Sports Streaming: The New Game in Town

For decades, sports teams relied on cable deals to broadcast their games. But with the rise of streaming, teams are now exploring new ways to reach fans directly. The Utah Jazz, for instance, had a long-standing cable deal but had to pivot to streaming when their cable channel shut down. They turned to a tech company called Kiswe to help launch their direct-to-consumer streaming service, Jazz+. Streaming isn’t just about reaching fans; it’s also about collecting valuable data. Each subscriber provides teams with information about who they are and what they like. This data can help teams grow their businesses by tailoring their marketing and sales efforts. Yet, streaming isn’t yet as profitable as cable was. Teams are experimenting with different models to see what works best. Some companies, like Kiswe, offer minimum guarantees to incentivize teams. Others, like Viewlift, sell their services for a flat monthly fee and let teams keep all the revenue. The future of sports broadcasting is uncertain, but one thing is clear: teams are eager to adapt to the changing landscape.