International sports streaming giant, DAZN, has recently announced the launch of its free tier service. This move is set to revolutionize the way fans access live sports content and could potentially reshape the landscape of sports streaming.
The new freemium model will allow registered users to access a selection of live matches from DAZN’s extensive portfolio without a subscription. Each week, games from top-tier domestic soccer leagues in Japan (J.League), Spain (La Liga), Italy (Serie A), pan-European soccer’s UEFA Women’s Champions League games, American football's NFL, Professional Fighters League mixed martial arts promotion and boxing events will be made available for free on both the DAZN platform and partner channels.
DAZN plans to roll out this freemium service initially in Germany by the end of this month before launching globally in early 2024. The company aims to attract new subscribers who can try out their offerings through this free service.
DAZN Group chief executive, Shay Segev, said:
“DAZN wants to create as many touch points as possible for the 3.5 billion sports fans around the world.
“We know there are already 300 million people who interact with DAZN content annually, but we want ALL sports fans to join DAZN and enjoy sport.
“With our comprehensive flywheel of sports-related products and services – from tickets and merchandise to betting and gaming. Our aim is to become the go-to sports destination platform for all sports fans in all countries – thereby delivering the best proposition for rights holders and the best app for fans.”
This isn't DAZN's first venture into alternative monetization strategies; last year they launched their first-ever free ad-supported television (FAST) channel in Germany and experimented with pay-per-view options.
According to reports, DAZN is planning to raise $1 billion to fund their expansion and gain an advantage in upcoming media rights negotiations
As part of its global expansion strategy, reports suggest that DAZN is exploring ways to raise funding. According to sources familiar with the matter, early talks have been held about raising up to $1 billion capital over the coming months. This funding would support efforts towards securing more top-tier streaming rights.
However, the company, backed by billionaire Len Blavatnik, has not yet decided on the structure and other details of any funding. Despite reporting yearly losses after investing billions to secure premium sports rights, DAZN is expected to publish its 2023 results in the coming week showing narrowing losses.
DAZN's move towards a freemium model could be a game-changer in sports streaming. By offering free access to select live matches and additional content, they are setting a new standard for accessibility in the industry. As we await more details about their global expansion and funding plans, one thing is clear: DAZN is pushing boundaries and reshaping how fans engage with their favorite sports.
