On today’s episode, I’m joined by Rob Pilgrim, Head of Sport & Primetime at YouTube EMEA.
Rob has spent the last eight years leading YouTube’s end-to-end sports business across the region, from commercial deals and product launches to strategy and societal impact. He’s helped build a team that’s landed global rights deals, launched paid products like Primetime Channels, and championed the platform’s role in accelerating the growth of women’s sport.
In this conversation, we explore what that future looks like — through the lens of YouTube CEO Neal Mohan’s four big bets: AI, Creators as Studios, The Living Room, and Protecting the Creator Economy. If you care about how sport is being reshaped by platforms and creators, this one’s a must-listen.
Timestamps
02:00 – Rob’s Career Journey
06:00 – YouTube’s Evolution in Sport
09:00 – What Partnerships Really Mean at YouTube
12:00 – Broadcasters as Partners, Not Competitors
15:30 – Sky Sports Case Study
17:00 – DAZN & Women’s Champions League
20:45 – Redefining “Free to Air and Rise of YouTube on smart TVs
25:30 – Fragmentation, Friction & the Future of Viewing
28:20 – Alternative Feeds & Personalised Viewing
32:15 – The Creator → Broadcaster Evolution
35:00 – Future of Exclusivity in Sports Rights
38:00 – NFL & Creator Access
41:00 – Rethinking the Media Rights Revenue Model
43:00 – The Role of AI at YouTube
45:00 – Final Thoughts
Additional Links
Connect with Rob on LinkedIn - Here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - Here
