Today, live streaming has become a dominant source of entertainment. Live sports, gaming, concerts and webinars all rely on high-quality live streams to keep audiences engaged, whatever device they are using to watch. These audiences have grown increasingly demanding, in step with advancements in technology and the quality they enjoy from VoD streaming. As such, even a brief moment of buffering, a delay in the live feed, or a dip in resolution can turn anticipation into frustration, and frustration into churn. This is where the Quality of Experience (QoE) metric comes into play. QoE allows content providers to track how viewers perceive the overall quality of video streaming, from loading speed and stability to picture clarity and real-time performance. It is a direct reflection of viewer satisfaction, and can therefore be a highly valuable indicator of success.

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In this article, we explore the key factors that influence Quality of Experience in live streaming, what causes issues such as latency and buffering, how these disruptions impact viewer satisfaction, and how System73’s Data Logistics Platform helps content providers overcome these challenges.

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Understanding latency and its impact on QoE

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Latency refers to the delay between when a live event happens and when the viewer sees it on their screen, often called glass-to-glass time. In live streaming, this delay can range from around 30 to 35 seconds for a standard stream, down to just 3 to 6 seconds for ultra-low-latency delivery. While a few seconds of delay may seem trivial to some, for audiences locked into the fast-paced world of live sports, esports, or interactive broadcasts, even the slightest delay can create a significant disconnect. Viewers could receive social media updates or notifications before seeing the event unfold live on-screen, undermining their quality of experience video streaming.

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Several factors can cause latency, including network congestion, inefficient routing through traditional CDNs, long distances between edge servers and viewers, or the streaming protocol used. In regions with limited infrastructure, latency tends to be even higher, which can lead to frustration and reduced engagement. For live events that rely on real-time interaction, for example, live betting, audience polls or e-commerce streams, latency can severely impact streaming viewer satisfaction. Reducing this delay is therefore a top priority for providers seeking to improve QoE streaming and maintain the immediacy that live content, and its audiences, demands.

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The most visible disruption to QoE: buffering

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Buffering is the moment when a video pauses to load, interrupting playback while data catches up with the stream. Technically, it happens when the video player’s buffer, the temporary storage of incoming data, runs out of content to display. For audiences, however, it’s simply a frustrating pause that breaks the flow of live entertainment. Buffering is one of the most common and visible symptoms of poor quality of experience in video streaming, and studies consistently show that even brief interruptions can cause audiences to abandon a stream altogether.

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There are several reasons why buffering occurs. Insufficient bandwidth, network congestion, overloaded CDNs, or unstable last-mile connections can all cause playback stalls. During high-traffic live events such as major sports finals or global concerts, these problems intensify as millions of users access the same feed simultaneously. Each buffering incident erodes streaming viewer satisfaction, reducing engagement and increasing the likelihood of churn. In an industry where smooth streams are synonymous with quality and value for money, minimizing buffering is one of the most effective ways to improve QoE streaming and build long-term viewer trust.

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How System73 improves quality of experience (QoE) in live streaming

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At System73, we tackle the root causes of poor QoE, including latency, buffering, and network congestion, through our Data Logistics network and live streaming solution, Edge Intelligence. This AI-powered technology uses centrally orchestrated peer-to-peer (P2P) broadcast trees to optimize how content travels across the open internet. By continuously analysing traffic patterns, the Platform reroutes content through the least congested paths in real time, reducing delivery delays and ensuring consistent playback quality. We have proven experience offloading up to 70% to 80% of traffic from traditional CDNs, thereby easing bandwidth strain and keeping streams stable even during peak global events. This proactive, adaptive approach enables providers to maintain high QoE without needing to overinvest in additional infrastructure.

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The results speak for themselves. During the Copa América Final, System73 maintained 95% of viewers at the highest rendition for their device while saving the broadcaster 50% in delivery costs. Similarly, the 2024 UEFA Champions League Final achieved 90% of viewers at top bitrate for their device with 65% cost savings, and Amman TV in Jordan improved playback to 1080p in high-latency regions while reducing CDN load by up to 90%. These outcomes prove that by combining scalability, visibility, and intelligent routing, System73 doesn’t just improve QoE streaming, we transform it, ensuring seamless, high-quality live experiences that keep audiences watching and satisfied.

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For more insights into live streaming and live video delivery by System73, or to find out more about our Data Logistics Platform, visit www.system73.com.

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