Over the last few years, increasing numbers of sports-based productions have been created for video-streaming platforms. Fundamentally, this represents a positive change from pre-existing strategies regarding the sector’s on-screen development. While, in the past, sporting insights have typically been delivered through motion pictures, ever-growing numbers of production companies have sought to experiment with a series-orientated style in recent times. So, let’s consider why the genre is enjoying success at streaming platforms.
Consumer Demands for Heightened Insight
Following the emergence of both Amazon Prime and Netflix in the digital era, both platforms have been the home to a wide array of highly-regarded sports documentary series. Due to the competitive nature of top-level sports, access to internal matters has long been opposed. However, as a result of consumer demands, the genre has reached new levels of popularity. As stated by Inside The Games, although the presented content is generally club-controlled, the intrigue surrounds their insightful nature and, in many cases, respective failures.
Across a whole host of various documentaries, including Netflix’s Drive to Survive and Sunderland ‘Til I Die, the integrated content revolves around internal struggles. This is particularly evident within the latter title, which showcases all that is right and wrong with English football, according to TheGuardian.com. Moreover, the pending release surrounding Tottenham Hotspur is also set to predominantly feature adversity in the form of Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking and the club’s subsequent difficulties.
As well as films, books also provided unrivaled insights into the operations of professional sporting outfits in prior years. That said, the streaming war between the likes of Amazon and Netflix has been the catalyst for the genre’s renaissance. Although the market has yet to reach audience figures that mirror real-time sports, their creative ascendance has played a pivotal role in the production of increased documentaries at streaming platforms.
The Ability to Attract New Audiences
Fundamentally, however, another factor behind the flourishing nature of sports-centered content concerns the convenience that streaming platforms provide viewers. As per an article at Computer World, contemporary technology has resulted in a shift that has altered consumer habits. Crucially, the change revolves around the ability of modern-day streaming platforms to provide instant access that favors episodic television and lean-in entertainment.
In addition to streaming services aiding in enhancing the appeal of independent shows compared to films, the genre has also been at the forefront of the entertainment betting industry. The new betting niche intertwines the attraction of television and streaming with online betting in creating a sector that allows prospective bettors to immerse themselves in a vast spectrum of entertainment options. While you can follow betpal.com for all entertainment odds, the platform highlights the ability to bet on things such as the WWE. With over 500 events each year, television fans can bet on the action, which is available to stream at the official WWE website, thus manufacturing an immersive way of engaging in streamed sports content.
A Genre That Looks Set to Stay
Ultimately, because of their insightful nature, few can argue that sports-based, episodic productions haven’t taken the streaming industry by storm. Due to that fact, it appears likely that more behind-the-scenes developments will continue to hit the market in the coming years, particularly when you factor in the genre’s new-found ability to attract a diverse range of viewers.
