Digital Audience Ratings For Sports, media & Entertainment

TV Built Sport & Media Empires: The Internet Will Decide Who Keeps Them

FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, the commercial model of sport and entertainment has been simple: sell broadcast rights, let television networks handle distribution, and measure success through ratings.

That model is now softening.

Across the US, rights renewals are tied to digital distribution rather than guaranteed linear carriage. At the same time, a new generation of digital-native leagues, challenger competitions and direct to consumer platforms are emerging without any dependence on traditional broadcast infrastructure at all.

For this reason, we believe digital ‘fan readiness’ will become the most valuable asset class in sport over the next decade.

Major Sports Leagues Will Go Direct To Consumer

For nearly any major league franchise such as the NFL, NBA or EPL, there is potential for increased revenues via a direct-to-consumer model and this is already beginning to happen.

The reason this has not yet become the main revenue model is not a lack of ambition – it is complexity. Moreover, the marketing contribution of major broadcasters is significant.

The hidden services broadcasters once provided will no longer sit invisibly in the background. Teams and leagues will inherit this responsibility to reach and influence fans.