Twitter has started live streaming sports -- Wimbeldon to be exact. Right now the new feature is in its testing phase but the concept of live streaming isn't new. Live video feeds have also been introduced on other social media platforms like Facebook. Periscope, itself, is an app wholly dedicated to live streaming.
While watching Wimbeldon on Twitter, viewers can also see tweets related to the tournament on the same screen. When a user comments on the feed the hashtag #Wimbeldon is automatically added to it. The feed is streamed from Wimbeldon's own Twitter account and can also be accessed on a separate page dedicated to the real-time stream. The company has stated the "live-stream is an extremely early and incomplete test experience, and we'll be making lots of improvements before we launch it in its final form."
Twitter has also signed a deal earlier this year to live stream NFL games. Considering how quickly major events (i.e. Superbowl, the Oscars, Grammys or NBA Finals) tend to trend on Twitter in real time, the ability to live stream the events will give users and viewers a more integrated and interactive experience, which will likely increase traffic to the site.
What's Driving This Trend
- Live Sports Streaming
- Live streaming of sports events via Twitter and other social media platforms presents opportunities for companies to collaborate and bring sporting events to viewers worldwide.
- Integrated Social Media
- Twitter's integration of live sports streaming with real-time related tweets creates opportunities for companies to capitalize on the powerful synergy of social media engagement and live event broadcasts.
- Real-time Interactive Experiences
- Real-time interactive experiences for sporting events offered by Twitter and others can provide opportunities for companies to create new and engaging marketing campaigns year-round.
Who This Affects Most
- Sports Broadcasting
- Twitter's live streaming of the NFL and Wimbeldon demonstrates opportunities for companies in the sports broadcasting industry to actively seek out partnerships and collaboration to broadcast major events on social media.
- Social Media Advertising
- The integration of live event streaming with social media engagement presents opportunities for companies in the social media advertising industry to develop innovative advertising campaigns that take full advantage of the interactive nature of their platform.
- Marketing and Brand Development
- The widespread reach and integration of live sports streaming on social media offers opportunities for companies to develop creative marketing and branding campaigns that engage viewers with real-time content and interactivity.
