The National Women's Soccer League, or NWSL, recently entered into deals with CBS Sport and Twitch for the rights to stream soccer matches for a duration of three years. CBS Sports will stream a total of 87 soccer matches, and 71 of them will only be available through CBS's All Access. The agreement with Twitch dictates that 24 select matches will be streamed for free to users in the United States.
The new agreements will begin on April 18th and it will give a larger number of people access to the league. If these streaming deals are successful it could have implications for other sports leagues, who may enter into similar agreements in the future.
Free Soccer Streaming Agreements
Twitch and CBS Sports Will Stream Soccer NWSL Matches
Trend Themes
1. Increased Streaming Agreements - The NWSL's recent deals with CBS Sports and Twitch to stream soccer matches could lead to an increase in streaming agreements for other sports leagues.
2. Exclusive Content Streaming - CBS Sports' decision to make 71 soccer matches only available on CBS's All Access platform presents an opportunity for other sports leagues to create exclusive content and drive viewership.
3. Streaming Sports for Free - The agreement between the NWSL and Twitch to stream select matches for free in the United States demonstrates the potential for streaming platforms to offer free access to sports content, disrupting traditional broadcasting models.
Industry Implications
1. Streaming Platforms - Streaming platforms like CBS All Access and Twitch can capitalize on the increased demand for sports streaming by securing exclusive rights and offering free access to attract viewers.
2. Sports Leagues - Sports leagues across various disciplines can explore streaming partnerships to expand their reach and engage with a wider audience, following in the footsteps of the NWSL's agreements with CBS Sports and Twitch.
3. Broadcasting Networks - Traditional broadcasting networks can adapt to the changing landscape by exploring streaming partnerships and offering exclusive content to compete with streaming platforms like CBS All Access and Twitch.