For decades, live sports have been the thread that keeps many viewers attached to pay TV. However, as the streaming video industry moves to take over rights to major live sports and the cable bundle unravels, that thread is fraying.Resource : www.radiokrka.com
Must-Have Apps for Watching Live Sports on the Go
Streaming services such as Apple, Amazon and ESPN have made a big push into live sports over the last year. For example, Apple is reportedly close to a deal with FIFA that would see it show the inaugural Club World Cup next summer in the U.S, while Amazon has a deal to show Thursday night football games for the next decade and was granted rights to MLB and NBA in 2021. And then there’s the upcoming joint venture app from Warner Bros, Discovery and Fox Corp that is expected to launch in the fall, which will offer consumers a one-stop stream for a broad selection of live sporting events.
Whether it’s to appeal to the growing audience for direct-to-consumer (DTC) services or differentiate themselves from competitors, offering live sports helps to boost user numbers for streaming platforms and can drive subscription sales. The popularity of live sports also creates opportunities for supplementary content such as pre-game shows and analysis, as well as features that encourage fan interaction like social media feeds, real-time stats and watch parties. With long broadcasts that can run for hours, live sports events help to increase viewing time on the platform and boost overall viewer engagement.