In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone are joined by Richard Kearney, Senior Director at MediaKind, to dive deep into the evolving world of subscriber acquisition and retention. Drawing on his experience at Paramount and Showtime, Richard shares how AI and machine learning are redefining content recommendations, user engagement, and platform growth.The conversation dives into how sports and entertainment streamers can balance personalisation with discovery, reduce churn, and maximise subscriber lifetime value. Key Points:How is AI revolutionising content recommendations and enhancing personalisation for streaming services?What role does improved content discovery play in boosting retention and engagement?Can too much personalisation actually harm user experience or business growth?How are sports platforms using AI to analyse content and enhance fan engagement in real time?What AI-driven strategies are helping platforms navigate market challenges and stay competitive?
DAZN’s move to absorb FIFA+, Apple’s $750 million bid for Formula 1, and LaLiga’s struggle to stay relevant — this episode unpacks the business stories behind the biggest headlines. Co-hosts SportsPro's CEO Nick Meacham, and Community Lead Chris Stone dissect what these deals reveal about the global sports rights landscape, evolving streaming strategies, and the growing “squeezed middle” of leagues caught between the giants. Key points:Was FIFA’s deal with DAZN driven by strategy or financial pressure?How much influence does Saudi Arabia’s SURJ investment have on DAZN?Can Formula 1 continue to grow without ESPN’s editorial reach?Why is Apple’s investment a smart long-term play?What do LaLiga President Javier Tebas’s comments about pan-European deals reveal about the state of media rights in Europe?Are we entering an era where only the biggest leagues can survive?
In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone sit down with David Salmon, EVP and Managing Director of Tubi International, to discuss the platform’s rapid global expansion and its unique advertising-led streaming model. They explore how sports are becoming a key driver of engagement for Tubi’s international growth, particularly in emerging markets like Mexico. Plus, the duo previews what to expect from the SportsPro Media Summit 2025 in Madrid. Key Points:How is Tubi expanding globally as a free, ad-funded streaming platform?What role does sports content play in driving Tubi’s growth in emerging markets?Why are advertising-led models resonating with younger, cord-cutting audiences?What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for mid-tier sports federations?What can attendees expect from the SportsPro Media Summit 2025 in Madrid?
Netflix and Amazon are betting big on live sports to drive subscriber growth, boost sponsorship revenue, and deepen audience engagement — transforming the media landscape in the process. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone explore why streaming giants are racing to secure live sports content, from the Champions League to Amazon's Skins Game revival. The duo breaks down how sports are reshaping their platforms, the shifting broadcast landscape, and the billion-dollar deals changing the game. Key Points:Why is Amazon choosing to revive the Skins Game, and what does it mean for golf streaming?Does the UEFA Champions League fit into Netflix’s broader sports strategy?What do streaming giants like Amazon and Netflix gain from investing in live sports?Why the ECB believes digital clips and highlights can be as valuable as live coverage.Who is responsible for the death of pay-per-view in sports?
From generative content creation and multilingual commentary to athlete performance analysis, AI remains the hottest topic in the sports industry. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone bring you highlights from two of the most insightful conversations from SportsPro AI Summit, featuring former #1 NBA draft pick Greg Oden, alongside industry heavyweights Peter Hutton, David Gibbs, and Louise Lawler. Key Points:What are the most impactful use cases of AI in sports media?Can AI generate emotional and engaging content for fans?How should sports organizations approach AI responsibly?How did Greg Oden transition from NBA star to AI investor?Why are athletes increasingly drawn to tech startups?How is AI reshaping athlete performance and development?
Having built the Cowboy Channel to over 100,000 subscribers, former guest David Guinan now shares his plans to grow Table Tennis TV to similar heights. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone explore the key stages, decisions, and challenges involved in launching and scaling a challenger sports streaming platform.Key Points:What are the critical decisions to make before launching a streaming platform?How should platforms handle subscriber milestones and the growing pains that come with scaling?How do new platforms balance what sits behind a paywall versus what is offered for free on social media?What are the most common mistakes made when launching a sports streaming platform?
Terence Crawford and Canelo Álvarez’s title fight helped Netflix draw a record-breaking 41 million viewers — a milestone that could reshape the future of live sports. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone explore how Netflix is disrupting traditional pay-per-view models and challenging the status quo of sports broadcasting. The conversation also spans Ligue 1’s subscription experiment, Amazon’s surprising partnership with The Masters, and the WNBA’s impressive growth this season. Key Points:Is Netflix about to make pay-per-view obsolete?Will platforms like YouTube and Netflix become the new gatekeepers of live sports?Can Ligue 1’s new €15-per-month platform survive?Why did Amazon choose The Masters, and why did Augusta choose Amazon?How significant is the WNBA’s viewership growth, even with Caitlin Clark sidelined?
FIFA claimed 2.7 billion people tuned in to this summer’s Club World Cup, but what is the truth behind the numbers? In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone dig into the reality behind FIFA’s staggering stats, DAZN’s billion-dollar gamble, and YouTube’s live NFL broadcast. They also unpack which metrics matter most for streaming, what Apple’s next move in Formula One could mean, and why Pluto TV is betting big on handball. Key Points:Can FIFA’s claim of 2.7 billion Club World Cup viewers be trusted?Has DAZN’s $1 billion investment in the tournament paid off?What did we learn from YouTube’s live NFL broadcast of Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers?Which metrics matter most for live streaming compared to linear?Does it make sense for Apple to acquire Formula One’s U.S. rights?What makes Pluto TV’s handball deal a smart play?
With the new season underway, the NFL is leaving no screen untouched. Co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone break down the league’s bold broadcast strategy, from teaming up with YouTube creators like MrBeast and IShowSpeed, to expanding free-to-air access in the UK, and even NBC selling out every Super Bowl ad before kickoff.Key Points:Can the NFL prove through YouTube that its advertising model is the future of broadcasting?What impact will the NFL’s partnership with content creators MrBeast and IShowSpeed have?Should fans be concerned that NFL RedZone is introducing commercials?How significant is it that NBC sold all of its Super Bowl advertising before the season kicked off?Why has DAZN taken on a sublicensing deal with ESPN for college football?What do the WSL’s international broadcast moves mean for women’s soccer?Is UFC Fight Pass the reason ESPN was willing to let the MMA promoter move to Paramount?
UFC’s recent $7.7B deal with Paramount, along with Ligue 1’s partnership with Amazon, highlights how content protection is influencing today’s media rights agreements. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone are joined by content security expert Olga Kornienko, COO and co-founder of EZDRM. Together, the trio explore how streaming has transformed the approach to content protection and the financial risks of not securing distribution. Key Points:How are media rights deals being shaped by the growth of piracy?Why is content security not just an issue for the NFL and Premier League, but for all sports?How has the acceleration of sports streaming changed the playbook for protecting content?What technologies and innovations — such as DRMs and double encryption — are making life “really annoying” for pirates?
The top-flight German soccer league has taken a bold and innovative approach to its broadcast strategy in the UK market. Live coverage of this season’s action spans Sky Sports, Amazon, BBC, and YouTube, offering multiple ways to watch — from subscriptions to free-to-air and pay-per-view. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone share their thoughts and hopes for how this strategy plays out. Key Points:What characteristics of the UK market led the Bundesliga to take a new approach to distributing its games out of market?Should we expect this approach to fundamentally impact domestic broadcast deals?Why did the Bundesliga select YouTube and content creators as broadcast partners?Which of the Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 approaches will have the biggest impact in the race to become the leading foreign league in the UK?
In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone break down how UFC's evolving media strategy could signal the end of traditional pay-per-view.They break down Paramount’s big-money move for UFC rights, why ESPN stepped aside, and what this shift means for niche sports, bundling, and the future of global broadcasting. They also look ahead to what’s next for Fubo and Hulu partnerships in the U.S., and whether piracy could shape the future of bundling in Europe.Key Points:What does ESPN’s sports-only bundle mean for UFC content?Could the UFC’s deal with Paramount mark the end of pay-per-view?How are sports media dynamics shifting in the U.S.?Will piracy influence how bundling evolves in Europe?What’s next for Fubo and Hulu partnerships in sports broadcasting?
Gary Hughes, Director of Football at Sky Sports, sits down with StreamTime Sports for an exclusive interview, revealing the expanded coverage and new features coming to Premier League fans this season. Co-hosts Chris Stone and Nick Meacham also take audiences behind the scenes of the Sky Sports Premier League Kick Off media day. Key Points:Why has Sky Sports significantly increased its Premier League coverage this season?What new features and content will fans get this year?When might the 3pm blackout rule finally end?How Sky Sports plans to deliver 1500 live football matches this season. Why is Sky Sports committing more resources to WSL and EFL coverage?
YouTube is the largest global video platform, but who should be using it and how? On this episode of StreamTime Sports co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone unpack the hype, hope, and truths about the platform, as well as discussing whether ‘owning’ your audience is even possible. Packed with case studies and industry stats this is your guide to the latest strategies on YouTube.Key Points:Is YouTube now a ‘big screen’ sports platform? And what does that mean for right holders?When should a sport make YouTube its primary channel?Is owning your audience possible?How are organizations like the PGA Tour and NBA winning on YouTube? Also, how are smaller clubs Udinese, Minnesota United, and Verona punching above their weight?Why entertainment shouldn’t be considered a threat to sports?
The NFL and ESPN have struck a landmark deal, but what does it mean when a rights holder becomes a stakeholder? This episode breaks down the strategic implications of the NFL Media handover, ESPN’s evolving content mix, and why these moves could reshape the future of sports broadcasting. Also on the agenda: DAZN’s latest global grab with NHL.TV, new signals from Apple’s MLS data drop, and how the WSL is approaching their TV programming strategy. Key PointsWhat the NFL Media handover and equity stake mean for sports mediaWhy rights holder equity deals are risky ESPN’s identity crisis - Is this a return to live sports or just strategy reboot?DAZN’s global play: NHL.TV, subscription bundling, and the end of pay-per-view?Apple’s MLS 120K average viewers — strong growth or messy metrics?WSL & beer in stadiums: New kickoff slots, fan experience changes, and UK culture shifts
With Formula 1’s ESPN broadcast deal set to expire, speculation is swirling around which platform the series might land on next. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone debate whether Apple would be the right partner — and what the trade-offs could be. The duo also breaks down Deltatre’s acquisition of Endeavor Streaming, Nick’s conversation with Roger Mitchell on YouTube-first strategies, and ESPN’s quiet entry into the Nordics under Disney+. Key Topics:Is Formula 1 risking its reach and sponsor value by going exclusive with Apple?What does Deltatre’s acquisition of Endeavor tell us about where the value lies in the streaming tech race?Can ESPN become a major player in Europe? Or is Disney testing the water with low cost rights and brand familiarity?Are investors betting too heavily on media rights growth? Is YouTube the smarter long-term play?Why is the PGA Tour blocking Grant Horvat and other creators from filming?
How are teams like the Buffalo Bills saving $120,000 a year while delivering content faster than ever? In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone are joined by Andrew Fingerman, CEO of PhotoShelter, to explain how AI is revolutionizing content creation. The conversation dives into how sports organisations can turn content chaos into commercial value. Key Points:How can teams save money by automating content production and reinvest their resources?What does it take to get gameday content from camera to social media in under 60 seconds?How are teams empowering athletes to become real-time content distributors — and why does it matter?Why is your content archive one of the most valuable tools for fan engagement and long-term ROI?How are sports organisations turning everyday content into sponsor-ready, revenue-generating assets?
From Dream Sports’ staggering user base in India to Overtime having three of the most-followed teams in the world you’ve never heard of, there’s much for investors to consider. On this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone share their learnings from the recent SportsPro Investment event, as well as exclusive feedback from the inaugural StreamTime Connect event. Key Topics:Will Ligue 1’s bold €15/month direct-to-consumer package pay off?Is sports investment preparing to boom?How do investors approach media assets compared to unicorn tech startups?What challenges do established and startup media businesses face in raising capital?Which platforms and formats are driving value for non-live content?
In this packed episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone discuss the latest stories shaking up global sports media. From Netflix landing the Canelo vs. Crawford fight and introducing programmatic ads via Yahoo, to RTL snapping up Sky Deutschland for €150M, the landscape is shifting fast. The duo also break down why Ligue 1's DTC experiment may be stalling, how Dyn's €80M valuation could reshape underserved sports, and the eye-watering IPL viewership that leaves Western leagues in the dust.Key Topics:Can Netflix end boxing’s PPV model?What could France’s TF1 deal with Netflix mean for other national broadcasters?How will Ligue 1 resolve its broadcast issues before next month’s season kickoff?Why should everyone be paying attention to the IPL’s viewing figures?What does Comcast’s sale of Sky Deutschland tell us about sports media values?Could Dyn Media be the future of sports broadcasting?What’s really behind the new Premier League x Microsoft partnership?
Piracy is costing the sports industry an estimated $28 billion annually — and the issue is only growing more complex. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone are joined by Paul O’Donovan from MediaKind to explore the causes and affects of the rising threat of piracy. From legal loopholes to changing sports distributions strategies, the trio dissects the industry's most pressing issue.Key Topics:How has piracy evolved? And what does its growing sophistication mean for the future of sports media? Why must rights holders prioritise security from one, not as a reactive fix?Can the industry strike the balance between accessibility, pricing, and perceived value?What role do big tech platforms and streaming devices play in enabling or preventing piracy?Is it time for a fundamental shift in how live sports are distributed and monetized in the new digital age?