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Sport is a global industry but the US towers above all others in terms of size and influence. It’s a country that has led the way historically when it comes to media, entertainment and technology, and has been at the forefront of virtually every single major innovation in sports broadcasting.
From early radio and television transmissions to cable television and the shift to digital platforms – what happens in the US usually affects every other market. Its sheer size and entrepreneurial spirit has made it a hotbed of innovation.
Indeed, no sports property comes close to the US$110 billion that the National Football League (NFL) can command for its domestic rights over the next decade, while more than 113 million viewers tuned in to Super Bowl LVII last month.
Next week, on 13th and 14th March, the world of sports broadcasting will descend upon Citi Field, the home of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) New York Mets, for the fourth edition of OTT Summit USA.
This year’s event will bring together the leading rights holders, broadcasters and innovators to debate industry-shaping subjects, address key market challenges and identify new opportunities as the sector transitions to a digital future.
The agenda kicks off with a conversation with Luis Silberwasser, the chairman and chief executive of Warner Bros Discovery Sports, about the power of premium content and the value that the newly combined company offers partners and fans.
Attendees will also hear from former DAZN chairman Kevin Mayer, who also launched ESPN+, on the future of sports broadcasting, while Jon Cruz, director and global head of sports partnerships at YouTube, will talk through the deal that brought the NFL’s Sunday Ticket to Google.
Other highlights include Rick Cordella, president of sports programming for NBC and Peacock, talking about the company’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategy, and CBS executive vice president of digital Jeffrey Gerttula talking about how CBS Sports and Paramount+ work together to address various elements of the media landscape.
Day two sees Amazon’s vice president of global sports video Marie Donoghue discuss the tech giant’s plans for sport moving forward, while the PGA Tour and ATP Media will be on hand to explain how their respective Netflix documentaries fit in with their overall media strategies.
This is just a sample of the myriad sessions taking place across two stages, featuring speakers from Bally Sports, Just Women’s Sports, TikTok, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), along with many, many more.
There will also be deep dives into some of the most pressing topics in the industry today, including free advertising-supported television (FAST), the future of regional sports networks (RSN), sports betting and monetisation, and how to appeal to a Gen Z audience.
But OTT Summit USA is more than just about content. There will be ample networking opportunities, innovative exhibitors and even stadium experiences, all housed at one of New York City’s finest modern sporting venues.
With such an esteemed lineup and delegate list, packed schedule and iconic setting, OTT Summit USA is an agenda-setting event that no one within the industry can afford to miss.
You can take a look at the full agenda here.
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