

StreamTime Sports
SportsPro
A weekly podcast profiling the people, businesses and technologies driving the sports media revolution. The go-to place for sports industry professionals seeking ideas, insights and inspiration in these times of rapid transformation across streaming, OTT and digital.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 28, 2024 • 44min
Is NFL Sunday Ticket too expensive?
Topping out at as much as $740 per year, the cost for YouTube TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket has deeply upset fans. Nick Meacham and Chris Stone discuss whether or not the price tag is justified; plus the latest news on the Venu Sports injunction; Amazon’s integrations with DAZN and TNT, as well as the Bundesliga legal disputes.
Key points
Is the NFL responsible for Sunday Ticket’s premium cost?
How is Apple driving up prices?
What’s next for ESPN, Warner Bros Discovery and Fox with Venu?
Why is Amazon collaborating with DAZN and TNT Sports?
The latest on DAZN's legal action against the Bundesliga

Aug 21, 2024 • 47min
Olympics' streaming evolution and Premier League kick-off
NBC's Peacock and Discovery+ played a pivotal role in the Olympics viewership rebound at Paris 2024. StreamTime Sports co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone delve into how streaming services elevated coverage of the Summer Games, as well as covering the start of a new Premier League season and growing YouTube consumption.
What to make of the Paris 2024 viewership figures?
How impactful was streaming for the success of the Olympics?
Where did the Olympics miss opportunities?
How has the Premier League 'gone clear' of rival leagues?
Can the Premier League continue to rely on international success?
What to make of YouTube's growing connected TV consumption
Will YouTube add more sports rights?

Aug 14, 2024 • 43min
The launch of Sky Sports+ and Warner Bros Discovery's stock crash
Chris Stone, co-host of StreamTime Sports, teams up with Steve McCaskill, a tech editor specializing in sports innovations. They dive into the launch of the Sky Sports+ app, which seeks to enhance fans' experiences. Discussion highlights also include the potential impact of losing the NBA rights on Warner Bros Discovery’s finances. The duo analyzes how ESPN managed to turn its streaming business around and the significance of DAZN’s acquisition of non-league soccer, alongside examining Newcastle’s OTT platform and its subscription potential.

Aug 7, 2024 • 1h 3min
NBC gets an Olympic bounceback at Paris 2024
NBC is the biggest financial backer of the Olympics but that investment has come under scrutiny after a couple of down Games. With Paris 2024 in full swing we hear from Gary Zenkel, NBC’s Olympics president, on the broadcaster’s welcome success so far. While StreamTime Sports host Chris Stone is also joined by Steve McCaskill to discuss latest broadcast technology on display at the Olympics.
Talking points:
• What is driving the rebound of Olympics viewership?
• How is NBC looking to attract different audiences?
• What role is streaming playing for the Olympics?
• How is AI being used during the Games?
Interview with Gary Zenkel – (38:45)

Jul 31, 2024 • 41min
NBA rejects TNT and Trump golfs with Bryson
After years of speculation the NBA has finally reached an agreement for its new broadcaster partners from 2025. StreamTime Sports co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone discuss the impact of the NBA’s decision, as well as other recent sports media news.
Talking points:
Why did the NBA choose ESPN, Amazon, and NBC?
What is next for Warner Bros Discovery after losing the NBA?
What impact will Ligue 1’s new broadcast deal with DAZN and BeIN have?
Will Reddit’s partnership with the NFL, NBA, and MLB move the needle?
Why YouTube is a perfect partner for the WSL
What does Donald Trump’s appearance on Bryson DeChambeau's YouTube say about the influence of athletes?

Jul 24, 2024 • 57min
Is the NFL’s free to air approach overrated?
Whether it be subscriptions, PPV, or free-to-air, sports have been searching for the perfect way to monetise their content. On this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone discuss which monetisation models are overrated or underrated.
Talking points:
Is the NFL’s free to air success replicable?
Do linear broadcasters like ESPN and Sky still carry value?
Are subscription services such as DAZN flawed?
Can AVOD reach its full potential?
Should we see more sports offered via PPV?
Has FAST already fallen off?

Jul 16, 2024 • 55min
The return of EA Sports College Football 25
After a decade-long absence due to ongoing NIL litigation, EA Sports is finally releasing the latest edition of its college football simulation game. StreamTime Sports co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone are joined by SportsPro technology editor Steve McCaskill to discuss the role video games play in sports media. The trio also discuss how other major rights holders such as Fifa, Wimbledon and the NBA are approaching video games.
Key Points:
What are the business implications of video game licensing?
Why did Fifa end its relationship with EA Sports?
Can video games successfully help develop younger fans?
What impact can esports leagues have?
What can teams, leagues, and broadcasters learn from video game streaming platforms?

Jul 10, 2024 • 51min
Fifa's $2bn investment dream and the NFL’s class action suit
Just two years after launch and Fifa is already looking to raise $2 billion to expand its Fifa+ OTT platform. StreamTime Sports co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone analyse what Fifa is trying to do here, as well as providing their initial reactions to the NFL’s legal issues with the Sunday Ticket class action suit.
Key points:
Why did Fifa decide to originally invest in launching its own DTC platform?
Where has Fifa+ fallen short?
How will Fifa invest $2bn in the platform?
Can the NFL win its appeal in the Sunday Ticket class action suit?
What impact could the legal dispute have on future rights negotiations, fans, and pricing?

Jul 3, 2024 • 51min
The significance of major events: The Olympics, Euros and Wimbledon for broadcasters
In a summer filled with major events StreamTime Sports co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone examine their importance to broadcasters, how they differ to regular sporting competitions, and the role of social media.
Key points:
How do broadcasters assess the value of major events compared to the likes of the NFL, Premier League, and NBA?
What role do time zones play in rights negotiations for global events?
How do major events maintain fan engagement between competitions?
Should major events offer greater inclusivity to athlete marketing?
Why do events like Wimbledon and the Olympics excel in production quality?

Jun 26, 2024 • 38min
Will Apple’s Vision Pro transform sports media?
Apple’s Vision Pro and its potential impact on sports media consumption are discussed. The challenges of VR adoption, pricing strategies, and exclusive content partnerships are explored. Additionally, Apple’s legal issues with the European Commission and the implications of their control over the sports media industry are examined.