먹튀암행어사 have long been the thread keeping pay-TV customers attached. But the live sports landscape is undergoing a sea change. While legacy pay-TV still maintains current control of major live sports due to long-term rights fees, streaming video providers are grabbing hold of these events to drive subscriber growth and attract ad revenue.

The upcoming NFL season and 2024 Paris Olympics are a couple of examples of this trend. Netflix has made an investment in the NFL and NBA, while Apple is reportedly close to a deal to show next summer’s inaugural FIFA Club World Cup. And in February, ESPN, Fox Corp and Warner Bros announced Venu Sports, a new sports streaming service launching this autumn.

Why Live Sports Matters to Streaming Services

Providing access to live sports has become an integral part of many streaming service offerings as it drives high engagement and helps acquire and retain subscribers, according to a new report from eMarketer. Live sporting events create a sense of urgency and excitement that can elevate consumer experience and boost subscription growth. They also offer regular, recurring content that increases retention rates and reduces churn. Additionally, exclusive sports content can help entice new subscribers and encourage fan loyalty.

While sports can be expensive to produce, a high-speed broadband connection is all that’s needed to watch live games in HD or 4K. For that reason, sports streaming is poised to become a major player in the video industry.