Just a few hours remain until the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially kicks off, with Mexico and South Africa playing the first match. Ahead of the tournament, Sky has announced a major change for viewers watching games on BBC and ITV.
Sky's Real Time Channels
Many households stream live TV, including the World Cup, over their internet connection, which can cause broadcast delays. This is frustrating for football fans who risk missing key goals. Sky has launched 'Real Time' channels to reduce the lag between the screen and real-life action. Sky describes it as its 'lowest latency streaming experience,' helping viewers stay up-to-date.
Sky has not confirmed the exact lag reduction, only stating viewers can watch action 'within seconds.' To access the new channels, Sky customers can select the Real Time option on screen during supported live sports via the opt-in button and dedicated channels across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, according to the Mirror.
Requirements and Availability
Real Time channels require a decent broadband connection, with Sky recommending speeds of 40Mbps. The service is available on select live sports, including the World Cup on BBC and ITV, but only for certain customers. The channels are rolled out at no extra cost to Sky Stream and Sky Glass customers. New customers need to secure a new package.
Sky is running a special World Cup sale with a 20% discount on the entire Sky Glass range until June 17. Monthly prices start at £4.50 (was £6) for the slim Sky Glass Air. The more powerful Sky Glass Gen 2 starts at £11 (was £14). Sky touts its Glass range as 'the TV designed for football,' featuring a 4K HDR Quantum Dot screen and dedicated sports mode for crisp visuals and immersive sound.
The Gen 2 includes Dolby Atmos sound with a seven-speaker system and built-in soundbar. Both models have Sky channels and streaming apps built in, operating over WiFi with simple plug-and-play setup. New Sky customers must pair their Sky Glass TV with a package, such as the £15 Essential TV bundle or £24 Ultimate TV bundle, both offering free-to-air and premium channels like Sky Atlantic and free Netflix. Ultimate TV also includes free HBO Max and Disney+ subscriptions.
These packages run on 24-month contracts, while Sky Glass is on a 48-month loan with £20 upfront. Sky notes that prices 'may change' during the contract period.
Alternative Options
Football fans can also upgrade their TV setup with Raylo, offering 4K LG TVs on monthly subscriptions, such as the 55-inch LG QNED70 AI MiniLED 4K Smart TV from £19.85 per month over 36 months with no upfront cost. Alternatively, EE offers discounts on TVs like the Hisense A7QTUK QLED AI Smart TV, with prices starting at £289 (was £310) for the 43-inch model, praised as 'outstanding quality for the price.'
