StreamTime Sports

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?

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?

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.

Jon Cruz, YouTube's global head of sports partnerships, discusses YouTube's sports strategy, NFL Sunday Ticket rights, and Primetime Channels. The podcast explores YouTube TV, engagement strategies, YouTube Shorts impact, creator collaborations in sports content, and innovative sports media monetization models.

Amid the exits of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar from the French top flight in recent years, Ligue 1 will soon lose its longest tenured broadcast partner and may be forced to launch its own OTT platform. StreamTime Sports hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone discuss the future of Ligue 1 as a broadcast product, along with some other recent news in sports streaming. Talking points: Will Ligue 1 have to launch its own OTT platform? Why did Netflix decide to acquire its own NFL package? What does Sky Sports+ mean for the UK market? Does Venu Sports need Warner Bros Discovery to tie down the NBA rights? What to make of TikTok’s introduction of 60 minute videos? Will OneFootball’s partnerships with MLS and Yahoo Sports help with US growth?

Paul Gleb, a former senior director at Bayer with a wealth of knowledge in sports marketing, joins Scott Young, co-founder of Transmit Live, who specializes in live sports technology. They dive into the evolving landscape of sports advertising in the streaming era. Topics include how ad-supported streaming can enhance subscription models and why live sports remains a premier advertising venue. They discuss the power of premium moments, the challenges of new media rights, and how technology can help brands—both big and small—maximize their advertising impact.

Robert Gottlieb, a sports media expert from Fox Sports, Jennifer Storms of NBC Universal, and Phil Cook from the WNBA dive into the dynamic world of innovative sports marketing. They discuss the modern fan's evolving profile and the challenges marketers face in engaging diverse audiences. The trio reveals how technology is reshaping marketing tactics and the impact of influencer partnerships. They also highlight the balance between keeping die-hard fans engaged while attracting newcomers, emphasizing the power of authenticity and strategic social media use.

SportsPro's technology editor Steve McCaskill and founder of Triple Crown Consulting, Lydia Fairfax, discuss the impact of big tech companies like Comcast, Amazon, and Disney on the sports media landscape. Topics include Comcast's hold on European sports, NBC's sports commitment on Peacock, Disney+ entering live sports in Scandinavia, and the repercussions of big tech investing in media rights on traditional broadcasters and fans.

Dev Sethi, a sports industry expert, delves into the athlete-driven media landscape and its booming economy. He discusses how platforms like TikTok and Instagram have transformed athletes into personal brands, directly engaging fans. The conversation also explores the impact of the NCAA's NIL policy on college athletes and the challenges traditional media faces in connecting with audiences. Sethi highlights the long-term implications for sports media as athletes leverage their influence and push for greater representation in the industry.

City Football Group's CMO Nuria Tarré discusses how Manchester City became a global brand while maintaining local spirit. Topics include fan engagement strategy for global clubs, City Studios' impact, adoption of new technologies, and balancing global brand with local fan base.