Monday, Apr. 29, 2019 – A roundup of some of the key sports technology stories you need to know, including SportTechie’s own content and stories from around the web.
- NFL Draft Sets New Cable and Digital Records: The 2019 event was the most watched NFL draft ever across cable and digital viewing channels, the league announced Monday. The three-day event reached 47.5 million total telecast viewers, up five percent from the viewing record set during last year’s draft. Coverage of this year’s event aired on the NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, as well as NFL and ESPN digital and social channels. The combined (telecast and streaming) Nielsen rating was up 11 percent over last year, while combined viewership increased by eight percent.
- First Round of NHL Playoffs Reaches Viewership Highs: NBC’s coverage of the first round of the 2019 NHL playoffs was the most-watched first round in seven years and the most-watched on cable in 25 years, according to bth Nielsen and Adobe Analytics. Cable coverage across NBC-owned platforms averaged 673,000 viewers per game, making it the second-most watched first round on cable on record (behind 1994’s 702,000 on ESPN). This year’s first round also set records as the NHL’s most-streamed ever, reaching 1.3 million unique viewers, 270.6 million minutes watched, and an average minute audience of 33,800.
- The Overwatch League Signs Bud Light Official Beer Sponsorship: Bud Light is now the official beer of the Overwatch League as part of a new deal with Anheuser-Busch. The brand will begin activating at fan watch parties around the world (excluding China) and will sponsor the league’s inaugural regular season road matches in Dallas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. ABC and ESPN2 will also telecast Bud Light sponsored broadcasts on three occasions this season. Anheuser-Busch is also planning related activations in markets spanning the U.S., Canada, U.K., and South Korea.
- French Tennis Federation Launches Streaming Service in Brazil: The Fédération Française de Tennis has launched a streaming service in Brazil for fans to watch live coverage of this year’s French Open. According to SportsProMedia, the platform was created in partnership with Brazilian telecommunications firm Vivo. This year’s Grand Slam tournament at Roland Garros takes place between May 26 and Jun. 9. “This development fits into our international strategy and, more precisely, the investment we have made in Brazil for several years,” said Bernard Giudicelli, president of the FFT.