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Study Finds Viewers Prefer Slight Speed Adjustments Over Buffering
Lancaster University research shows dynamic playback speed changes can improve streaming experience.
Mar. 20, 2026 at 3:28am
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A new study from researchers at Lancaster University has found that viewers would rather watch video at slightly lower speeds than endure rebuffering. The study investigated how dynamically slowing down or speeding up playback is perceived by viewers, and how playback speed changes compare to other ways of overcoming internet slowdowns, such as reducing picture quality and pausing for rebuffering.
Why it matters
The findings could help inform the design of video players and enhance the streaming experience for viewers. Imperceptibly speeding up or slowing down playback is seen as much better than interruptions like rebuffering or seeking, which can be jarring for viewers and cause them to miss key moments.
The details
The researchers discovered that slowing down playback to 90% of normal speed was largely imperceptible to viewers, and up to 80% speed was also imperceptible for half the content. But dropping to 70% was noticeable and negatively affected the viewing experience. They also found that speeding up playback by up to 30% quicker than normal was acceptable to many viewers. The study involved over 200 participants and covered a range of video content including sports, dramas, documentaries and game streaming.
- The study was published online on March 20, 2026.
The players
Lancaster University
The university where the lead researcher, Dr. Tomasz Lyko, is a Senior Research Associate at the School of Computing and Communications.
Dr. Tomasz Lyko
The lead author of the study and a Senior Research Associate at Lancaster University's School of Computing and Communications.
Dr. Rajiv Ramdhany
A Senior Research and Development Engineer at BBC R&D who believes the study's findings can be used to improve the design of media players like the BBC iPlayer.
What they’re saying
“We found a safe range of slowed down playback - speeds that won't be noticeable to most users.”
— Dr. Tomasz Lyko, Senior Research Associate, Lancaster University
“Imperceptibly speeding up is much better for the viewing experience than 'seeking', which is like an instant fast-forward. Seeking can be jarring. The video jumps ahead to reduce latency, but that might mean that you missed a key event like a goal or booking.”
— Dr. Tomasz Lyko, Senior Research Associate, Lancaster University
“This study's findings can be used to improve the design of modern media players like the BBC iPlayer for a better streaming experience, without causing any further disruptions, by establishing a safe range for slowing down or speeding up video playback.”
— Dr. Rajiv Ramdhany, Senior Research and Development Engineer, BBC R&D
What’s next
The researchers believe their findings can help inform the design of video players and enhance the streaming experience for viewers. They plan to work with companies like the BBC to implement these playback speed adjustments in media players.
The takeaway
This study shows that viewers are willing to accept slight adjustments to playback speed in order to avoid the frustration of buffering and rebuffering. By dynamically slowing down or speeding up video within an imperceptible range, streaming platforms can provide a smoother viewing experience for users.
