Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

Just noticed this debate from a few weeks ago about sports rights and streaming:They do bid, though. Amazon has grabbed a package of premiership rights, albeit a lowly one. And why do you think they won't make a return on their investment?

Of course, nothing is definite here, but I'd suggest that by grabbing one package of football rights and showing other sports from boxing to golf, Amazon has clearly shown it is VERY interested in sports.

If the streaming companies and especially the tech companies like Amazon and Apple get serious about sports, that will blow the current pay tv model out of the window. Sky and BT simply cannot compete against the likes of Apple and Amazon.

Apple's streaming service launches in a few weeks, so we'll get a idea about how serious they are about streaming then.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

From memory the package that Amazon brought , was originally left unsold in the rights bidding, as no one was prepared to pay the amount required. It was then picked up by Amazon a greatly reduced price. It will be interesting to see how they make money out of one round of matches.
I cannot see consumers spending a small fortune for different streaming companies content. The only way it will be cost effective for the consumer will be for the streamers to be bundled together as linear channels are now.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

I think Amazon were just testing the waters with grabbing that package of matches, but the real money will be made if they really go for it in the future and outbid Sky and BT for top premiership packages.

On paying for different streamers, if anyone wants all content at all times, then it will get very expensive, but if most people are prepared to cherry pick what streamers they want in any given period, it maybe much cheaper than today's pay tv bundles.

The only caveat I'd add to that, is sport. If sport is on several different streamers and people want to watch all their live sports, which I'd imagine they'd want to rather than watching things several months after they've been shown, that could become hideously expensive. I'm interested to see what Disley does with sports streaming considering they own ESPN.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

It will be interesting to see what Disney does with ESPN sports streaming. Their venture into the UK linear tv market did not end well despite all the money they have they simply could not make it pay.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

This is the big difference between streaming and having channels. Quite often the media companies licensed their content out to other broadcasters, or when they did have their own channels, the content available on them was severely limited. Disney's (ABC's) main shows were licensed to other UK broadcasters, so were never available on Disney's own channels.

If Disney, Comcast and the others do streaming properly, the streamers should be:

1. Global.
2. Contain vast libraries of content permanently available.
3. And cheap would be nice too. :)

Disney has said their Disney+ service will be cheaper than Netflix, but it all depends on what's on their service.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

None of the global streamers want to pay vast sums for rights that are only available to people living in the UK it's simply not worth it.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

I agree. As I said, that Amazon bid was testing the waters, but I think they've already shown their hand as to their future intentions and it won't be just limited to one country.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

And yet as you have put very succinctly more then once some still seem to think that the streamers will bid huge amounts for UK sports rights when this is simply not going to happen as the sums do not add up and never will do.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

So are you suggesting someone like Amazon will try to bid for worldwide rights?

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

Correct, also neither side will say how much they paid.

I agree with your analysis, they would need to pay more and snatch one of the proper packages to get a presence - with BT possibly backing out of the market next time and Sky not able to have all the packages, there could be an opportunity for someone else to move in.

Then we shall see how serious they are and how much it will cost per month!

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

Yep. The streamers are already doing it with tv drama and films, sports is the next battleground.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

Sports is completely different , the streamers can do what they want but at the end of the day it's the rights holders calling the shots.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

I don't think one Company could afford the risk. The Worldwide rights just for Premier League would break the bank and would not be allowed by the authorities.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

And you think the Premier League will refuse a multiple billion pound bid from Amazon for global rights?

Look, I'm not saying that this is going to happen any time soon, but clearly Amazon have shown their hand and are interested in sports. So for this country, if they were to bid for more premiership packages in the future, they will bundle sports into other things like free delivery, music streaming etc. How long could Sky/Comcast and BT compete against that?

Next step would be global competitions, Olympics and the World Cup come to mind here. Do you really think FIFA would reject a massive offer from Amazon for global rights? We know what FIFA are like with regards to feathering their own nests...

And lastly, would be the global rights to domestic events like the Premier League. Its rising in popularity in America and already has millions of viwers in Asia. It's a potential gold mine for a global streamer.

---------- Post added at 19:56 ---------- Previous post was at 19:53 ----------

Amazon and Apple are trillion dollar companies and no doubt, Google and Microsoft not far behind.

Why would the authorities get involved?

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

Multiple billion pound bid ?

You do realise that both BT and Sky combined are paying the Premier League nearly £4.6 billion in its latest rights deal.

The Middle East and China plus other overseas markets are growth markets some netting the Premier League nearly double the previous rights , I can't see the league committing all their global rights to one provider it just wouldn't make sense.

As for bundling multi billion dollar UK rights into a Prime subscription how much is that likely to push up Prime especially for those who don't like Football.