Facebook’s move into Sports Broadcasting is an exciting development for grassroots sport
/Facebook announces new big deal to show all La Liga games in the Indian Subcontinent. Is this another step towards a change in the way we consume sport?
Facebook has just signed a deal to show all of Spain’s elite competition in the Indian Subcontinent. That includes viewers in India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, The Maldives, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Initially that might not strike you as the hotbed of football passion but it’s a warning shot from the emerging online viewing platforms to the traditional establishment.
Over-the-Top (OTT) streaming services such as Facebook Live allow the consumer to connect wherever they are and engage with top content.
The Indian Subcontinent boasts 348 million Facebook users in the region, 270 million of which are in India. Not a bad prospective audience, especially when an exclusive deal restricts them to only watching games on their platform. Ronaldo is a loss but Messi remains.
When most of us think of sports broadcasting we think of Sky Sports’ coverage of the new, exciting world of the Premier League, ITV’s coverage of top flight games or Match of the Day with the now ever-present Gary Lineker. But the face of sports coverage is changing, and rapidly.
Only back in June, Amazon announced they were taking a slice of the pie with 20 English top flight games to be broadcast on their online streaming service next season. It’s a move into the British sporting conscience that is commonplace in the US with Thursday night NFL games streamed on Amazon and Major League Baseball finding it’s home on Facebook.
So what does this mean for the broadcasting big boys?
Well put simply they’ll need to sharpen up. Gone are the days of Sky monopolising the market. BT ruffled their feathers a few years ago and these online streaming platforms mean business and will be here to stay. This won’t necessarily spell the end for of “Super Sunday” or “Monday Night Football” but it does signify intent from competitors and something Sky and BT will need to be aware of.
Where is sports broadcasting heading?
What it does mean though is that there is a wider way in which we can all view and enjoy live sports, and not just at the top level. Over-the-Top (OTT) streaming services such as Facebook Live allow the consumer to connect wherever they are and engage with top content. The big bucks will remain with the elite levels but this doesn’t mean the grassroots has to stand idly by. New revolutions in technologies have allowed broadcast quality production to filter down the sporting pyramid.
And that’s where we hope to come in! FilmMyMatch is the filming solution for any team from the elite to the grassroots. Using our specialist extendable mast systems (HI-POD) we are able to capture HD footage from an elevated angle at any location. Couple this with our newly developed streaming service and you have "The Grassroots Broadcaster". We are able to apply on-screen graphics live and allow your own Motty to bring events to life with live commentary, all on viewing platforms such as Facebook and YouTube that the traditional broadcast channels now can’t ignore.
With a commercial value attached to this new technology we also have the capability to change the way amateur and semi-professional sports clubs generate revenue. It’s a no-brainer and where the sports market is heading, don’t get left behind.
For your chance to get involved in the most exciting development in sport, visit www.filmmymatch.com email info@filmmymatch.com or call 0800 233 5503.
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