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It's a money story, after all. South Korea has recently entered the era of "paid sports streaming" with the launch of a pro- baseball streaming package (5,500 won per month, Tving). The debate over the appropriateness of the price has been hotly debated in Korea. "The viewing value of professional baseball is 5,500 won per month The United States, long accustomed to paying to watch sports events, has recently seen the extremes of sports streaming. It has seen the rise of 'super sports streaming', which has taken over 85% of the total sports broadcast market. It's no secret that sports are good for streaming subscriptions. This joint venture platform between Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery could certainly attract a lot of subscribers. If the NFL, NBA, NHL, etc. are all on one service, it's going to get a lot of attention. You don't need AI replays or anything like that. The sports themselves are immersive. FuboTV-Led Coalition Asks Congress for Hearing on Disney-Fox-Warner Sports Streaming Platform "How much is an all-in-one sports package worth?" But the question is price. How much would Americans be willing to pay for an all-in-one sports package, and who would seek it out? It's not going to be all ESPN subscribers, and it's not going to be all ESPN subscribers. DirectMediaLab will find the right price for your sports package, but of course it has to be less than the average price of a cable TV package ($80/month). https://lnkd.in/gpghyF-H

Check out our President, Fred Santarpia’s perspective on the increased growth and investment in direct-to-consumer by sports entities in this recent Digiday article 👇 #Streaming #D2C #OTT #SportsTech

✅🖥️ StreamTV Insider (8/19): “In temporarily blocking the launch, the order stated that Fubo succeeded in showing “it will suffer imminent and irreparable injury if this Court does not enjoin the JV from launching until a full trial on the merits can be held.” The Venu Sports joint venture, announced earlier this year, brings together the collective sports assets of Disney’s ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. It intended to launch this fall, priced at $42.99 per month with a bundle of 14 linear networks as well as the ESPN+ streaming service and ability to bundle with Disney+, Max and/or Hulu. Networks include ESPN, FS1, FS2, TNT Sports, and TruTV, among others, and the entities hold rights to games for professional leagues including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and a wide range of college and other sports. Venu Sports claims to be primarily targeting cord cutters and cord nevers, with a lineup of premium sports-only content in one subscription service. Still, some industry observers previously pegged the JV as a threat to both Fubo and traditional pay TV providers that are facing broader linear TV industry declines, while recent data from Circana found non-pay TV subscribers are least likely to say they’d subscribe to Venu. Fubo for its part has been in the streaming game offering a cable-like lineup of pay TV channels with an emphasis on sports-first since its debut in 2015.” ⬇️ #streamingtv #ctv #ott #avod #svod #cordcutting https://lnkd.in/e7G89GAY

I recently had the opportunity to connect with Sam Bradley at Digiday about the increased investment in direct-to-consumer (D2C) sports streaming services. We discussed a topic I firmly believe in: D2C is no longer an ‘either or’ option and is now becoming a core element to any rights holder’s media portfolio. We continue to see more and more sports entities embrace the benefits of going D2C - audience reach, direct relationships, increased revenue and ad dollars, etc. - while complementing traditional broadcast strategies. Launching a streaming service is a long-term investment with a high-reward when a solid strategy and execution plan is in place, and why we see many leagues and clubs lean in on direct-to-consumer. Endeavor Streaming is proud to serve as a trusted partner to leading sports rights holders and owners, helping them drive sizable reach and added value for their global fanbases.

Exciting times for sports streaming! Our very own Kenny Ager, Global Head of Commercial Development at WePlay, was recently featured in Digiday by Sam Bradley, discussing the evolving landscape of sports streaming. Kenny highlighted how the shift to more flexible, pay-as-you-go models is reshaping fan engagement and monetisation strategies for sports leagues globally. Key highlights from the article include: 📈 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬: As Kenny pointed out, sports streaming is moving away from fixed-term subscriptions, offering fans more flexibility. 💡 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬: Increasing focus on offsetting consumer costs through ad monetisation, commercial partnerships, and fan engagement credits. ⚽ 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬: The National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), LFP - Ligue de Football Professionnel, and Lega Serie A are investing heavily in their streaming platforms to simplify fan access and increase engagement. 🔮 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠: Direct-to-consumer services are becoming a core part of sports rights holders' media portfolios, opening the door for even more innovation. Great insights, Kenny! 🎉 Full article here: https://lnkd.in/eat_wkzj If you want to chat about all things OTT, feel free to reach out at hello@weplay.co. #SportsStreaming #FanEngagement #SportsTech

William (Bill) Mobley - "Sadly, Like Most Things...Venu Won’t Be a True Sports One-Stop-Shop New details have emerged about upcoming sports streaming app Venu. It will launch with 14 linear sports networks and ESPN+ content at a price point of $42.99 per month. While it certainly packs plenty of sports, it’s far from a complete offering, which raises questions of who the product is actually intended for. A $43 add-on is likely a non-starter for most consumers who are already finding ways to be thrifty with their media subscriptions. For a consumer who only watches sports, Venu may make a compelling case as a cheaper alternative to a cable package. But even still, there are professional sports that remain on broadcast and cable networks not included in Venu, with NBA games potentially coming to Amazon Prime as well. Venu alone is not a comprehensive solution. Several virtual pay-TV offerings currently boast a broader sports selection than Venu, including Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo TV. While the industry has high expectations for Venu as the next must-have app, it will surely be a bust if even sports fans have to subscribe to Venu at $43 plus more on top of that to get all the sports they want to see. Sports bundling will soon be more complete, consumer-side activated tech. All in one account, all devices, and a single payment. #freecast #nextgenstreaming #streamingwars #streamingsports #nomoreappdiving https://lnkd.in/eqNqEyHx

ARE WE REALLY THINKING THIS IS NEWS? Of course they need a Streaming Platform like they needed a Cable one eons ago. And it is worth a ton more as it will be a “sticky” addition to a Streamer adding revenue….maybe…listen carefully…it’s even a premium subscription with no churn cancelation. And the advertising!!! Get over the discussion of Streaming VS…..watch for the bundles….GAME OVER! From Robinhood; “TIP-OFF NBA TV rights are finally up for grabs — with cable and streaming giants battling for the top spot Checkin’ the shot clock… NBA playoffs may be heating up, but there’s another battle brewing off the court. On Monday, the league’s exclusive media-rights negotiation window with Disney’s ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT closed without a deal. Refresher: in 2014, both cos closed a nine-year deal worth a combined $26B to air ~160 regular-season games, plus the playoffs and finals. But with the contract expiring after next season (and no new deal in place), streamers by Apple, Amazon, Google, and NBC could be tryin’ to get in the game. New team: The NBA reportedly wants at least one new “robust” flagship streaming partner that can prioritize games on their platforms. The league’s also hoping to double the $$ of its current deal. Home-court advantage… Americans say basketball’s their third favorite sport (behind football and baseball). In 2023, the NBA had its most-watched season in four years, with a record 71% of games selling out as fans splurged on stadium tix. It’s not just the men: the WNBA also scored record viewership and attendance for last year’s season. Meanwhile, the rise of college-basketball stars (see: the Caitlin Clark effect) has also sparked optimism about growing viewership. THE TAKEAWAY The sports-watching playbook is changing… and leagues are taking note. The NBA broadcast negotiations come as cable-TV demand continues to sink with shrinking overall viewership. Lots of households say they keep cable subscriptions because it’s the only way to watch their favorite teams play. That’s starting to change: the NFL, NHL, and MLB have all recently struck streaming broadcast deals. Last year, over a quarter of all US sports fans had paid for a subscription streaming service to catch a game.”

Judge Bars Disney, Warner, Fox From Launching Sports Streamer Venu: A federal judge blocked the launch of Venu, a sports streaming joint venture by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, due to concerns it would substantially lessen competition and harm FuboTV. Variety reports: Fubo launched in 2015 as a start-up focused on streaming sports programming. [...] Venu, expected to launch in late August ahead of the start of the NFL's coming fall season and priced at an initial price tag of $42.99 per month, was to carry all of the sports offerings of ESPN, Fox Sports 1 and 2, and TNT for a price that is seen as more than a regional sports network but less than a full programming package available via YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. The three parent companies are targeting a new generation of consumers who disdain the high costs of traditional cable packages are more at home with signing up for streaming venues that are relatively easy to get in and out of based on the availability of favorite entertainment programs or sporting events. Judge Garnett found that once Venu launches, FuboTV would face "a swift exodus" of large numbers of subscribers, and indicated she felt "that Fubo's bankruptcy and delisting of the company's stock will likely soon follow. These are quintessential harms that money cannot adequately repair." Fubo alleged that Venu's launch "will cause it to lose approximately 300,000 to 400,000 (or nearly 30%) of its subscribers, suffer a significant decline in its ability to attract new subscribers, lose between $75 and $95 million in revenue, and be transformed into a penny stock awaiting delisting from the New York Stock Exchange, all before year-end 2024," the judge said in her decision. "We respectfully disagree with the court's ruling and are appealing it," Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery said in a statement. "We believe that Fubo's arguments are wrong on the facts and the law, and that Fubo has failed to prove it is legally entitled to a preliminary injunction. Venu Sports is a pro-competitive option that aims to enhance consumer choice by reaching a segment of viewers who currently are not served by existing subscription options." Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Judge Bars Disney, Warner, Fox From Launching Sports Streamer Venu: A federal judge blocked the launch of Venu, a sports streaming joint venture by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, due to concerns it would substantially lessen competition and harm FuboTV. Variety reports: Fubo launched in 2015 as a start-up focused on streaming sports programming. [...] Venu, expected to launch in late August ahead of the start of the NFL's coming fall season and priced at an initial price tag of $42.99 per month, was to carry all of the sports offerings of ESPN, Fox Sports 1 and 2, and TNT for a price that is seen as more than a regional sports network but less than a full programming package available via YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. The three parent companies are targeting a new generation of consumers who disdain the high costs of traditional cable packages are more at home with signing up for streaming venues that are relatively easy to get in and out of based on the availability of favorite entertainment programs or sporting events. Judge Garnett found that once Venu launches, FuboTV would face "a swift exodus" of large numbers of subscribers, and indicated she felt "that Fubo's bankruptcy and delisting of the company's stock will likely soon follow. These are quintessential harms that money cannot adequately repair." Fubo alleged that Venu's launch "will cause it to lose approximately 300,000 to 400,000 (or nearly 30%) of its subscribers, suffer a significant decline in its ability to attract new subscribers, lose between $75 and $95 million in revenue, and be transformed into a penny stock awaiting delisting from the New York Stock Exchange, all before year-end 2024," the judge said in her decision. "We respectfully disagree with the court's ruling and are appealing it," Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery said in a statement. "We believe that Fubo's arguments are wrong on the facts and the law, and that Fubo has failed to prove it is legally entitled to a preliminary injunction. Venu Sports is a pro-competitive option that aims to enhance consumer choice by reaching a segment of viewers who currently are not served by existing subscription options." Read more of this story at Slashdot.

As huge media rights deals, like the NBA's move to Amazon Prime Video, make headlines, sports leagues are quietly investing in their streaming platforms. Take the NFL, which just revamped its app, putting its ad-free red zone service at the heart of the NFL+ premium offering. The reason? Fans are juggling complex and costly subscriptions to catch every match. With NBA games split across four media providers, it's no wonder sports organizations are creating their solutions to streamline access and boost fan engagement. Are exclusive streaming services the future of sports broadcasting? #SportsBusiness #FanEngagement #NBA #NFL #FanEngagement