Getting Games On The Go: Consumer Interest in Live Sports via Mobile Devices Grows, According to New CEA Study
1. Getting Games On The Go: Consumer Interest in Live Sports
via Mobile Devices Grows, According to New CEA Study
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the conclusion of the NCAA's March Madness basketball
tournament and the beginning of the 2015 MLB baseball season, more sports fans than ever are
interested in watching live games and events via mobile devices. According to the Consumer
Electronics Association's (CEA)®Sports and Technology Study, 6thEdition, a third of sports fans (32
percent) report interest in watching sports live on their mobile devices, a significant increase from
2010 (20 percent).
While television remains the most frequently-used content consumption method for sports (90
percent), the study says four in ten (40 percent) sports fans have viewed or listened to sports online
using a computer, tablet or smartphone within the past 12 months. Additionally, almost two in ten
sports fans (19 percent) have consumed sports content on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter
over the last year.
Many sports fans also supplement watching sports with other sports-related activities performed on
consumer electronics devices including, using a second screen (i.e. mobile device) while watching
sports on television (23 percent), using a digital video recorder (DVR) to pause or rewind portions of
a game or event (21 percent), and using a DVR, VCR, or another recording method to record another
game being played simultaneously (15 percent).
"The experience of being a sports fan has never been better thanks to the vast array of technologies
and platforms delivering sports content today," said Steve Koenig, senior director of market
research, CEA. "Sports fans not only enjoy watching games via mobile platforms, they say they're
willing to pay for more dynamic, mobile-accessible sports content."
Sports enthusiasts who consume sports through television tend to own televisions with larger
screens and better picture quality. Among self-described sports fans who watch sports on television,
almost two-thirds (62 percent) own televisions with a screen size of 40 inches or larger, compared to
38 percent of non-sports fans.
Overall, larger screen sizes and innovative display features have more consumers upgrading their
video experience. According to CEA's U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecasts, televisions
larger than 50 inches will account for 11.3 million units sold in 2015, up 8.1 percent from last year,
while unit shipments of 4K Ultra HD displays are projected to reach four million in 2015 (a 208
percent increase).
2. The study also reports sports enthusiasts
tend to be early technology adopters. Four in
ten (42 percent) self-identified "super fans"
consider themselves early embracers of new
technology, while less enthusiastic sports
fans identify themselves as late adopters of
technology.
"Technology has long fostered greater
engagement between sports and fans," said
Koenig. "Today's mobile technologies-
-combined with social platforms and apps-
-are building a connected community of fans;
enriching the fan experience for all."
The full CEA Sports and Technology Study, 6thEdition report examines consumer use of technology
in the consumption of sports content. The study is designed and formulated by CEA Market
Research, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical
trends for the consumer electronics industry. Please cite any information to the Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA)®. The complete report is available free to CEA member companies
at members.CE.org. Non-members can purchase the study at store.CE.org.
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the technology trade association representing the
$286 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of
CEA membership, including legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, technical training
and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and
strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES - The Global Stage for
Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at
www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media.
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