How long will high prices for sports streaming continue?
The streaming model for sports has serious dysfunctions, but no significant changes are anticipated in the near future.
The interest in soccer is evident among many fans, who follow teams like Club América and Liverpool, as well as competitions in La Liga, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. However, a large portion of the audience turns to "free" methods to watch the matches. Some fans, for example, use their accounts in online casinos to access broadcasts instead of subscribing to expensive streaming services that do not always offer all the matches.
When reviewing options on platforms like Prime Video, one can find subscriptions with a high cost. The offering, although extensive, does not guarantee total access to matches of teams like Liverpool or European leagues as a whole. To enjoy everything Prime Video has to offer, the expense could reach $1,064 pesos per month (approximately $50 dollars), raising the question of whether it is necessary to pay so much for sports streaming services.
In the past, the television business model was based on advertising and cable subscriptions, where providers needed large numbers of subscribers. Sports networks, like ESPN, benefited financially, feeling comfortable thanks to a high number of "passive subscribers" who didn't even tune into their channels. However, with the decline of cable TV subscribers and the growing popularity of streaming platforms, this system has changed dramatically.
Nowadays, sports networks have also adopted a model similar to that of streaming services, although easy access to subscriptions has diminished and the costs of broadcasting rights have increased significantly. This has led to high prices, such as MLB TV, which charges $499 pesos monthly, while the same season can be watched for free on various online casinos.
Fans often have access to major sporting events in a more affordable way, but regional sports present a different challenge. For following teams like Chivas Femenil, a subscription of $39 pesos per month would be required for Chivas TV, while following the Dallas Mavericks would involve paying $210 pesos monthly for the NBA League Pass. Although programming selection was previously controlled by sports networks, now, with broader options available, the issue is the high cost.
In light of this scenario, it is speculated that major networks like ESPN and Fox could offer viable solutions to the sports streaming dilemma. Both are expected to launch their own platforms, although their prices do not promise to be accessible; ESPN's cost is anticipated to range from $25 to $30 dollars per month, while Fox's service will be around $20 dollars. According to Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch, the focus will be on maintaining premium prices, suggesting that they expect to have few subscribers. This leaves many fans questioning the logic behind these high costs.
