Hearn leaving Sky for DAZN

[Ruthless-RKO]

Huge huge story about the Premier League rights.

With Champs League tied up until 2024, 6 Nations staying free to Air and Amazon tying up the Autumn internationals, the Rugby Premiership tied up until 2024, Cricket tied up until 2024, Formula 1 tied up until 2024 you wonder what it is that DAZN is going to go after to get a proper hold in the UK in the foreseeable.

This is going to be interesting.

Yeh, cus ONLY boxing, (depending on price) isn't gonna get a lot of subs.

People don't have a Sky Sports sub for boxing. Guaranteed. They buy it for many other sports. so watching boxing every now and again is just a bonus.

[Nondescript]

The ifl TV interview was the first time I'd heard Hearn talk about WWE. For the part of the interview building up to that point I was thinking "He's trying to emulate Vince McMahon" here......

Put aside scripted entertainment of wrestling (which I love by the way....) Vs actual sport thoughts for just a second.

WWE make their money from 4 key sources. The WWE Network (now part of NBC's online presence Peacock), built off an absolute load of new content each month - including from smaller wrestling promotions they have struck aggresive deals with - and a huge archive, Live Gates and Touring - hundreds of events a year, Merchandise sales, and a huge TV deal $435 million per year in the US driven by the right demographic watching a live event that can drive ratings but more importantly significant Advertising revenue.

And increasingly, in what is a huge financial success story (check WWE numbers), it's not about the wrestlers but the brand.

You can clearly see Hearn's strategy but boy is it a stretch to imagine Matchroom getting anywhere close based from the starting point.

I remain of the view that they are hugely reliant on DAZN landing key sporting deals very quickly to have even the slightest chance of making this something real.

Although I believe WWE numbers are dwindling - I've been thinking about how boxing has been following wrestling for a while now (since the return of PPV in boxing) and matchroom have got to be careful that WWE numbers are dwindling and the pattern is similar to boxing.... It seems like from the wrestling the "story lines" get the bigger ratings than the actual matches - the build up and hype get more attention, this might be due to the scripted element of the actual matches but boxing is following a similar pattern. The biggest PPV fight in the UK (or one of) was a mismatch but was hyped to the hilts. The KSI vs Logan Paul thing also did well and Haye vs Bellew was practically out of the WWE the way it was hyped. Though from what I have heard from people who know far more about numbers than me, the clips from the various social media platforms building up the "raw beef", which has been exacerbated by the sky sports platform - does BETTER than the fights themselves. Whilst America is the land of hype, got to be honest, some of their biggest attractions aren't about the "selling" of the fight. Canelo doesn't throw punches in press conferences. What would get better viewing figures in the UK if it was on PPV - Canelo vs Callum Smith (another quiet type) or something like Haye vs Bellew, Haye vs Chisora, Chisora vs White etc. Undoubtedly for me it would be Canelo vs Smith in the states, but the "raw beef" fights in the UK.... but even so, from what I have read its the "raw beef" that does better figures than the fights.

Now, I am not saying it has NOTHING to do with the promoters, cos it does... but FW shows don't have the sky platform to promote the beef, not yet anyway - although BT are improving here. Yet FW using social media, maybe not to the same way, but has the IFL etc but yet not only is the figures for build up to these fights much poorer, so are the ratings for the fights themselves. My worry for Eddie and the new deal is as Barry Jones stated on boxing social, in essence Eddie is leaving Sky for another allegedly - the platform is much lower and smaller. Eddie has been keen to note "who cares" when it comes to the BT cards in the pandemic - he is running the risk of doing it thimself..... in essence who really cares about Cheesman vs Fowler..... we do, but we aint going to keep DAZN afloat and without that massive platform of sky sports, he might struggle.

Just look at some of the viewing figures linked to SSN and the ESL stuff, tag a boxing grudge match next to that and you'll get interest.

Viewing figures for wrestling in general have never been lower (in the US) than they are now but WWE had record profits in 2020.

I think when Eddie said about wanting to be similar to UFC/WWE I think he means that he wants to control all elements of the shows and promotion. Both UFC/WWE have shows and promotions across the world, are brands that people go to see regardless of who’s fighting/wrestling. They have historically had amazing shoulder programming to promote their shows. This is definitely something Matchroom will be doing now too (and they already do a bit) but they be looking to give content (like 24/7 style shows pushing fights and DAZN) away for free to a freeview channel.

The UFC consistently puts on fights whereby the best are fighting the best and generally just very competitive matchups.

Boxing does that rarely.

[mickey1975]

Our Smigga put the boot in on Sky today. Basically said he’s not a company man. I believe him.

[Jimmy2020]

Huge huge story about the Premier League rights.

With Champs League tied up until 2024, 6 Nations staying free to Air and Amazon tying up the Autumn internationals, the Rugby Premiership tied up until 2024, Cricket tied up until 2024, Formula 1 tied up until 2024 you wonder what it is that DAZN is going to go after to get a proper hold in the UK in the foreseeable.

This is going to be interesting.

Yeh, cus ONLY boxing, (depending on price) isn't gonna get a lot of subs.

People don't have a Sky Sports sub for boxing. Guaranteed. They buy it for many other sports. so watching boxing every now and again is just a bonus.

Only one reason the PL will not do the auction, they know the bids will be significantly less than last time. Football has jumped the shark.

[WeepyEye]

Lots of talk that the Premier League will look to avoid the rights auction by accepting the same terms as the last year of the contract for the upcoming year.

If it happens then I’m sure that’ll piss off and impact DAZN. They’ll have been banking on some sort of package to get some decent numbers. I wonder if that’ll impact Matchroom’s thinking.

BT are looking to sell BT Sport with DAZN said to be "most keen"

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/20 ... band-push/

It's a paid link but here's the full article:

BT is in talks with Amazon, Disney and others to offload a stake in its television arm, The Telegraph can reveal, as the pandemic casts doubt over the future of sport.

The telecoms operator has appointed the investment bank Lazard to explore a partial sale of BT Sport as it focuses on upgrading Britain’s broadband network.

It is understood that BT is in talks with potential partners including Amazon, Disney and Dazn, an international sports streaming venture funded by Sir Leonard Blavatnik, the Ukraine-born billionaire.

A British broadcaster is also involved in the discussions and potentially leading the bidding, City sources said.

BT has a longstanding partnership with ITV, although has also worked with Channel 4 and the BBC. Any traditional broadcaster could seek to show more top-flight football on terrestrial television.

The same source said Dazn, which recently agreed a sports broadcasting partnership with BT’s Italian equivalent, was “most keen”.

[maverick23]

Lots of talk that the Premier League will look to avoid the rights auction by accepting the same terms as the last year of the contract for the upcoming year.

If it happens then I’m sure that’ll piss off and impact DAZN. They’ll have been banking on some sort of package to get some decent numbers. I wonder if that’ll impact Matchroom’s thinking.

BT are looking to sell BT Sport with DAZN said to be "most keen"

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/20 ... band-push/

It's a paid link but here's the full article:

BT is in talks with Amazon, Disney and others to offload a stake in its television arm, The Telegraph can reveal, as the pandemic casts doubt over the future of sport.

The telecoms operator has appointed the investment bank Lazard to explore a partial sale of BT Sport as it focuses on upgrading Britain’s broadband network.

It is understood that BT is in talks with potential partners including Amazon, Disney and Dazn, an international sports streaming venture funded by Sir Leonard Blavatnik, the Ukraine-born billionaire.

A British broadcaster is also involved in the discussions and potentially leading the bidding, City sources said.

BT has a longstanding partnership with ITV, although has also worked with Channel 4 and the BBC. Any traditional broadcaster could seek to show more top-flight football on terrestrial television.

The same source said Dazn, which recently agreed a sports broadcasting partnership with BT’s Italian equivalent, was “most keen”.

Interesting. I hadn’t heard that rumour.

[Nondescript]

Our Smigga put the boot in on Sky today. Basically said he’s not a company man. I believe him.

Roughly translated as "DAZN I'm here, I'm all yours, come and get me!"

Putting the boot in because otherwise he's out of a job.

[Nondescript]

Lots of talk that the Premier League will look to avoid the rights auction by accepting the same terms as the last year of the contract for the upcoming year.

If it happens then I’m sure that’ll piss off and impact DAZN. They’ll have been banking on some sort of package to get some decent numbers. I wonder if that’ll impact Matchroom’s thinking.

BT are looking to sell BT Sport with DAZN said to be "most keen"

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/20 ... band-push/

It's a paid link but here's the full article:

BT is in talks with Amazon, Disney and others to offload a stake in its television arm, The Telegraph can reveal, as the pandemic casts doubt over the future of sport.

The telecoms operator has appointed the investment bank Lazard to explore a partial sale of BT Sport as it focuses on upgrading Britain’s broadband network.

It is understood that BT is in talks with potential partners including Amazon, Disney and Dazn, an international sports streaming venture funded by Sir Leonard Blavatnik, the Ukraine-born billionaire.

A British broadcaster is also involved in the discussions and potentially leading the bidding, City sources said.

BT has a longstanding partnership with ITV, although has also worked with Channel 4 and the BBC. Any traditional broadcaster could seek to show more top-flight football on terrestrial television.

The same source said Dazn, which recently agreed a sports broadcasting partnership with BT’s Italian equivalent, was “most keen”.

Imagine if DAZN buys BT sport and Eddie ends up being Franks boss

[mickey1975]

Our Smigga put the boot in on Sky today. Basically said he’s not a company man. I believe him.

Roughly translated as "DAZN I'm here, I'm all yours, come and get me!"

Putting the boot in because otherwise he's out of a job.

He has been working for DAZN since their launch here.

[Twinkle Toes]

Smith made it clear on his thoughts about SKY and how the commentators are expected to perform (johnny nelson step forward)

I thought he pretty much confirmed Hearn is on his way there too.

[MightyWarrior]

Smith is full of shite, he was more than happy to tow the sky party line while taking their wages, now “taking a stand” as he’s moved over to DAZN.

It’s a bad sign the American outfit would choose a duo as dire as the mono tone Paul Smith and air head Halling ( though God knows anything is better than the sky alternative ) but boy those two are real pair of heavy arsed dullards

[Nondescript]

Our Smigga put the boot in on Sky today. Basically said he’s not a company man. I believe him.

Roughly translated as "DAZN I'm here, I'm all yours, come and get me!"

Putting the boot in because otherwise he's out of a job.

He has been working for DAZN since their launch here.

Yeah, but he can see that Sky are about to lose the contract. If Sky was about to get the contract again, would he be saying this stuff? I doubt it.

[mickey1975]

Roughly translated as "DAZN I'm here, I'm all yours, come and get me!"

Putting the boot in because otherwise he's out of a job.

He has been working for DAZN since their launch here.

Yeah, but he can see that Sky are about to lose the contract. If Sky was about to get the contract again, would he be saying this stuff? I doubt it.

He also said it a good while back on Tris Dixon’s show.

[margaret thatcher]

what exactly did he say about sky? that they force commentators to be cheerleaders?

although moving to dazn didnt stop nick halling from being a total cheerleader, a-side cock polisher lol

[mickey1975]

what exactly did he say about sky? that they force commentators to be cheerleaders?

although moving to dazn didnt stop nick halling from being a total cheerleader, a-side cock polisher lol

He implied that.

[stujones]

If you mean his comments on boxing social, I didnt interpret as that...he just seemed to imply that only him and macklin told it as it is, but didnt really say Sky forced it, but more implied the others didnt know differently

[Coco]

Out of his 9 figure deal, why doesn't he stump up for Joshua-Fury?

Why would he?

Saudis paying 150,000,000 USD

Same again in PPV money.

Absolutely no need to dip into his DAZN pot.

Exactly that

[maverick23]

So the premier league has announced a 3 year extension with its existing broadcasters so that ties things up to 2025.

Almost certainly DAZN would have been seeing this as the quickest way to get decent subscriber volumes in the U.K. particularly after the Super League disappeared.

I wonder if that changes things with Matchroom or whether they’re too far down the line.

[garethhop]

It's very interesting. Whilst DAZN are interested in BT Sport, that isn't going to be particularly a quick process and will it be a partnership or a takeover.

Underlying all of this is how we will watch our live sport going forward into the future - streaming or the current more traditional methods which still hold so strong in this country for live sport. I'm sure it will change but how quickly, and quickly enough to make DAZN a success?

[skanksta]

DAZN need to get their pics out quicker.
You can't bet IP on DAZN - with a 20s delay - and that's a massive turnoff for many. A bit rubbish for a "billion dollar" streaming service.

[maverick23]

It's very interesting. Whilst DAZN are interested in BT Sport, that isn't going to be particularly a quick process and will it be a partnership or a takeover.

Underlying all of this is how we will watch our live sport going forward into the future - streaming or the current more traditional methods which still hold so strong in this country for live sport. I'm sure it will change but how quickly, and quickly enough to make DAZN a success?

I’m not sure who’d want to buy BT Sports and keep it as things stand. DAZN may look to buy various rights deals off of them though (some or all of their premier league games, UFC, WWE, premiership Rugby).