SportsPro says…
The Uefa Champions League’s worldwide popularity is reflected in the value of its media rights deals both in Europe and beyond.
Recent growth can be attributed to the global profile of its participant clubs, an increased concentration of star players in a handful of elite teams, a greater number of matches, and more frequent clashes between the biggest names in the sport.
This decision to at least explore the idea of launching a DTC service in Asia is evidence of how Relevent is rethinking virtually every element of Uefa’s media strategy in a bid to extract additional revenue.
But it also signifies that the traditional media rights model may not be the optimal approach in every market moving forward. While pay-TV is firmly established in the US and Western Europe, there are many nations with huge populations that are not accustomed to paying for content, and definitely not expensive packages.
A relatively affordable or ad-supported DTC service could, in the long run, be a more effective way of engaging fans and generating income than by partnering with a local or regional broadcaster.
As platforms multiply, audiences fragment and media rights deals plateau, it’s time to understand what’s really going on in sports media. Join us at SportsPro London this April to learn more.
