German TV streaming provider waipu.tv has introduced a new low-latency streaming technology designed to reduce delays during live broadcasts, ahead of the FIFA Football World Cup 2026.
The new “Sport Mode” accelerates the delivery of live television signals and is available on all waipu.tv streaming sticks and set-top boxes. The feature can be activated through the account settings menu and is currently supported for Das Erste and ZDF, the broadcasters carrying Germany’s matches and other key World Cup fixtures on free-to-air television.
According to waipu.tv, the technology is enabled by its proprietary content delivery network (CDN), which is designed to distribute live signals more efficiently and maintain stable performance during major events when millions of viewers are watching simultaneously.
The launch follows a representative survey commissioned by waipu.tv, which found that 25% of Germans are concerned about learning about goals before seeing them on screen, for example through neighbours celebrating. The phenomenon was particularly pronounced among men aged 18 to 29, with 45% expressing concern about such spoilers.
The survey also indicated strong demand for live viewing despite the tournament’s late kick-off times for European audiences. More than one-third of Germans said they plan to watch matches live during the night, rising to more than half among men aged 18 to 29.
“According to our latest survey, more than half of all Germans know the frustrating feeling of hearing about a goal before they can actually see it,” said Markus Härtenstein, Co-CEO of Exaring, the operator of waipu.tv. “This is exactly where our high-speed streaming technology comes in. It ensures that users of waipu.tv sticks and boxes can experience the decisive World Cup moments themselves rather than hearing about them first.”
The “Sport Mode” feature is available immediately to all waipu.tv customers using the company’s own hardware devices and the latest version of the waipu.tv app.
waipu.tv serves around two million customers in Germany and offers more than 300 television channels, including over 70 pay-TV services and an on-demand catalogue of films and series.
The move follows an initiative by Vodafone Deutschland, which is introducing a low-latency transmission feature for World Cup coverage on its cable network. The optimisation will reduce transmission delays for ARD and ZDF broadcasts by around two seconds, enabling cable viewers to see goals faster than before, according to the network operator.
