StreamTime Sports

After signing last year’s historic 7-year deal, UFC 324 became Paramount+’s largest single streaming event, marking the platform’s biggest live event to date. It also represented the first UFC major event to move away from pay-per-view. In this episode, StreamTime co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone dive into how Paramount+ should be feeling after their first UFC event, key takeaways from Netflix’s Q4 results, and YouTube’s groundbreaking partnership with the BBC.Key Topics:Should Paramount be pleased with the numbers from their first UFC event? Did streaming perform well enough to justify UFC ending their pay-per-view model? Is it appropriate to credit live sports for Netflix's subscriber and ad-revenue growth? Does Netflix have a consumption problem? And why isn't sports solving it? Why is the BBC partnering with YouTube? Will other broadcasters follow the BBC's digital distribution strategy? 

Peer Naubert, CEO of Bundesliga International, leads the league’s global media and marketing push. He discusses prioritizing brand equity, the glass-to-glass production model, how player nationalities shape international fandom, the UK YouTube and creator strategy to reach younger viewers, and tailored market distribution and partnerships to boost visibility worldwide.

In this episode of StreamTime Sports, Nick Meacham and Chris Stone sit down with Graeme Smith, commissioner of South Africa’s SA20 league, alongside data and digital specialist Ellie Roach from InCrowd, to unpack what it really takes to launch and scale a modern sports league. From private investment and broadcast strategy to data foundations, fan experience and the evolving role of franchise cricket, the conversation explores how SA20 has been built at speed and with intent in a changing sports media landscape. Key Points:How and why the SA20 league was created, and what it takes to launch a competition at paceThe role of broadcast partners, equity structures and long-term media deals in de-risking growthWhy getting the domestic product right is critical before scaling internationallyHow data, digital infrastructure and first-party fan relationships were prioritised from day oneWhat SA20’s approach reveals about the future of cricket, franchise leagues and fan engagement

In this episode of StreamTime Sports, Nick Meacham and Chris Stone return with a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping sport and sports media right now. From trust and authenticity, to AI, betting, streaming strategy and the pressure on media rights models, the pair reflect on what feels different as the industry enters its next phase.Key Points:- Why trust and authenticity are becoming critical issues for sport- How AI-generated content is changing how fans engage- The growing influence of betting and prediction markets- Where YouTube fits in the current media ecosystem- Why media rights, pricing and commercial pressure are reaching a tipping point

In this special 200th episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone look back on four years of conversations shaping the industry. From standout guests and defining moments to the biggest shifts in media rights, streaming, and direct-to-consumer models, the duo reflect on how the industry — and the podcast — has evolved. They also share behind-the-scenes insights from building the podcast, discuss what’s surprised them most along the way, and look ahead to what the next phase of sports media could bring, including mergers and changing rights values. Key Points:• The most memorable guests and moments from 200 episodes of StreamTime Sports• How media rights, DTC models, and platform strategies have evolved over the past four years• Lessons learned from building a long-running industry podcast• Why personal relationships still matter in an increasingly digital sports media landscape

In this episode of StreamTime Sports, host Nick Meacham sits down with Rob Pilgrim, Head of Sport for EMEA at Meta, to explore how digital platforms are reshaping the sports media landscape. Rob reflects on his journey from YouTube to Meta, the shifting dynamics of audience engagement and how platforms like WhatsApp and Threads are becoming central to the sports conversation.  The duo also examine Instagram’s evolution from a photo-sharing app to a video-first platform, including Meta’s recent move to launch its Instagram for TV app. Rob explains why the company sees a growing opportunity for lean-back, living room consumption, how vertical video and creator-led formats are translating to the big screen, and what Meta has learned from YouTube’s rapid growth on connected TVs. Key Points:• Why Instagram’s expansion onto TV signals a new phase in short-form video consumption• The growing influence of individual creators and athletes in the sports ecosystem• The future impact of AI and wearables on fan experiences• Privacy, responsibility, and trust as Meta introduces new technologies• The importance of collaboration between sports organisations and Meta to drive innovation

Angelica Lindeberg, CEO of the Swedish Women’s Hockey League (SDHL), discusses her groundbreaking shift to a YouTube-first strategy in under 90 days. She reveals how this transition is reshaping visibility for women’s hockey, emphasizing early audience insights and empowering clubs and players to engage fans. Lindeberg shares the rapid development of their media strategy, audience engagement, and unexpected international reach, highlighting the commercial potential unleashed by this digital pivot.

In this engaging discussion, Sergio Lopes, CEO of LiveMode, reveals the secrets behind CazeTV's explosive growth on YouTube, amassing over 100 million fans. He discusses the strategic shift of YouTube from a creator platform to a major rights buyer, highlighting milestones like 43 million viewers for the Olympics. Lopes shares insights on integrating influencers to enhance audience engagement and announces plans for international expansion, starting in Portugal. With a focus on creator-led streams, he emphasizes the power of tailored advertising in sports broadcasting.

In a candid conversation, Paul Boustead, Vice-President of Product Strategy at Dolby, shares insights on Dolby Vision and its role in enhancing sports broadcasting. He discusses innovations like OptiView, aimed at personalized storytelling and ad monetization. The challenges of incorporating personalized ads in live sports are explored, along with creative ad formats that engage viewers. Paul emphasizes Dolby's mission to make sports experiences more personalized and monetizable, ultimately transforming how fans engage with their favorite sports.

Ben Morel, founder of M2C Sports Advisory and former NBA executive, dives into the evolving landscape of European sports. He discusses the commercial volatility plaguing football leagues and how the NBA sees Europe as a key growth market. Interesting insights include why broadcasters need new long-term strategies and how a new European basketball league might reshape competition. Morel outlines challenges in Ligue 1 and reflects on investment dynamics in both football and basketball, revealing the complex factors steering the future of sports in Europe.