COVID-19: Opinions on what should replace live sports on television, by age

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.

There was significant age dependent variation between the opinions of respondents. Although the largest share of respondents from all age groups indicated that they have no interest in watching any sports on TV, with the 45-54 year olds exhibited the highest share of respondents that indicated as such with 47 percent, the second largest share of respondents, from all but the 25-34 year old age group, 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. Another prevelant response amongst all age groups was that programs that focus on exercise and physical activity, in which viewers could participate, should be the primary replacement, within the 25-34 yearold age group 24 percent of respondents indicated as such, constituting the second largest shar of respondents within this age group.