2023 Featured Sessions

This year’s summit brought together more than 90 experts in the leading sports broadcast industry, across 50+ sessions. From keynote discussions, to fireside chats and panel debates to tech showcases, take a look at the array of content we had on offer across the two days.

What's next for amazon?

Marie Donoghue
VP, Global Sports Video

Marie Donoghue outlines the technology giant’s global sports strategy, including their acquired hosting rights to the Premier League, NFL, and various premium properties. Topics include:

  • What approach has Amazon taken to rights acquisitions?
  • How does the Prime Video strategy align with Amazon’s wider
    business?
  • How does the global strategy fit into regional markets?
  • The strategy behind creating a dedicated Prime Video app for live
    sports streaming.
Marie will also be receiving the ‘Executive of the Year’ prize, announced at the SportsPro OTT Awards 2022 for her work leading Amazon Prime’s sports services through a disruptive and successful year.

KEVIN MAYER ON THE FUTURE OF SPORTS MEDIA

Kevin Mayer
former Chairman

We’re joined by Kevin Mayer, a titan of sports media and best known for leading the launch of Disney’s streaming platform Disney+, to discuss the role of betting and streaming in sports, as well as pinpointing the trends that will shape the future of sports media. Insights include: 

  • What are DAZN’s fan engagement strategies and how do they plan to engage Gen Z audiences?
  • The future of sports broadcasting: It’s expensive, but can a streaming business be built on sport alone?
  • What’s next for growing the DAZN brand in North America?

Behind the Deal: YouTube TV x NFL Sunday Ticket

Jon Cruz
Director, Global Head of Sports Partnerships

In December, 2022 Google’s YouTube secured the rights to the highly sought after NFL Sunday Ticket. A landmark deal that signals how Big Tech is reshaping the market for live sports rights. In this exclusive session YouTube’s Director and Global Head of Sports Partnerships Jon Cruz will discuss the latest broadcast deal and what it means for all involved.

  • Why did YouTube win the deal ahead of their big tech competitors?
  • How will the partnership help drive growth for the NFL out of market games?
  • What range of new features and technical innovations is Google working on ahead of debut season?
  • What makes YouTube a unique proposition for live sports?

Going D2C with NBC Sports

Rick Cordella
President, Programming

NBC Sports & Peacock Sports’ recently appointed President of Programming, Rick Cordella, discusses the company’s sports strategy. Topics include:

  • What steps has NBCU taken to add more live sports to its offering?
  • What’s unique about Peacock as a platform for sports?
  • What’s the significance of Big 10 deal for NBCU and Peacock specifically?
  • Why English soccer’s Premier League is such a key property for the platform.

Bally Sports+ on changing the RSN game

Michael Schneider
COO & GM

Michael Schneider, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Bally Sports+, will outline why the Sinclair Broadcast Group owned company launched a direct-to-consumer platform last year and what the future looks like for RSNs in the US. Specific topics include:

  • Why are RSNs integral to super serve local passionate sports fans?
  • What are the challenges of launching a direct-to-consumer platform in the current climate?
  • How does the Bally Sports plan to monetise its OTT platform?

Making the Mystics: A career in sports and broadcasting

Sheila Johnson
President and Managing Partner

Since founding Black Entertainment Television in 1979, Sheila Johnson has enjoyed huge entrepreneurial success in both sports and broadcasting industries, amongst others. Most recently, Johnson has acquired stakes in the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. Her session will cover:

  • How the broadcast industry has shifted and adapted, including the dominance of OTT
  • Why the WNBA represents an important investment and growth opportunity
  • What the future looks like for the WNBA and women’s sports in the USA

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