Media companies unite to launch a new sports streaming platform
More than 100 million Americans are expected to watch the Super Bowl on February 11th, making it the most significant event in the country’s sports calendar and television schedules. In 2023, the audience for the football game was more than double that of any other broadcast that year. Despite the shift to streaming platforms, traditional “linear” TV remains the go-to for Americans when it comes to watching sports.
Could this be about to change? On February 6th, three of America’s largest sports programmers—Disney (home of the ESPN sport network), Fox, and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD)—announced a plan to bring their most valuable content to a new platform. The yet-to-be-named streamer will launch this autumn, offering a wide range of sports content, from American football to Wimbledon tennis. If successful, it could revolutionize the media industry.
Most other types of TV have already transitioned online. According to Nielsen, a ratings firm, streaming accounted for more minutes of viewing in America last year than broadcast or cable TV. However, sports remain the exception. While big tech companies have added sports to their offerings, true sports fans still rely on cable. The audiences are enormous: 44 of America’s 50 most-watched broadcasts last year were sports-related (see chart).
2024-02-08 09:40:12
Post from www.economist.com