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

Less than a year into their partnership, DAZN is reportedly preparing to walk away from its deal with Ligue 1 in France. In this episode, StreamTime Sports co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone dive into Ligue 1’s ongoing domestic broadcast challenges and what might come next. Plus, they cover big moves across the sports media landscape—from the NFL’s holiday streaming push to updates on the FIFA Club World Cup, NBC’s Peacock, and TNT Sports.

Key Points:

• Why DAZN may be cutting ties with Ligue 1 after just one season

• Could Ligue 1 become the first major European league to go fully direct-to-consumer?

• The NFL adds a third Christmas Day game—what it means for streaming and the NBA?

• DAZN secures their first UK broadcast partner for the FIFA Club World Cup

• Analyzing reported financial losses at NBC Peacock and TNT Sports

NFL EVP and CMO Tim Ellis, alongside SVP of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing Marissa Solis, share how the league continues to innovate and expand its reach. From cultivating one of the most powerful brands in sport to turning football into a year-round media product, they unpack the strategies behind the NFL’s enduring success.

Joined by StreamTime Sports host Nick Meacham and co-host Chris Stone, the conversation dives into what fuels the NFL’s marketing engine and where it’s headed next.

Key Topics:

• The NFL’s “secret sauce”: passionate fans, smart media strategy — or both?
• Why brand image is central to the league’s playbook
• How the NFL became a 365-day-a-year media powerhouse
• The path to replicating U.S. success on the global stage

The Phoenix Suns became one of the first American sports franchises to launch a direct-to-consumer streaming platform while other regional sports networks collapsed under financial pressure. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone explore what it takes for sports properties to go DTC. They’re joined by Dan Costello, Chief Revenue Officer of the Phoenix Suns, and Wim Sweldens, Co-Founder of Kiswe, to discuss how they brought this groundbreaking platform to life.

Key Topics:

• The unique challenges teams face when launching a direct-to-consumer platform, compared to leagues and broadcasters
• Why you're leaving money on the table if you don’t offer multiple monetization options
• How the Phoenix Suns proactively pivoted to DTC as traditional models faltered
• Key considerations when selecting the right technology partners

With only months to go until the inaugural tournament, can DAZN secure enough deals to justify its 1 billion dollar investment? On this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone discuss the implications of reports that the BBC and ITV will not bid for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, as well as breaking down other major stories in sports media.

Key Points

• Why the BBC and ITV announced they are not bidding on the Club World Cup
• DAZN’s path to success for its massive investment
• The post-Messi strategy for Major League Soccer
• Apple’s evolving approach to sports media rights
• Reach vs Revenue – Comparing Grand Slam Track and the Diamond League’s media approach for athletics

From Sportradar getting paid to acquire IMG Arena, to the NBA investing in Reddit co-founder’s new 'Twitch for sports' streaming platform, there have been a series of eye-catching investment plays across the sports landscape. On this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone look to explain these big money decisions. Key Points:

• What does it mean for the NBA to 'invest' in the social live-streaming platform Playback?
• How does FloSports' $100M investment round impact its future expansion?
• Why has Indian media giant Dream Sports invested in the US market via FloSports?
• Why is Sportradar being paid to acquire Endeavor’s IMG Arena?
• How will MLS’s use of agentic AI create 'bidirectional' DTC fan relationships?