• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 18, 2025

Monetizing Live Video at Scale in 2021

  • Advertising, sponsorship, subscription fees, and PPV models can help monetize live video.
  • With server-side ad insertion, organizations using Brightcove can avoid ad blockers.
Photo Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

In the United States, there are roughly 180 million users of OTT streaming services. For reference, OTT services are defined as any type of video or streaming media that provides a viewer access to movies or TV shows by sending the media directly through the internet. Worldwide OTT media revenue is expected to reach 158.84 billion dollars by 2024. 

Live video from OTT channels can be monetized in a few different ways. Mainly, networks, teams, and leagues can earn revenue from advertising, sponsorship, subscription fees, PPV, or some combination . 

These models require organizations to have access to tools that enable them to be set up like a true media company. Brightcove has helped several notable sports organizations create a sort of “mission control” for their video distribution and take advantage of OTT’s rise in popularity.

Organizations like the English Premier League, Australia’s National Basketball League, Stadium, and the USGA have partnered with Brightcove in order to leverage and distribute their content in ways that fit their monetization goals. 

For example, while plenty of golf fans in the United States were able to watch the most recent U.S. Open live on NBC, many more watched an enhanced second screen experience with views of specific holes, specific competitors, certain camera angles, or alternate audio feeds. There’s also potential for more viewers to watch on-demand video following an event. This includes highlights, interviews, or other original programming. Viewers can even create a multi-view experience where they are watching several different feeds on the same device. All these different feeds within one app allow for multiple new revenue streams at once, depending on the monetization strategy an organization wishes to utilize.

In a recent conversation with Front Office Sports, Phil Green, strategic accounts – media at Brightcove spoke to the effectiveness of his company’s solution in helping clients increase revenue and reach a broader audience. 

“Working in conjunction with our great group of sports partners, they’re seeing increased viewership time and increased engagement,” Green said. “Whether they’re delivering exposure for their sponsors or someone who’s paid to watch the content or a viewer who authenticates via their MVPD, it drives business value. That is critical to their success and to our success. We love growing with our partners and that’s what we’ve seen happening throughout the pandemic.”

With server-side ad insertion, organizations using Brightcove can avoid ad blockers while running ads before, during, and after a video whether it is live or on-demand. Viewers can be reached through desktop, mobile, game consoles, connected TVs, and smart TVs. And metrics can be provided to advertisers from a broadcast or streaming session easily right from a  dashboard. 

“We are mission control for our partners and our products allow them to drive their video business,” Green concluded. “The support that we provide, like smart tools for live monitoring, eliminates a lot of the redundancy that goes into a video or media company. Our partners are going to generate revenue and their fans are going to be thrilled with what they’re able to deliver.”

Learn more about Brightcove

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 19, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Rose Bowl Stadium.

UK Judge Rules John Textor Owes $97M Tied to Failed Soccer Deal

Textor plans to appeal, while Iconic Sports intends to collect.
Hansi Flick

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.
FBI

Former Everton Bidder Indicted for $500 Million Fraud Scheme

777 Partners failed to complete its purchase of Everton in 2023.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Cal Raleigh

Home Run Derby Came Down to a 1-Inch Hawk-Eye Measurement

One expert is skeptical that the measurement could be that precise.
May 23, 2025

Paul Skenes Blockbuster Trade Buzz Is Building. Will the Pirates Cash In?

Trade talk reflects the pitcher’s big surplus value and the Pirates’ struggles.
Tennis
July 7, 2025

Wimbledon’s Rollout of Automated Line Judges Has Been Rocky

The electronic system briefly went down Sunday, leading to a controversial replay.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Curry
May 9, 2025

Brady, Curry, Ohtani Get Most Claims Dropped in FTX Endorser Suit

The judge did call the endorsers “uninformed, negligent, or even reckless.”
Sponsored

How NFL Next Gen Stats and AWS are Modernizing NFL Scouting Combine..

In an era where data is king, evaluating football’s next great talents demands a more sophisticated approach.
July 18, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A Secret Service agent watches over Donald Trump during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The final day of the RNC featured a keynote address by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
October 29, 2024

Trump, Harris, and Biden Can Be Tracked Through Secret Service Strava Users

A French newspaper discovered the movements of world leaders through their security.
Jul 12, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Lorenzo Musetti of Italy returns a shot against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day 12 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
October 9, 2024

Wimbledon Turns to AI After 147 Years of Tennis Line Judges

The French Open is now the lone tennis major without electronic line calling.