COVID-19: What should replace live sports on TV?

Just one of the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is the widespread cancellation of virtually all live sports coverage, as leagues and competitions are postponed or cancelled.

During a representative survey of the British adult population, undertaken between the 24th and 25th March 2020, respondents were asked their opinions on what sport related themes should replace live sports on television (TV) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although 44 percent of respondents indicated tha they have no interest in watching any sports on TV, 22 percent of respondents held the opinion that that replays of classic matches and tournaments of tradition sporting varieties such as football, cricket, and rugby, should be screened as an alternative during the period affected by the COVID-1 pandemic.

Distribution of opinions on what sport related themes should replace live sports on television (TV) during the COVID-19 pandemic

Characteristic	None of these - I have no interest in watching any sports on TV	Replays of classic matches/ tournaments (e.g. football, cricket, rugby etc.)	Programs that focus on exercise/ physical activity viewers can participate in	Any format of a traditional sport (eg football, cricket, rugby, tennis etc.) competition from around the world which can be played without the risk of spreading the virus (e.g. players who have passed through quarantine period playing one another in special games)	Any sport from around the world which have not been cancelled or postponed	Sport discussion/ debate	Don't know	Athletes or teams performing physical/sporting challenges against one another remotely	Athletes or teams playing sports related video games against each other	Esports tournaments of traditional sports (e.g. football, basketball etc.)	Esports tournaments that aren't versions of traditional sports (e.g. Fortnite, League of Legends etc.)	Other
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Release date

March 2020

More information

Region

United Kingdom

Survey time period

24th-25th March 2020

Number of respondents

2,139 respondents

Age group

18 years and older

Method of interview

Online Access Panel

Supplementary notes

For this statistic, the values reported by the source have been converted into percentages and rounded.

Survey questions: Due to the global outbreak of coronavirus (Covid19), lots of professional sport has been cancelled/ postponed over the coming months. As a result of this, there will be less live sport shown on TV...Which, if any, of the following sport related themes would you like to see on TV whilst there is less live sports to watch? (Please select all that apply)

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