Streaming services are now entering the ring for live sports. Satellite, broadcast and cable are now all competing with one another to try and win over fans. In one corner you have traditional channels that offer streaming and in the other, you have regional sports networks and standalone entertainment companies. To make things more complex, tech companies are also looking to broaden their reach when it comes to streaming, in an attempt to help individual teams and leagues establish a direct connection while appealing to super-fans.
Source: Pexels
Uniting Audiences Across the Globe
A recent example that highlights the approach some streaming providers are taking would be the deal between Apple and MLS. They have agreed to spend at least $2.5 billion, in return for the right to stream every game over the next 10 years. The intention is to do this through Apple TV. Season tickets will have access for free, but everyone else will have to pay for content. Entertainment providers are also trying to help people embrace the experience by offering live chat, which synchronises with the live feed. People can openly discuss plays that have just been made, with other fans across the globe. It’s not just the sporting sector that is taking advantage of this either.
Casino providers often offer live streams for poker and roulette, but as time goes on, new games are coming into the fold with new and exciting features that will attract niche fans. An example of this would be the SkyCity Casino. Although they offer live dealer roulette, they have a live bingo lounge in the pipeline. When you play bingo games at SkyCity casino, you’ll be able to discuss with other players. Although there are thousands of sites out there that offer these games, the SkyCity casino and Apple are making moves to capitalise on niche markets by offering different features and enticing offers so they can stand out from the crowd.
Source: Pexels
Drawing in Advertisements and Sponsors
With greater competition, comes more subscribers. Live events are a prime way for advertisers to put themselves in the spotlight. Streaming providers use live events to play advertisers against each other, seeing who will pay the most for screen time in front of a huge, worldwide audience. For advertisers, this is a smart investment as it is one of the best ways to track who is viewing their content and in which countries.
Sports organisations want to monetise their rights even more, by expanding access to products, as well as services. An example of this would be Snickers and their partnership with the NFL. If an NFL team was to create their own streaming service with a dedicated base of fans, this would open up even more opportunities for advertisers and fan subscribers, so it’s not hard to see how competition between streaming providers is benefitting the sports and entertainment industry in more ways than one.
Although the streaming market is a current battleground, this is leading to a lot of positive movements. Teams are exploring the idea of a branded streaming funnel, and entertainment establishments are looking for additional features in an attempt to draw in fans. The future’s looking bright, and fans stand to benefit the most from this.
