Times are changing, and how people consume media is one of many things that are evolving by the day. The younger generations of adults may have had an upbringing where they are more comfortable using digital methods to consume media. Much like when people moved (largely) away from print media to online media, we’re seeing a shift in the way things are done.
Thriving social media presence
It is estimated that 62% of the world’s population uses social media in some way, shape or form. There are many different ways in which people can log in and access games, watch shows, and communicate with each other.
Sports broadcasters may have historically focused more on the fact that they are creating programs for longer broadcasts. These still do very well among certain generations – just look at the revenue generated by events like the Super Bowl! However, there are changes in behavior patterns and it may be just a matter of time before more people are consuming online and through social media.
Most major broadcasters have already noticed this, and instead of sticking with their old methods, many have started putting together highlight packages and creating more media that is perfect for streaming on Facebook and X. This could come in the form of highlight packages, for instance.
Lessons from the Casino and iGaming Industries
An industry that has seen a huge change in digitalization is the casino industry. North America has led the way with a lot of shifts in regulations and the option to play more games throughout the whole of Canada and the US. There are now options for high rollers as well as modest hobbyists, and even $5 deposit casinos in Canada have undergone a lot of changes from the days of physical casinos, through to modern slot and table game options that are available at online casinos.
People now consume this media digitally, including the way they find information about casinos, meaning that it could be an example for sporting brands. Sports and iGaming are already closely linked in many ways, including sponsorship.
Live streaming options
People still want live coverage of sporting events but may not want to consume this the same way as before.
Watching live via a television screen is something that not everybody is as keen to do these days. We’ve entered the world of mobile media and people are just as likely to watch a game on their phone or tablet.
Live streaming may come from a brand’s own platform, or it may also be able to use other sites like YouTube and other huge platforms. Some have even taken to sharing their analysis and highlights on platforms such as Twitch, which is appealing to another generation of younger viewers.
Twitch has been crucial to a shift in the types of sports and games that are viewed. Modern-day viewers will find that esports are just as popular as some of the other sports, and younger players might head towards these to view the top fixtures and most interesting sports.
Understanding different sports and how they are changing
How are the different sports actually changing? Well, it is possible that the fabric of the sports themselves are altering to the point where broadcasters might change their focus. A lot of the younger generation is more interested in shorter-format sports or even esports. Look at the way the sport of cricket has evolved, for example. It used to be played over five days and viewed mostly in person, but the game has seen a lot of different evolutions. Now, there are shorter formats such as One Day Internationals and even T20 tournaments where the game is limited to a much shorter period.
Younger generations are finding they have less time to spend at these events – or they are just finding that they prefer shorter formats and games that don’t take days to complete. This could be why cricket is one sport that has been focusing on options that are reduced in time.
Broadcasters may also be wise to check where young eyeballs are focusing at the moment. Traditional sports are being joined by esports, which many people are watching, and by including these in their broadcasting repertoire, it is possible that the existing broadcasting companies can potentially embrace the kinds of games that the younger generations are interested in, and keep their viewing figures high.
