Olympic sports, particularly the less popular ones like water polo, field hockey, volleyball, and handball, often face challenges in many countries maintaining revenue streams and fan engagement outside the high-profile Olympic Games.
However, advancements in AI and automation are providing new opportunities for these sports to sustain and even grow their revenue between Olympic cycles. Automated video production technology is becoming an essential tool in this effort, enhancing visibility, generating valuable data, and creating new opportunities for future stars to shine.
The Revenue Challenges Between Olympics
During the Olympics, sports benefit from extensive media coverage, sponsorship deals, and the potential for financial rewards from medal wins. However, once the games conclude, many of these sports struggle to maintain visibility and revenue.
The integration of AI in sports production not only improves the quality and accessibility of content but also enhances the competitive landscape, fostering a more inclusive and equal sports ecosystem."
The key questions are: How can these sports continue to grow fan bases? How can they generate the additional revenue needed to develop further? And how can they find and nurture the next generation of talent?
Democratizing the Playing Field
AI is revolutionizing sports production by making high-quality content creation more accessible and cost-effective, thus leveling the playing field for all participants. Automated production technologies such as those pioneered by Pixellot enable the filming and broadcasting of games without the need for a full production crew. This technology allows sports that haven’t been covered because of the high production costs can’t afford to be with even less popular sports to consistently produce and share content with fans, maintaining engagement year-round.
As a result, niche sports (men and especially women) and youth sports can all benefit from live and on demand video coverage which changes the games for many sport types, leagues and players. The integration of AI in sports production not only improves the quality and accessibility of content but also enhances the competitive landscape, fostering a more inclusive and equal sports ecosystem.
Benefits of Automated Sports Production
There are many benefits that automated production brings to the sports arena, the major ones being:
- Cost Efficiency: Reducing the need for large production teams lowers the cost of broadcasting games, making it feasible to cover more events, including smaller and regional competitions.
- Consistency: Ensures regular content creation, keeping fans engaged and attracting new viewers.
- Quality: Progress in camera quality and AI algorithms ensure high-quality video production with features like automatic highlights and analytics.
Popularity Surges and Youth Participation
The visibility provided by the Olympics often leads to temporary surges in popularity for niche sports. For example, during the 2016 Rio Olympics, sports like rugby sevens and field hockey saw a significant increase in viewership and participation.
According to a report by the International Olympic Committee, the inclusion of rugby sevens in the Olympics led to a 30% increase in participation in the sport globally. Similarly, field hockey saw a 20% increase in youth participation in the year following the 2016 Olympics.
Youth participation in sports often sees a boost after the Olympics, driven by the visibility and excitement generated by the games. A study by the Aspen Institute found that youth sports participation in the United States increased by 5% in the year following the 2016 Rio Olympics, with sports like gymnastics, swimming, and track and field seeing the most significant gains.
Monetization Opportunities
AI-driven sports production drastically cuts costs and opens up new monetisation avenues through enhanced fan engagement and targeted advertising.
Here are several ways AI can drive revenue:
-
Commercial Sponsorships:|
Automated production allows for consistent exposure of brands during live broadcasts, making sponsorship deals more attractive and valuable. -
OTT Platforms:
Over-the-top (OTT) platforms can leverage AI to deliver personalised content to viewers, increasing viewership and ad revenue. Highlight reels, game recaps and even club OTT’s can be tailored to fan preferences. -
Subscription Services:
Fans can subscribe to premium content, such as behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive interviews, and ad-free viewing experiences.
Enhancing the Fan Experience
AI enhances the fan experience by providing more interactive and engaging content. This not only helps in retaining existing fans but also in attracting new ones. Features like real-time statistics, interactive polls, and manual interactive viewing experiences can significantly enhance how fans interact with the sport.
Conclusion
AI and automated video technologies are a critical component for sustaining and growing the revenue of less popular Olympic sports during and between Olympic Games. A powerful tool for enhancing visibility, generating valuable data, and creating new opportunities for future stars, these technologies will play an increasingly vital role in the success of emerging sports as well as the development of athletes and team fans alike.
