Smarter Production to Drive Growth in Niche Sports Streaming and Increase Rights Value

The world of sports streaming is changing fast, and smaller organizations are seizing the opportunity to get in on the action. Gone are the days of just watching highlight reels or DIY live streams. Now, with the right tools and strategy, emerging sports leagues like pickleball, lacrosse, flag football, and table tennis can step up their game and compete for more significant rights value.

It’s not just about audience size anymore when it comes to rights valuations. Buyers are also looking for top-notch production quality, readiness for monetization, customizable content, and flexibility across various platforms. Just look at DAZN’s massive investment in the FIFA Club World Cup for proof that digital rights are gaining value quickly.

For smaller leagues looking to stand out, flexibility in content consumption is key. By offering high-quality content that can be adjusted for different platforms and devices, rights buyers can maximize their return on investment. Smarter production technology is making it easier for growing organizations to achieve this level of flexibility.

Consistency is crucial when it comes to gaining trust and investment. Inconsistent streams and varying production quality can drive away viewers and reduce the value of rights. The key is repeatability. Leagues need standardized templates, consistent encoding, and quick deployment to ensure every stream meets a high standard.

Cloud-based and remote production models are helping leagues overcome these challenges. By unifying productions and delivering cleaner, more consistent streams, organizations like Major League Volleyball are attracting more rights partners and increasing their value.

To attract bigger rights deals, organizations need to tap into the growing world of FAST platforms. These platforms offer exposure, ad revenue, and discoverability for leagues looking to reach new audiences. Live events on FAST channels are in high demand, and intelligent versioning makes it easier to meet technical requirements for advertising and formatting.

Smarter spending, not more spending, is the key to preparing content for new platforms. Investing in elements that enhance viewer experience and rights value, like clear graphics and mobile-optimized framing, can make a big difference. Personalization, such as regional overlays and language options, can also set growing organizations apart.

For sports organizations looking to grow and attract investment, staying ahead of the game with smart production strategies is essential. By making decisions today that prioritize production quality and adaptability, leagues can set themselves up for success in the future. Smaller leagues have an advantage in this fast-changing landscape, without the legacy baggage of larger organizations.