Advertisements and bad experiences are becoming the two biggest turnoffs in Indian sports streaming, with users pointing to SonyLIV as the pinnacle of this ill treatment. For years, SonyLIV has been the home of football for Indian viewers, but it isn’t managing to provide a seamless experience.
The major problem here is their uncontrolled advertisements.
Firstly, SonyLIV doesn’t have an advertisement-supported plan, so fans can’t opt for a cheaper alternative. However, SonyLIV manages to insert ads during other content. For instance, they show ads during the streaming of highlights of any particular sport.
It is mentioned in their user plans that live sports will feature advertisements, and a platform can’t really survive without them. But the problem arises when SonyLIV forces ads on viewers during the streaming of highlights.
Some users have claimed that SonyLIV makes them watch three or more ads during one highlights video, which is pretty annoying. Ironically, some free users can access these highlights with the same number of ads. So, why pay for a subscription?
Though the live sports experience improved during the final days of the Euros, the advertisement issue is still present. Practically, fans have no alternative for legal streaming, so SonyLIV is the only option.
It’s high time SonyLIV not only focuses on the content they are putting out but also improves the overall experience. Otherwise, someone like JioCinema, who can acquire sports rights in the snap of a finger, is already breathing down their neck.
Fans get impatient quite easily, so SonyLIV has just one way out. Now the question is, will SonyLIV listen to the fans or will they just continue ignoring?
I have a premium membership and I still see 3 ads for one highlight video, so terrible!
— Dhruv Bansal (@dhruvinpixels) July 7, 2024
@SonyLIV@SonyLIVIntl@Sony
— Sandeep Amar (@sancalls) July 7, 2024
Look at your statement "Premium members won't see ads except for Sports, LIV Exclusives, Reality Shows & Interactivity" - what else is left? If a free users see highlights with same ads as paid user, whats the point of being a paid user?
@SonyLIV you don't understand sports fans? Who keeps 3 consecutive ads at regular intervals in highlights?
— majnu bhai (@DigitalAgarwal) July 7, 2024
Keep an ad on every ball rather. Why stop?
@SonyLIV @SonyLIVHelps can you help me understand why a premium user needs to see ads in a highlights package? Are you seriously that dumb to put ads at strategic points in a highlights package of today's match?
— lalit_pnl (@lalitp_3) July 7, 2024
@SonyLIV What is the point in paying your premium if I have watch a set of 5 ads in a 15 min highlights
— jithin augustine (@david2augustine) July 7, 2024