Sports looms big in menu of OTT content players

26th June 2016
Sports looms big in menu of OTT  content players

Bangalore, June 26 2016: Over-the-top content providers like SonyLIV, Hotstar etc are adding value to their subscriptions through the addition of original content everyday. It’s not just dramas and comedy shows that will help OTT players gain ground.  The acquisition of major sporting rights is a natural next step for streamers.
The big OTT operators in the country have embraced live sports to fulfill their ambitions of becoming dominant player and seize the mantle from the dedicated sports broadcasters. However, premium broadcasters and cable networks, such as ESPN and Star Sports currently control those big-ticket rights, and no OTT player has participated in rights battles on the sports front. The high cost of those rights currently is keeping OTT companies on the sidelines. The growing popularity of subscription OTT players in India indicates a change is in the wind.
Considering the excitement fans have for each game and the very real option of being able to watch each of their favorite teams, streaming media will continue to gain.
 The growth in mobile and digital technology is making it easier for consumers to access content whenever and wherever they want.  SonyLIV with rights for UEFA EURO 2016, Carribean Premier League 2016,  ,International Champions Cup 2016/ Premier Futsal League 2016/ Tennis - ATP 1000 2016 Rogers Cup/ Toronto, Tennis - ATP 500 2016 Citi Open/ Washington DC etc and Hotstar with IPL/Cricket World Cup T20/Pro Kabaddi are leading the sports battle among the OTT players in the country. This battle promises to get hotter as new players are entering the category and gearing themselves up with tools and techniques to grab the eyeballs.