Sports Media
Search documents
OneFootball Chooses BuyDRM to Secure OneFootball Channels
PRWEB· 2026-01-27 13:59
"BuyDRM's KeyOS platform gives us the confidence that their livestreams are protected with the highest security standards while maintaining a seamless and top-quality experience our digital-native users expect nowadays." - Yannick Manuel Ramcke, General Manager OTT at OneFootball Post this More than 30 leading football broadcasters and streaming services have launched a OneFootball Channel to date, delivering live matches, highlights, and other football-related video content to millions of fans worldwide, ...
AI Par for the Course With PGA Tour’s Expanded AWS Partnership
PYMNTS.com· 2026-01-19 19:47
Core Insights - The PGA Tour is enhancing its use of artificial intelligence (AI) in content creation and distribution through an extended partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) [2][3] - The new features include a "favorite players hub" in the mobile app and website, providing personalized updates and AI-generated storytelling about golfers [2][3] - The partnership aims to connect fans with players and events more effectively, indicating a shift in how sports media utilizes data and cloud infrastructure [4] Company Developments - The PGA Tour has been collaborating with AWS since 2021, utilizing AWS for cloud services, AI, machine learning, and deep learning [3] - The expanded partnership will enhance real-time broadcasts with AI-generated graphics and statistics, improving the overall viewing experience [2][4] - Dan Glod, PGA Tour's executive vice president, emphasized the shared vision with AWS for reimagining sports content delivery [4] Industry Trends - AI is increasingly becoming a core tool in sports media, with leagues using data and cloud infrastructure for editorial purposes [4] - Other sports organizations, such as the UFC and the International Olympic Committee, are also leveraging AI for enhanced broadcasts and insights [4] - The broader impact of AI is evident across various industries, including streaming services like Netflix and gaming companies like Microsoft Xbox [5]
Comscore’s Cross-Platform Content Measurement to Service ESPN, Strengthening Audience Insights and Better Illuminating the Value of Its Fanbase (and Programming)
Globenewswire· 2026-01-07 13:00
Core Insights - ESPN will utilize Comscore Content Measurement (CCM) to gain a unified view of audience engagement across linear, streaming, digital, and social platforms, enhancing its understanding of total audience reach and programming impact [1][2] Audience Engagement - In September 2025, ESPN reached a total audience of 240.4 million people across all its platforms, with 74.6 million engaging through linear networks alone, indicating a more than 3X increase (+222%) when including digital and social audiences [3] Strategic Implications - The collaboration with Comscore allows ESPN to better communicate its reach and impact to advertisers, refine its content strategy, and differentiate its brand in a competitive media landscape [2][4] Comscore's Role - Comscore provides insights into audience overlap and platform-specific lift, along with person-level demographics that aid in content planning and ad sales strategy [6]
"Surviving Barstool" Season 5 Uncensored - Exclusive Episode Access Window on Rumble Premium
Globenewswire· 2026-01-05 13:30
Core Viewpoint - Rumble Inc. has partnered with Barstool Sports to stream the 5th season of "Surviving Barstool" exclusively on Rumble Premium before it is available elsewhere [1][3]. Company Overview - Rumble is described as a Freedom-First technology platform focused on protecting a free and open internet, encompassing cloud, AI, and digital media services [4]. - Barstool Sports is recognized as a leading sports, lifestyle, and entertainment brand with a significant online presence, reaching 200 million fans across social media platforms [4]. Content Offering - The new season of "Surviving Barstool" will feature Barstool employees competing for a cash prize, with the final winner determined by votes from eliminated participants [2]. - Rumble Premium offers an ad-free viewing experience with exclusive content and creator tools, allowing subscribers to access previews of "Surviving Barstool" [3]. Strategic Partnership - Rumble's CEO, Chris Pavlovski, emphasized the natural fit of partnering with Barstool, highlighting their expertise in creating popular content [3].
Genius Sports (GENI) Holds Citizens Market Outperform Rating Despite Arizona Legal Concerns
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-02 15:50
Core Viewpoint - Genius Sports Limited (NYSE:GENI) is considered one of the best stocks under $25 to buy, with a maintained Market Outperform rating and a price target of $17 from Citizens analyst firm, despite legal concerns in Arizona regarding prediction markets [1][4]. Group 1: Company Performance and Outlook - Genius Sports Limited provides data to traders offering liquidity to firms facing legal challenges in Arizona, such as Kalshi and Crypto.com, although formal legal action against Genius is deemed unlikely [3]. - The company held its second Investor Day on December 3, presenting a positive three-year outlook for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow, surpassing consensus estimates [4]. - Following the Investor Day, Guggenheim raised the price target for Genius Sports to $17 while maintaining a Buy rating, and BTIG reiterated a price target of $16, highlighting advertising potential [4]. Group 2: Market Context and Competition - Arizona's measures against prediction markets may impact companies like Fanatics, which holds a gaming license and has a high single-digit market share in the state, and PrizePicks, which operates under a fantasy license [2]. - The company develops and sells technology-led products and services tailored for the sports, sports betting, and sports media industries [5].
8JJ Group Announces Launch of Innovative Digital Platform to Unite Cricket Fans Across South Asia Ahead of 2026 Season
Newsfile· 2025-12-13 02:52
Core Viewpoint - 8JJ Group is launching an innovative digital platform aimed at uniting cricket fans across South Asia, enhancing engagement through live match coverage, local-language news, and interactive games [1][2][3] Group 1: Platform Features - The platform will provide local-language news at 8jjsports.com, live match experiences at 8jjcricket.com, and interactive games at 8jjgames.com, fostering authentic connections among fans [3][6] - A points-based system will reward fans for their comments, predictions, and shared posts, promoting ongoing loyalty and engagement [6] Group 2: Community Focus - 8JJ Group emphasizes a people-centered vision, viewing the platform as a movement to connect diverse cultures and languages under one digital roof [7] - By prioritizing community, 8JJ aims to transform the cricket experience in South Asia, fostering loyalty and genuine connections beyond just the matches [8] Group 3: Anticipation and Launch - The official launch is set for the 2026 season, with growing anticipation among cricket lovers in the region [7] - 8JJ Group is positioned as a sports media startup dedicated to building genuine connections among cricket fans through a blend of content, gaming, and community features [8]
TV broadcasters on a sticky wicket: Global cricket economy heads towards major correction on weaker profits, smaller budgets
The Economic Times· 2025-12-10 00:00
Core Insights - The broadcasting industry is facing a significant correction due to shrinking advertising budgets, weaker TV profitability, and ongoing streaming losses, leading to a reassessment of payment capabilities [1][14] - Industry consolidation, particularly the merger of Star India and Viacom18 into JioStar, has reduced competition for major cricket properties, impacting rights pricing [1][12] Broadcasting and Rights Pricing - The previous model where broadcasters absorbed losses while rights owners profited is no longer sustainable, contrasting sharply with the $10 billion committed to cricket in the 2022-23 cycle [2][14] - Rights prices are expected to correct due to consolidation and regulatory changes, with predictions of a 40-50% drop in ICC and BCCI rights and up to a 20% correction in IPL rights [6][15] ICC and Financial Implications - The ICC is in a precarious position, struggling to secure firm bids for its 2026-29 cycle, with no interest shown for its $2.4 billion valuation [8][15] - A decline in India rights income would significantly impact ICC member boards, particularly the BCCI, which contributes nearly 80% of ICC revenue [10][11] Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - The merger of Star India and Viacom18 has led to a substantial reduction in competitive intensity, with both companies previously spending nearly $10 billion on cricket rights [12][15] - Global streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video remain cautious due to misalignment with the advertising economics of live sports, limiting their interest in large cricket packages [13][15]
ICC on a sticky wicket as JioStar seeks to exit deal
The Economic Times· 2025-12-07 18:27
Core Insights - The ICC is initiating a new sale process for India media rights for 2026-29, seeking approximately $2.4 billion, following a previous cycle valued at $3 billion for 2024-27 [1][24] - JioStar has indicated it cannot fulfill its media rights obligations due to significant financial losses, leading the ICC to approach other platforms like Sony, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, but interest has been limited due to pricing concerns [1][24] - The Indian market accounts for nearly 80% of ICC revenue, highlighting its critical importance to the sport's financial ecosystem [9][24] Financial Performance - JioStar has more than doubled its provisions for expected losses on sports contracts to ₹25,760 crore for 2024-25, up from ₹12,319 crore the previous year, reflecting the financial strain from long-term sports rights [5][24] - Star India reported a standalone net loss of ₹12,548 crore for the year ending March 31, 2024, primarily due to provisions related to its ICC media rights deal [6][24] - Despite JioStar's losses, the ICC reported a surplus of $474 million in 2024, indicating strong economic fundamentals for cricket [7][24] Market Dynamics - The asking price for ICC media rights remains high, deterring established players like SPNI, which has adopted a conservative approach to cricket rights [10][24] - The ban on real-money gaming has created a significant revenue gap of approximately $840 million (₹7,000 crore) for cricket advertising, further complicating the financial landscape [11][24] - The merger of Star India and Viacom18 into JioStar has resulted in a duopoly in sports broadcasting, limiting options for rights holders like the ICC [17][24] Valuation Concerns - Initial valuations for ICC rights have been viewed as disconnected from market benchmarks, with SPNI bidding around $1.4 billion and Viacom18 approximately $1 billion for combined rights [19][24] - JioStar's financial burden has increased to about $3.3 billion due to rising dollar rates and rupee depreciation, as ICC payments are dollar-denominated [21][25] - Global spending on sports rights is projected to exceed $78 billion by 2030, with Asian spending expected to rise significantly, driven in part by Indian cricket [22][25]
Comcast (NasdaqGS:CMCSA) 2025 Investor Day Transcript
2025-12-04 19:02
Summary of Versant's Inaugural Investor Day Company Overview - **Company**: Versant - **Event**: Inaugural Investor Day - **Date**: December 4, 2025 - **Key Speaker**: Marc Lazarus, CEO Core Industry Insights - **Industry**: Media and Entertainment - **Market Position**: Versant aims to be an industry-changing force in sports, news, and entertainment, with a diversified portfolio of 11 well-known brands [10][12][30] Key Financial Projections - **Fiscal 2025 Expectations**: - Revenue: $6.6 billion - EBITDA: $2.2 billion - Free Cash Flow: $1.4 billion [14] Strategic Focus Areas 1. **Diversified Portfolio**: Versant operates across four large growing markets: - Business news and personal finance - Political news and opinion - Golf and athletics participation - Sports and genre entertainment [15][30] 2. **Live Programming**: - 62% of Versant's audience comes from live programming, which is a significant driver of viewership [21][23] - Exclusive live events across sports, news, and entertainment enhance audience engagement [23][37] 3. **Digital Expansion**: - Plans to grow digital platforms like GolfNow and Fandango, and to develop new offerings [25][44] - Acquisition of Free TV Networks to reach non-pay-TV households [40][43] 4. **Audience Growth**: - Targeting both existing pay-TV subscribers and non-subscribers through various distribution channels [39][40] - Emphasis on reaching younger, digitally native audiences through partnerships and new services [56] Market Opportunities - **Business News and Personal Finance**: - Market size: $20 billion - CNBC is the leading global business media brand, with a 40% increase in retail investors since 2019 [16] - **Political News and Opinion**: - Audience growth of 35% since 2019, with MSNBC leading in ratings and digital presence [17] - **Golf Industry**: - Market size: $45 billion, with Versant capturing 40% of all golf hours watched [18] - **Sports and Entertainment**: - Market size: $200 billion, with 700 billion hours watched in the industry [19] Competitive Advantages - **Brand Strength**: Versant's brands have near-total awareness and strong loyalty among audiences [19][20] - **Exclusive Content**: The company focuses on exclusive, high-quality content that drives viewership and engagement [31][33] - **Experienced Management**: A seasoned management team with a strong vision for growth and innovation [14][15] Future Growth Strategies - **Investment in Premium Content**: Continuing to leverage brand strength to deliver exclusive content [31][32] - **Expansion Beyond Pay-TV**: Exploring new distribution channels and experiences to reach a broader audience [39][40] - **Acquisitions**: Strategic acquisitions like Free TV Networks and Indie Cinema to enhance service offerings and audience reach [26][46] Conclusion - Versant is positioned to capitalize on significant growth opportunities in the media and entertainment industry, leveraging its strong brand portfolio, exclusive content, and strategic investments to drive shareholder value and audience engagement [30][32][47]
SEGG Media Exceeds 100 Million Views Across All Platforms as Global Sports & Entertainment Expansion Accelerates
Globenewswire· 2025-11-25 17:03
Core Insights - SEGG Media Corporation has surpassed 102 million views across all platforms, marking a significant milestone in its history and reflecting the momentum of its media ecosystem and creator network [1][5][6] Growth Drivers - The growth in views is attributed to increased interest in Racing Women and the Kerala Super League, alongside a rapidly expanding global social media presence [2][5] - SEGG Media's sponsorship of Racing Women and the Kerala Super League has significantly contributed to its international traction [5] Company Updates - SEGG Media is moving towards a 51% acquisition of Ant Media and Productions, which will enhance its premium content offerings for Sports.com Studios [3][4] - The announcement of Ant Middleton's SAS Trilogy for 2026 has garnered substantial media coverage globally, indicating strong interest in SEGG Media's content initiatives [3] Strategic Initiatives - The newly launched Sports.com Studios is focused on creating premium sports storytelling and digital programming, which is expected to further build audience engagement [6] - The global rollout of the Sports.com app is ongoing, aimed at enhancing user experience and engagement [6] Leadership Insights - The Chairman and CEO of SEGG Media emphasized that breaking the 102 million views milestone validates the company's transformation strategy and growth plans [6] - The CEO of Sports.com Media highlighted the unprecedented velocity of growth across various content channels, positioning Sports.com as a global destination [7]