Social Second Screen: WhatsApp and Watching the World Cup

In recent years, changes have taken place in television viewing patterns during live broadcasts of major events. One of the most striking changes is the introduction of “second screens” that accompany viewing. The current study adds to the existing research literature by examining viewing patterns and socialization during the live broadcast of major sports games. Specifically, it examines the use of smartphones and WhatsApp among Israeli viewers of the 2018 World Cup games’ televised broadcasts, from the quarterfinals onward. In total, 454 respondents were filtered through a screening question, in a representative panel of Israeli population. Findings show that most viewers prefer to watch the broadcast of a major soccer game together, though co-viewing is not necessarily done in the physical presence of others. Findings also reveal a connection between the viewer’s engagement with the game and the enjoyment of watching the broadcast. Further, this relationship is mediated through the use of a smartphone as a second screen, especially the use of WhatsApp. This study contributes to existing research literature by showing the extent to which game-related communication using WhatsApp contributes to a meaningful collaborative viewing experience, the degree of engagement with the game, and the extent to which it is enjoyed.