In the digital age, content is king. With the rapid growth of online media, sports fans are now able to watch their favorite teams and players anytime, anywhere. As a result, sports broadcasters are now facing fierce competition from digital platforms.
However, unlike traditional media that is concentrated in a few hands, digital platforms are accessible to everyone. As a result, sports broadcasters have to reinvent themselves and adopt an online-first approach. Let’s explore how the Internet is changing the game of football:
The Rise Of Live Streaming
In the past few years, live streaming has seen tremendous growth in the sports entertainment industry. From international soccer matches to the US National Football League (NFL), live streaming is now a crucial part of the sports ecosystem.
There are a number of reasons behind this sudden increase in demand for live streaming. One of the main reasons is the increasing number of viewers consuming media online. According to a report by eMarketer, the percentage of global internet users who have listened to at least one cricket match live on-demand has grown from 10% in 2016 to 15% in 2018. Similarly, the number of internet users who have watched at least one live NFL game rose from 10% in 2016 to 14% in 2018.
The New Normal: Long-form Content
One of the biggest shifts in the sports broadcasting industry is the increase in demand for long-form content. Long-form content is content that is more than six minutes in length.
This demand for long-form content can be attributed to the growth of OTT platforms such as Netflix. Users increasingly want to consume content in a more detailed and in-depth manner. They now want to be able to immerse themselves in the game and watch their favorite teams and players in a detailed manner. As a result, sports broadcasting companies are now investing more in providing detailed content.
The Future Of Sports News
As the Internet continues to change the way people consume sports entertainment, the future of sports news is also likely to be affected. Already, many ข่าวกีฬา (sports news) outlets are moving their content online. For example, The New York Times is now publishing all of its national news articles online. Likewise, Sports Illustrated is also moving all of its sports content online.
As the demand for sports entertainment continues to grow, it is likely that sports news will follow suit and move to an online-first approach. This means that sports news will be found online and will no longer be confined to printed newspaper or television broadcasts.
Employing an online-first strategy will allow sports news outlets to capitalize on the growing demand for sports content. In particular, this demand is based on the long-form content that is increasingly popular in the online sports ecosystem. As a result, sports news outlets will be better positioned to meet this demand and attract even more fans.
The Rise Of Social Media
Another significant change that sports broadcasters are experiencing is the rise of social media. With the adoption of social media by the general public, it has become a part of everyday life. For sports broadcasting companies, the key to success is to build a social media strategy around their content.
For example, Twitter is now a key social media platform for the National Football League. The NFL has almost 10 million followers on Twitter and uses this platform to engage with its fans. Other than the official NFL account, it also owns the top Twitter-based sports accounts such as the @NFLCanada, @NFLUK, and @NFL_Author. Similarly, the international soccer governing body, International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), has a massive social media following of 32 million followers on Twitter, 48 million followers on Facebook, and 8 million followers on Instagram.
Smartphones As A Platform
Smartphones have become a key platform for consuming sports entertainment. Due to the improvements in mobile internet connectivity, viewers can now watch sports content on the move. In fact, according to a report, the average sports viewing time on smartphones grew from less than two hours in 2016 to over three hours in 2018.
As people watch more and more content on their smartphones, the need to view this content on a large screen has diminished. This change has led to the increase in demand for “dual-screen” viewing. For example, the National Hockey League (NHL) now allows fans to download highlights onto a phone while they are in line to maximize time spent watching this content. Similarly, fans can now use “second screen” apps while watching live sporting events to provide a more in-depth experience.
The Future Of Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) is another industry that has seen tremendous growth due to the rise of the Internet. DFS is a game where players create team lineups based on player recommendations. Unlike traditional sports where fans follow a team’s performance throughout the season, DFS players are more likely to make lineup changes based on game performance.
Sports Broadcasters Must Adapt To The Changing Media Landscape
The future of sports news is now online as more people shift their attention from traditional media to online channels.
However, this shift is not happening overnight. In fact, it has taken many years for traditional sports media to adapt to the advent of television. Likewise, it will take time for sports broadcasters to shift their strategies to meet the challenges posed by the Internet.
For example, sports broadcasters must ensure that their content is available on all major internet platforms. In addition, they must provide detailed and in-depth content that is context-driven.
Last but not least, sports broadcasters must realize that live online streaming is now the norm and that viewers expect this content to be accessible online. As a result, sports broadcasters must ensure that their online channels are user-friendly and easy to access.
In A Nutshell
The Internet has transformed the way people consume sports entertainment. From watching live sporting events to following their favorite teams and players, the Internet has made it possible for sports fans to engage with their sports in a more detailed and in-depth manner.
With the rapid adoption of online video, sports broadcasting companies have had to evolve with the changing landscape. Now, more than ever, sports broadcasting is long-form content delivered via the internet. In addition, sports broadcasters are leveraging smartphone and online video platforms to deliver this content to viewers.
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