Apple and March Madness. What's the Connection?

Apple Computer is to bring condensed versions--we're assuming this means "the best bits"--of all the 2006 NCAA Division I Basketball championship games to the iTunes Music Store. The college ball games will be available for $1.99 apiece the day after they air on CBS' College Sports TV--a channel that's heavy on howling university entourages, clamorous cheerleaders and tussling wunderkinds.

Yet it looks as though the tech bellwether would prefer customers to splash out on a "Season Pass" feature on iTunes for $19.99, thereby receiving condensed versions of all 63 games the day after they are played for viewing on a computer or a video iPod. Much like a podcast, every game will automatically be placed in a customer's download queue the day after it airs on CBS, and will be available for download once a user logs into iTunes.

March Madness on Demand
Creating an on-demand service for NCAA championship games through iTunes presents a true disruptive innovation opportunity for media and streaming industries.
Condensed Version Sport Event Streaming
Developing an option to stream condensed versions of sports events to mobile devices or computers through subscription services is a potential innovation opportunity for sports and technology industries.
Sports Event Season Passes
Offering season passes for sports events on-demand, much like video and music services, provides a new opportunity for streaming and sports industries to innovate.

Sectors Adopting This

Media Industry
Live streaming sports events and offering them on-demand is a disruption opportunity for media corporations and providers.
Streaming Industry
Developing on-demand services for sports content would streamline streaming and encourage exclusivity for video and audio networks.
Sports Industry
Offering season passes to sports events could transform the way consumers view and access live events, creating an opportunity for sports corporations and leagues to innovate.
SCORE
3.3 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen X
  • Millennial (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 71%
Activity 21%
Freshness 8%

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