The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) portrayal of environmental sustainability on YouTube came under scrutiny in a recent study. Despite a focus on positive societal impact, analysis of over 13,000 videos revealed limited attention to climate and environmental issues, with minimal self-criticism. This suggests a downplaying of Olympic sustainability efforts. For more insights, refer to the full paper.
Digital Consumption of the Paralympic Games on YouTube: Unveiling the New Sport/Media Landscape on a Platform Logic
The digital revolution, particularly through YouTube, has modified the way Paralympic Games are consumed. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) leverages YouTube to reach larger, diverse audiences, functioning both as an alternative and addition to traditional TV. The IPC must master this new media landscape, balancing content creation and audience engagement within the algorithm-based system, to ensure fair visibility for all athletes and disciplines. Peak content production and viewership typically align with major events like the Paralympic Games.
Is YouTube taking over TV in sport? Digital transformations in the sports media industry
The traditional dominance of TV as the primary medium for sports broadcasting is now challenged by digital platforms like YouTube. An academic paper discusses how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is using YouTube as a complementary platform for the Olympics broadcast. It highlights YouTube's digital advantages such as real-time access, user-driven content co-production, and versatility of communication. The paper also points out the IOC's increasing dependency on the YouTube algorithm for audience engagement and its selective focus on key user markets. While YouTube has not yet overtaken TV for live broadcasts, its role in sports consumption is undeniable.
Do football fans like VAR?
Digital transformation has impacted football not only via platforms, but also on-pitch with the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). A study analysing over 300,000 comments left on FIFA's official YouTube videos revealed that about 60% of fans disliked VAR. Fans typically associated VAR with three negative aspects: favouring bigger nations, non-neutrality of technology, and destruction of traditional football. They perceived VAR as another tool used in modern football's commercialisation and mediatisation.
Does Apple have plans for a metaverse? It might involve Apple TV+ and sport
During Apple's first fiscal quarter earnings call, Tim Cook was asked about Apple's plans for the metaverse by a Morgan Stanley analyst and Cook's reply focused solely on ARKit and all the different apps available on the App Store that benefit from those technological affordances. In a way, Cook's vision for an Apple Metaverse lies... Continue Reading →
What the Metaverse means for the Sport Industry?
In a preview post I have discussed what I envision to be the future of sport and media and hinted to a moment where our reality is augmented by the transformations coming from digital technologies. In that post I have used Star Wars' Holochess as an example of what traditional sports broadcasting will look like... Continue Reading →
Digital Revolution? Persisting Gender Inequalities in Digital Sports Broadcasting: The case of FIFA TV on YouTube
A research comparing men's and women's FIFA World Cup videos on YouTube found that while men's videos have more views and engagement, women's videos received more likes per view, showing signs of favorable engagement. These findings suggest that the digital revolution has not fully disrupted gender inequalities in sports media, but there are hopeful indicators of an increasingly equitable consumption of content.
What is the future of sport and media?
Trying to correctly predict the future of sport and media might be a daunting affair as the pace of technological disruptions and transformations rising from the digital revolution appears to be ever increasing. For instance, taking Nicholas Negroponte's famous analysis on Being Digital - a work written in the mid-90s just before the dot-com bubble... Continue Reading →
Breaking Down NBC’s Influencer Collaborations for Paris 2024: Insights & Key Takeaways
In today's YouTube video, we analyze NBC's strategy of sending 27 influencers to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. We examine platform performance, engagement levels of creators, and the rationale behind these outcomes. Additionally, we discuss how these collaborations helped NBC reach new demographics and enhance content spreadability.
Olympic Influencers: NBC’s Paris 2024 Strategy and Gender Representation
In today's podcast, we examine NBC's influencer strategy for the Paris 2024 Olympics, highlighting media convergence, spreadability, and gender representation. We discuss how influencers widened audience engagement, tackled gender stereotypes in sports broadcasting, and addressed online abuse challenges for female athletes, while considering future inclusivity in sports media.
The authenticity of influencer collaborations
Social media influencers play a vital role in sports marketing, especially as brands seek to connect with consumers through engaging content. Trustworthiness is crucial for successful collaborations, as audiences value authenticity. To maintain trust, brands should allow influencers creative freedom while ensuring transparency, avoiding exaggerated promotions, and fostering relatable content.
Future Trends in sport media: Is VR set to take over?
The future of sports media is uncertain due to rapid technological advancements, particularly in virtual reality (VR), which enhances fan engagement. While VR's mass adoption faces barriers like cost, traditional media may adapt by integrating streaming services and influencers. Ultimately, the viewing experience is evolving, reshaping how fans interact with sports.
The Contemporary Sport Media Model: How social media platforms disrupt and redefine the sport-media nexus.
The evolution of social media has disrupted traditional sports media by decentralizing communication, empowering athletes, and enabling innovative storytelling. While new formats engage younger audiences, challenges remain regarding misinformation and unregulated content. The blend of traditional and new media suggests a transformative rather than replaceable relationship, which raises questions about true empowerment versus control by tech giants.
Legacy Media: The History and its Role in Shaping Sport-Media Relationships
Traditional legacy media, particularly newspapers, radio, and television, has significantly shaped the sports landscape by creating a mutually beneficial relationship that enhances audience engagement and commercialisation. Despite evolving media dynamics, the historical power imbalance favored masculine narratives, often sidelining women's sports. Upcoming discussions will explore the impact of social media on this relationship.
The Rise of Short-Form Content in Olympic Coverage: Is This the Future?
Let’s talk sport Hey you, I'm so happy you're here, so let's talk sport together! In this episode, we dive into the growing influence of short-form content in Olympic coverage, focusing on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels during the 2024 Paris Games. We explore how digital creators and athletes engaged audiences, the effectiveness of... Continue Reading →
Digital Creators vs. Traditional Journalists: Who Delivered the Olympic Experience Better?
Let's talk sport! Hey you, I'm so happy you are here! Just in time to talk some sport! Who truly brought the 2024 Paris Olympics to life—digital creators or traditional journalists? In this exciting episode, we dive into their storytelling styles, explore how they engaged audiences, and uncover who delivered the ultimate Olympic experience. Get... Continue Reading →
Monetising Engagement ~ NBC’s Commercial Success with Digital Creators
The digitalisation of content has transformed traditional business models in sports media, exemplified by NBCUniversal's monetisation strategy during the 2024 Summer Olympics. By partnering with digital creators, NBC enhanced audience engagement and broke ad sales records. The approach leveraged niche influencers to generate new revenue streams and foster genuine connections with younger audiences.
Storytelling Through Digital Creators ~ A New Narrative for the Olympics
The evolution of sports media in the 21st century has transformed storytelling, merging traditional coverage with digital creators' engaging narratives. Influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram connect fans to athletes during events like the Olympics, fostering community through user-generated content. This shift enhances emotional investment in sports and inclusivity.
Media and Digital Transformation in Sport 