Digital media outlet Perform is embarking on a major global OTT video strategy, signing rights deals with a large collection of top-tier sports properties including the NFL, Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A to create a new OTT sports network. The as-yet-unnamed network will include live game streaming and is set to debut in international markets such as Germany and Japan in early ’16. Other confirmed launch markets include Switzerland and Austria. “Nobody has done a multisport OTT product like this with live games,” said Perform Media CEO Juan Delgado. “We’re specifically targeting markets that are ripe for disruption, particularly relative to the incumbent broadcasters and distributors, and we think there is real potential to make a big entry.” The service will also be marketed directly to Perform’s existing digital audience of more than 130 million unique users per month. The subscription-based OTT venture will supplement Perform’s existing revenue streams in content licensing and media-based advertising. Pricing for the product has not been finalized, but will likely be just over US$11 per month. Financial terms for the media rights deals between Perform and the various sports properties were not disclosed, but generally include some sort of upfront guarantees paired with back-end revenue sharing after Perform’s own production expenses are recouped. Delgado said rights negotiations are ongoing with other sports properties. To help develop the network, Perform has hired Netflix VP/Marketing Europe Ashley Wirasinha to be CMO and Amazon Instant Video Principal Product Manager Ben Lavender to be Chief Product Officer.
