In today's world the access in to information is in the palm of almost everyone's hands and the information is practically endless. With the growth and technological advancements of the internet, people don't have to wait long, go far, or even exert to much effort to find solutions to problems or questions. And if there isn't a computer near by, people can just pull out their smart phone and boom instant access to a world of information.
Recently a couple of interesting articles, blogs, and comments made in my digital advertising class have brought my attention and curiosity to a theme that could be in the realm of future possibility. On rEvolutionworld's blog they had a post about live-streaming sports and how the professional sports world are using different outlets, like the internet, other than TV for fans to have access to live sporting events. Another article from the Sport Business Journal talks about how long-time, popular show "Around the Horn" and "Pardon the Interruption" seemingly are loosing viewers. Except they aren't, people are just watching in different ways, like streaming on WatchESPN, and not in the traditional way of TV. The third instance that made me think more and more about the way people are consuming sports and or TV was in my Digital Advertising class when my professor said that he doesn't even have cable. Everything he watches or news that he researches is all done on his computer, where he streams shows or videos that he wants to watch.
With my busy class schedule and extra curricular this year I have really been giving great thought to also canceling my cable because 1) I'm sometimes not home to consume it so I'm paying for a service I'm not using; 2) I'm a sports junkie so what ever sports news, videos, podcasts, and information I could possibly want I can find online; 3) It could possibly be cheaper to use Netflix, WatchESPN, Hulu, YouTube, or even some other outlet instead of continuing my TV service. So if I'm thinking this, my professor is doing this, how many other people are contributing too?
Currently there are various ways for consumers/fans to stream live sports with out cable, all they need is an wi-fi connection and boom they can access. Such examples are:
WatchESPN
Apple TV
NFL Sunday Ticket
Even XBox 360 and PS3 have access to stream live sports. With fans consuming sports in a variety of different ways, it opens up new segments and opportunities to reach them. Now live streaming hasn't taken over TV, but that doesn't say that it couldn't or won't.
As marketers, whether in the sports world or not, we have to look at this possibility/trend that is going on so that we can effectively take advantage and tap into this opportunity that presents itself. More and more the digital word is becoming a gold mine for adverting and a new way to reach fans and the audience.
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