FIFA takes on streaming companies with its own soccer platform

April 12, 2022

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FIFA is entering the streaming platform space with a soccer version Netflix or Amazon Prime.

The service is free and features a lot of documentaries. But, FIFA could use it to broadcast World Cup matches at a fee.

FIFA+ will be used to promote sponsors by the governing body, as well as positioning itself as a challenger to media companies.

“There is no plan to charge a subscription fee for the service, that doesn’t mean to say that we may not evolve over time should there be a value proposition that allows us to charge subscription if we step into premium rights or adopt other kind of models,”Charlotte Burr, director of strategy for FIFA, said. “But there will always be a free experience on FIFA+.”

Geo-blocking can be used for limiting matches broadcast on FIFA+ in certain territories. FIFA did not make clear whether the platform would be accessible to all viewers. This is because each federation can sell the rights, and some confederations bundle them together.

FIFA stated that live matches would be from competitions with no coverage. There were initially 1,400 games streamed each monthly.

FIFA could shift content from YouTube to broadcast classic sports matches and political events. The FIFA Congress in Qatar was not streamed via the long-standing video sharing site like it was previously.

Kay Madati, chief FIFA commercial officer, stated “we’re a bit more strategic about what goes where and when.”

April 12, 2022

0 430 1 minute read