
Watching Sports on TV: TV broadcasts are generally legal as the channels are licensed to show the sporting event. However, again, that’s as long as you’re officially subscribing to the service and not accessing it illegally!
Ultimately, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Obviously, if you’re going for a free stream – the money is a massive factor – and if you’re betting on the game and accessing it through the bookmakers, you have the chance to win money – and watch it on the go! However – you need to make sure you have a great internet connection – and access the stream legally. Meanwhile, TV can be more costly – but it’s always high quality! You just need to decide what’s right for you!
