Sports Streaming platform DAZN is adding its first original programming series with the debut of “The Journey: Canelo/Rocky.” The first episode of the three-part series premiered last night on DAZN’s platform and YouTube channel.
The program takes fans behind the scenes of the Canelo Alvarez-Rocky Fielding super middleweight championship bout scheduled for Dec. 15 at Madison Square Garden. Starting today, the series will also air on regional sports networks including NBC Sports, Fox Sports, MSG Network, NESN, and in Spanish language on Univision Deportes. The championship fight between Alvarez and Fielding will be Alvarez’s first fight in his 11-fight, $365 million partnership with DAZN.
“DAZN continues to evolve as the sports network of the future and high-end content focused on our biggest boxing events is part of the plan,” said Joseph Markowski, DAZN EVP, North America, in a prepared statement. “Fight fans are more educated than ever and we want to be an integral part in preparing them for the best and biggest fights of the year.”
Episode two of “The Journey” will launch Thursday, Dec. 13 and the series’ finale epilogue will debut Friday, Dec. 21. Bilingual television and film actor Jamil Camil will narrate the series. In the U.S., a monthly subscription to DAZN costs $9.99 per month.
SportTechie Takeaway
In addition to deals with some of Boxing’s biggest stars, DAZN has secured live streaming content rights with MLB and soccer leagues such as Serie A, La Liga, and Ligue 1. Original programming is an area DAZN has lagged behind in compared to streaming competitor ESPN+, so perhaps “The Journey” is DAZN’s first step toward a more robust original content offering. Original programming on the ESPN+ platform includes a documentary-style series about tech-powered athletes as well as a sports business show featuring Kevin Durant.