Matchroom Sport Founder & Chair Barry Hearn and DAZN Exec Chair John Skipper touted their joint global OTT combat sports-focused service that is set to go live in over 200 countries on Dec. 1, with Skipper saying the platform is “going to be just like Netflix.” Speaking during SBJ and Leaders' Media Innovators virtual series, Hearn said the goal is to “let people have more choice where they can decide what they want to spend, when they want to spend it.” Skipper said they have “overwhelmingly focused” on live rights, but will look to complement that with shoulder programming and short feature documentaries.
“You get subscribers with first-tier rights that they love,” Skipper said. “You keep them by surrounding them with other great content, other great services, interactive possibilities.” Both Skipper and Hearn downplayed concerns about launching the platform at the beginning of a global recession. Skipper: “We want to plant the flag. We want people to begin to learn about the brand.” Hearn: “There's never been a bad time to roll out a global boxing platform where we can build, not just international superstars … but also develop local stars.”
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QUICK HITS:
- Hearn, on short-term implications for the media business due to the pandemic: “We’re going to see a change in trends toward younger markets because they are going to be the most active.”
- Skipper, on the recession accelerating cord-cutting: “We're transforming to the successor model which is more high value, is more convenient, more consumer-friendly, more interactive. … There is no question that sports is moving to this model.”
- Skipper, on choosing to focus more now on global sports offerings vs. the U.S. market: “There is big opportunity around the rest of the world, which is not as invested in pay TV, which doesn't have anything like the conception of retransmission consent fees. Their marginal dollar is best spent on football and boxing and sports that have a global appeal.”
