Bacon said they are looking at automated technology and new ways to integrate data into the broadcastROXXE IRELAND
The emergence of new digital media platforms and new consumer viewing habits has created a pressing need for properties and programmers to be much more nimble and quick to act than ever. A panel at the ’18 NeuLion Sports Media & Technology conference in N.Y., moderated by NBC Sports’ Carolyn Manno, explored the notion of how to balance traditional media rights while also exploiting newly emerging opportunities. “It’s really hard to figure how people are changing their consumption habits all the time. But we try,” said MLS and SUM Senior VP/Media Seth Bacon. “And it’s by doing distribution partnerships with many different outlets, experimenting with our clubs, and working with our existing media partners on different ways to deliver content and innovating. So we’re looking, for example, at automated technology and new ways to integrate data into the broadcast. Particularly when you’re a young league like us, you have to throw a bunch of stuff against the wall and see what sticks and keep trying.” That mantra of digital media innovation has also proved to be particularly a boon for smaller and niche properties, said FloSports Dir of Rights Acquisitions Lindsey Ross. She said, “You have this a la carte environment in front of you where you can fill in every single gap, and quite honestly, monetize every single gap. Ten years ago, there were a lot of sports that weren’t being paid for their rights. And those sports now making pretty nice money off their rights deals and it’s turned a corner. If I’m a rightsholder, I’m optimistic about the current environment because I’ve got a lot of options in front of me.”
Quick Hit:
* Pac-12 Networks President Mark Shuken on the changing nature of TV and video streaming: “TV used to be passive. It’s now an active medium. There is an interactive element that suggests that we need to create content in such a way ... where we have to be faster and more agile.”
