The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), owned by a consortia of public free-to-air broadcasters, has launched a new global sports DTC streaming platform that will include coverage of the America’s Cup from Spain later this year.
Eurovision Sport, is the EBU’s first DTC service, and is designed to complement event coverage of its member broadcasters.
The platform is already up and running streaming live coverage of the World Aquatics Championships from Doha until February 18. Upcoming events include the World Athletics Indoor Championships from Scotland in early March.
According to the EBU, only a third of sports fans have access to premium sports channels. It intends Eurovision Sport will “democratise access” and help grow individual sports through visibility and engagement.
Glen Killane, executive director for sport at the EBU, said, “It is difficult and expensive for sports fans to find and access the sport they love and for Sports Federations to attract new audiences. This digital platform provides a solution to both of those problems.”
The EBU manages the media rights for 14 sports on behalf of public service media, delivering over 43,000 hours of sport a year through agreements with 28 international sports federations.
Another tenet for the EBU is diversity and inclusion. It claims that its member have “the most gender-balanced range of sports rights in the market” and that women’s sports will be a key part of its strategy going forward.
Content protection and rights management specialist Nagravision--which, like the EBU, is based in Switzerland--is in charge of developing and operating the Eurovision Sport platform.
The platform will be supported by advertising, sponsorships, and FAST channels. It will soon integrate the Eurovox service, an AI-based live translation of sport commentaries that will eventually support most languages in Europe. Further innovation includes greater fan customisation of their viewing experience.
The service is available via app as well as on the web, and it will be available on Connected TVs and FAST channels later in the year.
Other events include the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Turkey, World Athletics U20 Championships from Peru, Canoeing Sprint World Championships, Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup, and the America’s Cup yacht race.
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