In this episode of StreamTime Sports, Nick Meacham and Chris Stone break down a jam-packed week of developments in sports media. From ESPN’s long-anticipated streaming launch and Fox’s DTC entry, to YouTube’s first-ever globally streamed NFL game, they explore the major shifts reshaping media rights, monetisation, and fan engagement. Plus, they dive into EA Sports live-streaming MLS matches, the WNBA’s booming momentum, and Premiership Rugby’s £200M comeback deal with TNT Sports.

Talking Points:

• ESPN confirms a $30/month DTC bundle with Disney+, Hulu, and an AI-powered SportsCenter
• Fox Sports finally join the streaming wars - too late or just in time?
• Could YouTube’s free global NFL stream redefine live sports broadcasting?
• Is the NBA helping or hindering the WNBA’s growth by bundling their media rights?
• Premiership Rugby secures a £200M deal with TNT Sports
• MLS and Apple continue diversifying distribution by live streaming via the EA Sports FC app

Lega Basket Serie A in Italy delivered an incredible 3000 basketball games in a single week. It’s a bold demonstration of how AI is revolutionising sports production—making it faster, more scalable, and more accessible than ever before. On this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone dive into the growing role of AI in sports media. They’re joined by Patrick Olsson, CEO of Spiideo and long-time innovator in AI, who shares how their technology is enabling leagues like Lega Basket Serie A to deliver high-quality broadcasts at unprecedented scale.

Key Points:

• Overcoming production challenges with AI
• Achieving broadcast scalability without compromising quality
• How AI is unlocking new opportunities for both elite and grassroots coverage
• The story behind how Italy’s top basketball league broadcasted 3000 games in a single week

As soccer increasingly moves behind digital paywalls, a key question emerges: is the sport’s content strategy driving fans closer or pushing them away?

From the curious absence of Uefa Nations League highlights on YouTube to the rise of Amazon Prime’s one-click, low-cost PPV model, soccer’s evolving approach to accessibility is creating both opportunities and obstacles.

In this special episode of StreamTime Sports brought to you from the BlackBook Motorsport Forum, hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone break it down, examining the trade-offs between control and reach, and asking whether the industry is making it too hard for fans to engage.

Key Topics:

• Why Uefa’s decision to gate highlights behind registration walls could be turning fans away
• The critical role of YouTube in global reach and anti-piracy efforts
• How Amazon Prime’s PPV model is reshaping expectations
• Why discoverability is the key to unlocking long-term value and reducing subscriber churn