Brits hop online in record numbers to watch Olympics

Watching the Olympics at work? Shame on you! But you’re not alone, a record number of athletic enthusiasts have been streaming this year’s Olympics online, logging on to see Team GB bring back gold by the boatload!

New figures from internet service provider Plusnet show a 140% increase in internet usage as avid sports fans tune in to the Beijing Games at their desks.

Neil Armstrong, Plusnet’s products director explained the increase is solely due to the BBC’s iPlayer.

“The BBC, which is streaming the Games via the iPlayer, has really struck gold,” he explained. “This is part of a growing trend with more people than ever using their broadband to watch TV.”

According to Plusnet, lunchtimes are the most popular time for iPlayer addicts to get their fix, although the entire working day has seen online viewing rise too, with “marked increases” for all hours between 9am and 5pm.

Since the games kicked off on August 8, Plusnet says its streaming traffic has rocketed by 200%. And the good news? They’re not complaining about it. At last, an ISP that welcomes users logging on to iPlayer!

Out now | £free | BBC, Plusnet

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