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a16z Podcast | Eyeballs on the Game

a16z2019-01-02
sports#entertainment#media#content#storytelling#football#basketball
316 views|5 years ago
💫 Short Summary

The landscape of sports media is changing, with declining viewership for traditional broadcasts and a shift towards digital platforms. Emphasis is on storytelling, engagement, and gamification to capture the attention of younger audiences. New players like Facebook and Amazon are bidding for rights deals, while the relationship between live sports and streaming platforms is evolving. The focus is on creating personality-driven content, engaging with niche audiences, and leveraging social media to market athletes. Athletes are building personal brands early on, facing pressure to manage their image. Student-athletes face challenges like anxiety and social media pressure, highlighting the need to maintain a love for the game amidst external influences. Viewers seek in-depth coverage and expertise, driven by FOMO and the fear of missing out on impactful moments.

✨ Highlights
📊 Transcript
Changes in Sports Media Landscape
00:40
Traditional sports broadcasts are losing viewers due to cord cutting, leading to a decline in major properties like ESPN and Sports Illustrated.
Sports teams' value is tied to media dollars, but with declining viewership, the future is uncertain.
Organizations are paying billions for broadcasting rights, but the next generation is less interested in traditional live sports.
Audience behavior shifts among Millennials and younger generations are causing significant changes in the sports media industry.
Shift towards Multi-Platform Content Creation.
02:57
Younger generations are not connecting with traditional live broadcasts, leading to a shift towards producing content on multiple channels and platforms.
Fragmentation of audiences across various outlets is changing the way content is curated and consumed.
Storytellers now have more opportunities to reach audiences through platforms like Instagram TV, Facebook, and YouTube.
Focus on creating interactive, gamified, and engaging content to capture the attention of younger viewers, with an emphasis on storytelling and audience interaction.
Importance of engaging viewers through storytelling and digital content.
06:59
Proposing interactive ideas like audience voting and penalty boxes for broadcasters.
Emphasis on building a narrative theme to hook viewers and keep them invested in the broadcast.
Goal is to create a unique and engaging experience for fans, focusing on culture, engagement, and gamification.
Humorous suggestion of being 'voted off the mic' as a test dummy for new ideas in broadcasting.
Importance of audience retention and adjusting content based on video analytics.
08:13
Capturing viewer interest from the beginning is crucial for maintaining engagement.
Challenges and opportunities in direct-to-consumer streaming in the sports media landscape.
Long-term rights deals and their potential impacts on sports leagues and team values.
Influence of gaming and new technologies on media rights and industry disruption.
Decline in Sports Viewership
10:10
Decrease in fans attending games and rise in unredeemed season tickets.
NFL viewership has shown an increase, indicating a possible turnaround.
Innovation is crucial in the industry, with new players like Facebook and Amazon competing for rights deals.
The relationship between live sports and streaming platforms is evolving, requiring a shift towards more storytelling and interactivity to attract viewers.
Overview of niche communities and audiences in sports media.
13:09
Comparison of specific audiences in NFL, college football, and international soccer.
Emphasis on personalized fan experiences, focusing on individual players instead of just teams.
Discussion on the influence of the digital age on fandom, enabling more specific interests and connections with athletes.
Exploration of how new trends and content impact fan preferences and engagement with the game.
Utilizing personality-driven content to engage young fans and highlight the next generation of superstars like Zion Williamson.
15:59
Technology enables real-time coverage and sharing of viral plays, addressing previous issues of local and fragmented sports coverage.
The use of flashback technology allows immediate capture and sharing of key moments, revolutionizing sports media coverage.
The approach is similar to creating mixtapes off the radio, emphasizing the importance of not missing critical plays in sports.
The rise of social media has changed the landscape of sports media to be more focused on individuals, with athletes like Sian Williams using their online presence for self-promotion.
17:44
Athletes can utilize platforms like Instagram to shape their public image and attract opportunities like scholarships.
The emphasis is now on authenticity and interest to the audience rather than just athletic skill, providing new chances for young athletes to showcase their abilities.
Impact of social media on high school athletes.
19:47
Athletes like Mack McClung gaining celebrity status and brand endorsements despite not being the best in basketball.
Athletes focusing on building personal brands early on and feeling pressure to manage their image.
Social media magnifying athletes' interactions and potentially impacting their careers.
High school athletes encouraged to develop tools for managing their brands and navigating challenges as influencers in the sports world.
Challenges faced by student-athletes in college.
21:55
Issues include anxiety, depression, identity, and social media pressure.
Impact of media consumption on the purity of the game and scouting/player performance.
Struggle for coaches to understand players' motivations and external factors affecting game performance.
Emphasis on the need for student-athletes to be prepared for pressures and maintain love for the game amidst external influences.
Viewers want more in-depth coverage and expertise in sports broadcasts.
25:06
The purity of the game is increasing, leading to a better viewing experience.
Younger generations prefer faster-paced, interactive experiences over traditional game-watching, driven by FOMO.
Live sports remain popular due to the fear of missing out on impactful moments.
Social media highlights play a role in viewer participation.