Richard (Richie) M. Smith

Well deserved recognition for our Product and Production teams from Fast Company as we continue to deliver the future for sports fans. "For flawless blitz predictions that alter National Football League (NFL) ‘Thursday Night Football’ forever. Up until now, many televised sports broadcasts have consisted of replay analysis. Thursday Night Football on Amazon is using AI to predict quarterback pressures, providing play analysis while the action is happening and even predicting blitzes. Along with changing how we view football from our couch, this advanced technology could also be be used by coaches to future scenarios for play callers." https://lnkd.in/g3P7wxee Amazon Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios

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✅🖥️ Nielsen (10/15): “Nielsen’s September 2024 report of The Gauge™ revealed that NFL viewership this month notably reflected audiences’ familiarization with the cross-platform distribution of its games. This was most clearly indicated by the 12% bump in Amazon Prime Video viewership in September, which was driven largely by Thursday Night Football, and ultimately led it to match its platform-best share of TV (set in September 2023 and tied in October 2023) at 3.6%. Peacock also benefited from NFL-driven audiences with its exclusive coverage of Green Bay vs. Philadelphia on September 6. The NFL’s debut in São Paulo, Brazil garnered 2.6B viewing minutes, making the game the 11th most streamed program in September. The resurgence of the NFL was also evident on the broadcast side, as NFL games accounted for 14 of the top 15 broadcast telecasts in September, with the top three garnering over 3B viewing minutes each on NBC, CBS and FOX. Additionally, broadcast sports viewing was up nearly 9% compared to August, despite already coming off a 44% increase the previous month due to the surge from the Olympics. Streaming maintained its 41.0% share of TV in September despite viewership declining slightly from August (-2.2%), in line with seasonal trends. Amazon Prime Video exhibited the largest monthly growth among all reported streaming platforms in September (+12%), driven by the aforementioned Thursday Night NFL Football, as well as its original series The Rings of Power, which was this month’s third most watched streaming title with 4.3B viewing minutes.” ⬇️🏈 #streaming #tv #ctv #ott #avod #livesports #cordcutting https://lnkd.in/eJ5Js6Qq

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✅🖥️ DIGIDAY (9/20): “The NFL overhauled its app ahead of the season’s kickoff last week, placing its ad-free RedZone streaming service at the center of its NFL+ premium customer offering. At the same time, European soccer leagues including France’s Ligue 1 and Italy’s Serie A have pushed forward with their streaming efforts, with the former’s games now shown online only in the crucial U.K. and Ireland market. Sports organizations know that demand for these services stems, in part, from the complexity (and cost) consumers face when trying to view every televised match their team takes part in. NBA games, for example, are set to be split across four different media providers, while English Premier League fans would have to subscribe to Sky Sports, TNT Sport and Amazon Prime Video to follow their club’s season in its entirety. RedZone is priced lower than cable or streaming packages — $35.99 a year, compared to $59.99 for CBS and Peacock, for example — and has been available through the NFL+ subscription package as a standalone streaming service since 2023. It’s now the centerpiece of the NFL’s digital app, and a major component of the NFL’s attempt to answer that consumer demand for simplicity. The service itself is simple enough — a subscription simulcast that pulls from CBS and Fox’s live Sunday coverage, bouncing between games with no breaks and no ads (though, there is room for advertisers around the edges — DraftKings, for example, currently sponsors RedZone). The result, said Lauren Manning, the NFL’s head of product design, UX and research, is “one of the best kind of lean-back ways to watch football of any variety, on any device.” ⬇️🏈⚽️ #streaming #ctv #ott #avod #svod #tvos #cordcutting

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MLB #WorldSeries recap: -> viewership in the U.S. averaged 15.8 million across its platforms, a 67% increase versus last year and the most-watched series since 2017 -> most-watched ever in Japan with an average of 12.1 million viewers -> attendance was 50,621 per game making it the highest average attendance since 2003 -> 176% increase in engagements and 209% surge in video views compared to 2023 on social media platforms -> with nearly a $3,900 average tickets price, the 2024 World Series is the second-most expensive World Series since 2010

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There's no shortage of sports events and athletes for brands to partner with. Finding the right fit is important though. In my latest blog post, I walk through several tips for brands interested in the sports sponsorship world.

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SBC has recognized #BetVision as the #Innovation of the Year. Two years ago, we set out to redefine the live betting experience through truly collaborative effort (and new #rights class) with our partners at the National Football League (NFL). Teamwork really does make the dream work, especially through the challenges of a new technology launch with the biggest U.S. media property. Last season, fans were able to watch and bet live on multiple different sportsbooks, including the national market leader. The differentiator is low-latency at scale and #madden style graphics, but the real game changer will be the tasty #interactive features rolling out for 2024. #SportsTech #Collaboration #Techpartnerships #lowlatency #streaming #immersive

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Imagine there was a vendor offering audience data enrichment combined with an insights dashboard enabling efficient data mining to inform partnership asset development and activation that truly aligns with target consumers and fans? How exciting would it be to build a partnership leveraging consumer psychographic and behavioral insights not just geography and demographics? Sports properties that are able to operationalize their fan and audience data to this degree will set the bar for activation and partnership models in a post-cookie world. The SaaS/data solution that enables efficient utilization of that data may well be the next sports unicorn. How would access to enhanced audience data change your approach to developing, delivering, and measuring sports partnerships? #sportsbiz #sportsmarketing #sponsorship #sportsdata

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We’re not there yet in the sports world but we could reach that point soon. Where “artificial intelligence could become a meaningful sponsorship category.” Just looking at this year’s MLB Playoffs, AI advertising is on full display. Terry Lefton argues that this is only the beginning and that sooner or later, AI could emerge as its own category. I’d have to agree and seeing AI’s impact all over, there’s no sign of this movement slowing down. #Advertising #Technology #AI #BusinessTransformation

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NASCAR is at the epicenter of next-gen sports and entertainment 🏁 Let’s walk through a few of the reasons that they are positioned for a generational run over the next 10 years and why the Kansas City Pioneers are investing heavily in what they're doing. 1. eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series 🏎️💨 • Accessibility: It allows fans to experience NASCAR racing from anywhere, broadening the sport's reach. • Talent pipeline: The series can identify and nurture new racing talent, potentially feeding into real-world NASCAR. • Fan engagement: It provides an interactive way for fans to engage with the sport, increasing overall interest and viewership. • Connection to broader gaming ecosystem: By building the eNASCAR program out, it allows NASCAR to further connect with esports organizations that are on the forefront of the gaming industry. Integration with esports organizations 🎮 • Collaboration with esports teams: NASCAR partners with esports organizations like the Pioneers to bring authenticity and competitive expertise to eNASCAR events. • Content creation: Esports teams can create engaging content around eNASCAR, including behind-the-scenes looks, driver interviews, and race analysis, expanding the digital footprint of NASCAR. • Cross-promotion: NASCAR leverages the fan bases of esports organizations to introduce new audiences to eNASCAR, while also exposing traditional NASCAR fans to the world of esports. • Enhanced competition: Esports teams can bring their competitive strategies and training methods to eNASCAR, elevating the overall level of competition and excitement in virtual races. • Unique sponsor/partnership integrations: Partnerships/sponsorships with forward-thinking esports organizations help NASCAR modernize its image and appeal to younger, tech-savvy audiences with an authentic advertising approach. (i.e. QuikTrip & Price Chopper) Partnership curation in popular gaming titles 💻 • Fortnite collaboration: NASCAR has partnered with Epic Games to bring NASCAR-themed content to Fortnite and Rocket League racing, exposing the brand to millions of young gamers. • Rocket League integration: NASCAR has also teamed up with Epic Games/Psyonix to introduce NASCAR cars and decals in Rocket League, leveraging the game's car-based thematic elements to showcase NASCAR IP. • Cross-platform visibility: These partnerships in popular titles like Fortnite and Rocket League significantly increase NASCAR's visibility across multiple gaming platforms and demographics. • Event tie-ins: Special in-game events and challenges related to real-world NASCAR races help bridge the gap between virtual gaming and live motorsports, driving engagement in both spaces. By investing in the gaming space, NASCAR is positioning itself at the forefront of a growing industry while maintaining its traditional motorsports appeal. And we are all here for it... Now watch this run up 🏎️ 💨

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Sports presenters on TV could learn a lot from qual researchers. The questions they ask are so often generic, too open ended or just inane. "How does it feel to win gold?" "Talk us through how you are feeling?" "Talk us through the goal" And the result? We get generic answers. Qual researchers are masters of getting under the skin of why people feel the way they do, or behave the way they do. And they do that by asking great questions, and probing until they get great answers. Sally Mathie of Curious Alice is a master when it comes to this skill. And here's the thing. With the increasing impact of AI on our jobs, we all need to get better at asking great questions so that we can write great prompts. So there's a lot we can learn from qual researchers.

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🌍 Big3’s Game-Changing Strategy 🏀 As Ice Cube's Big3 basketball league announces the sale of its first team for $10 million, it's clear we're witnessing a pivotal transformation. The shift to a city-based format, initially with a team in Los Angeles, isn't just a change of scenery—it's a forward-looking move signaling the increasing valuation of sports teams and leagues in a world more connected by streaming services and AI innovations. This evolution shows how technology not only enhances fan engagement but also fundamentally boosts the financial dynamics of sports. As streaming and AI weave into the global fabric, expect to see an upsurge in valuations, reshaping the economic landscape of sports. The future is here, and it’s digitized, personalized, and more interactive than ever. 📈 #Big3 #SportsInnovation #FutureOfSports #Streaming #AI #SportsEconomics 100xGods Ultimate Endgamers League

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🏀 Breaking News: $76 Billion NBA TV Deal Fast Approaching 📺 As the NBA nears a monumental $76 billion media rights deal with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon, showcasing a seismic shift in sports broadcasting, Transmit's recent SportsPro StreamTime podcast episode couldn't be more timely. In it, our Co-Founder & CPO Scott Young, alongside advertising expert Paul Gelb, delve into the future of sports advertising. This episode provides crucial insights into how brands can leverage these evolving platforms. From the synergy between ad-supported and subscription models to the impact of streaming innovations, these discussions are essential for understanding the future landscape of sports advertising. As the NBA deal illustrates, the value and complexity of sports media rights are escalating, making it a critical time for advertisers to assess their strategies. Tune into our podcast for expert analysis and forward-looking perspectives that align with these groundbreaking developments. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation about the future of sports advertising in this new era! https://lnkd.in/eRdA5FUx #NBA #MediaRights #SportsAdvertising #FutureOfSports #TransmitLive

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The National Football League (NFL) was one of the first major league sports partners on Roblox and they continue to engage football fans and innovate on platform! Starting today, the #roblox community can equip their avatars with gridiron actions in the brand new NFL animation pack. The NFL has teamed up with Voldex's Ultimate Football to bring the league’s 32 teams to the popular experience. Now known as NFL Universe Football, Roblox players will now be able to lead their favorite NFL team to victory on the field and participate virtually in key events during the season. The experience is now fully customizable, allowing fans to level up their gameplay with exclusive NFL gear and merch. We can’t see how this new partnership drives a deeper connection between their fans and the teams! Thanks to the amazing partnership from Team NFL: Ed Kiang, Ben Root, Erin Comella Flynn, Samantha (Fink) Friedman, Ian Trombetta; Team Voldex: Alex S. & Harry Bienenstock and our Roblox sports partnership team Lisa (Giovanzana) Willett, Brandon Volas & Farinaz 'Fairy' Zolnasr. #futureofsports #sports #sportsmarketing #metaverse #gaming #sportsgaming

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✅🖥️ Crain’s Chicago Business (6/3): “The Chicago Sports Network is the name of the venture launching in October. The channel will stream more than 300 live games, post-game coverage and 24/7 multi-sport programming, according to a statement from the network. Both the Blackhawks and the Bulls will have their preseason games aired in October, while the Sox will make their debut on the network in 2025. The network is a partnership between the teams and Nashville-based Standard Media, which owns four local stations in Nebraska, Rhode Island, Missouri and Kentucky. The move comes as the teams' contracts with NBC Sports Chicago are set to end on Oct. 1. NBC has been the teams' broadcast channel since 2004. The network lost the Chicago Cubs when the team signed a deal with Sinclair Broadcast Group to create the Marquee Sports Network in 2020. The Chicago Tribune first reported on the aim to launch the new regional sports network in May detailing the many hurdles the teams seem to have overcome, including having to get the NBA, MLB and NHL to sign off on the plan and to work out complicated rights fees as cable providers such as Comcast have "blacked out" regional sports networks due to contract disputes.” 🏀🏒⚾️⬇️ #streamingtv #ctvadvertising #livesports https://lnkd.in/e-zmfan3

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🚀 3 Things to Know About Uplause Pulse: The Future of Crowd Energy and Engagement Analytics🚀 1️⃣ Real-Time Insights: Uplause Pulse delivers live data on crowd energy and engagement. It helps event organizers turn audience reactions into actionable insights! 2️⃣ Maximizing Engagement: This innovative tool doesn’t just measure crowd energy—it amplifies it! By understanding and responding to audience dynamics in real-time, Uplause Pulse empowers event managers to enhance fan experiences. 3️⃣ Effortless Integration: This cutting-edge tool seamlessly integrates into your event systems, whether it’s for concerts, sports, or any large gathering, making real-time audience analytics easily accessible. #EventTech #CrowdEngagement #Innovation #DataDrivenEvents #FanEngagement #Sportsmarketing

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