This week, NBC is unveiling SportsEngine Play, a streaming service designed for live games and on-demand video content catering to youth and amateur sports. The technology for this service was developed by Rapid Replay, a streaming startup acquired by NBC in September last year.
In June 2016, NBC Sports Group made its entry into the youth sports arena by acquiring Sports Ngin, a software company specializing in software and apps for youth sports organizations. Over the years, NBC expanded its footprint in the industry, acquiring more than a dozen technology firms, all consolidated under the SportsEngine brand.
Will McIntosh, President of NBC Sports Next and Fandango overseeing SportsEngine, mentioned, “We’ve always been thinking about how we really connect SportsEngine better to that great history and lineage of storytelling of NBC Sports.” The service, known as SportsEngine Play, has been in beta mode since July, gathering user feedback and making necessary improvements. Through this service, users can watch live youth sports events across the U.S. and access highlights and other on-demand videos.
NBC has traditionally been associated with major sports leagues and events like the NFL, major Division I athletic conferences, PGA Tour, Notre Dame football, and the Olympics, which involves large financial commitments and long-term relationships. However, the youth and amateur sports sector is far more fragmented, presenting challenges in understanding the landscape and conducting business efficiently.
The SportsEngine Play service is available for free for live game streaming, with additional features available for a fee, including on-demand game viewing, access to editing tools, and hundreds of hours of instructional and development videos featuring retired athletes like Michael Phelps, Larry Fitzgerald, Kerri Walsh Jennings, and Megan Rapinoe.
Subscription plans for SportsEngine Play cost $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. While live streams are free, NBC plans to generate revenue through advertisements during these games.
McIntosh envisions the integration of SportsEngine Play with NBC’s broadcast and cable channels and Peacock service. NBC is also exploring potential partnerships, such as flag football with the NFL, where SportsEngine Play could stream local and regional youth competitions while the national championship airs on NBC or Peacock.
