• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

PFL Looks to Digital Content Expansion to Bring in More Fans

  • This summer, the PFL rolled out its own OTT channel, with the digital expansion aimed at growing partner opportunities.
  • PFL’s digital expansion is also about brand awareness as it looks to capture more of a growing market.
PFL
PFL

The Professional Fighters League is continuing its expansion into digital content streams with a WAVE.tv partnership.

WAVE.tv represents the PFL’s first piece of a broader strategy to expand its distribution and monetize its content beyond ESPN and its own channels, PFL CEO Peter Murray said.

“We’ve been focused on ESPN, but this move is representative of our next focus and growth in digital partners,” Murray said. “To reach the MMA fanbase, that requires more content, so we’re opening our own archives to do that.”

This summer, PFL launched its own OTT channel — an objective pushed forward because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With that launch, Murray pointed to a $100 billion and growing OTT market.

Already excited about PFL’s second season, which drew 50% more viewers on ESPN than its inaugural season, Murray said getting PFL content in front of more eyeballs will help it grow.

MMA reportedly has 450 million fans across the globe. The sport was also one of the few bright spots in a recent sports fandom survey of Gen Z — those aged 13-23 — that largely found a disinterest in sports compared to older generations. UFC, PFL’s main competitor, trailed esports and the NBA in terms of Gen Z interest — the only three sports or leagues the generation was above or equal to with millennials and older.

PFL is fighting an uphill battle against UFC, the juggernaut in the industry. But Murray believes there’s plenty of fans to go around. And with around 85% of MMA fans outside the U.S., both PFL and UFC are in a push to grow their reach — but there’s likely room for both with different formats. PFL is a season-type format with playoffs and a championship, whereas UFC follows the traditional fight card championship format.

With the WAVE.tv partnership, quick-hitting highlights and original short-form content — like fighter profile pieces — will be spread across its channels. In many ways, it’s a brand awareness play for PFL, but it will also allow the organization to integrate potential partners into more content.

WAVE.tv announced a $32 million Series A funding round in July, reportedly generating 3.5 billion monthly views and reaching more than 200 million monthly fans across its 18 brands. One of its brands is Haymakers, which is focused on combat sports and has more than  1.5 million followers across platforms.

UFC Pairs Return of Live Action With Revamped Fight Pass Service

Strategic changes made to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s OTT service at the…
May 8, 2020

“Beyond its expanded reach, it also provides an opportunity for advertisers,” Murray said. “There’s more interest than ever from brands in MMA today and there is such demand that they’re looking for more ways to engage with the fanbase and audiences.” 

On integration, Murray is still bullish about the PFL’s use of data and analytics, like providing punch strike speed. Next season, the league will roll out kick speed.

“It is crazy to me this has not been done before, there’s so much white space and room for innovation in MMA,” he said. 

With that data comes increased opportunity to provide prop bets, which the organization will begin offering next season as well. 

“We’re a disruptor by design, a challenger brand that’s leading with innovation,” Murray said. “It’s all about getting fans access and providing them content and an immersive experience that fans expect today. MMA should be no different than any other sport in providing data integration and new enhancements to further engage.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Breanna Stewart

Why WNBA Finals Are Threading the Needle During Peak Sports TV

The league’s new media deal could solve the problem.

Ryan Smith Sees Salt Lake City As Next Vegas-Like Sports Town

Utah Hockey Club’s owner says all the pieces are falling into place.

How the WWE’s Farm Circuit Became a Primetime Draw

NXT produces generational talent—and it occupies a new prime-time network slot.
A DraftKings sign

A DraftKings Exec Left for Fanatics. Then the Bitter Legal Battle Began

Mike Hermalyn has been sidelined at Fanatics for nine months now.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Shams to ESPN; NHL Drops Puck

0:00

Featured Today

opinion

Where Is the Dang Game? Fragmentation Has Hit Fever Pitch

A correction is coming in the increasingly confusing landscape of live sports.
October 5, 2024

MLB Gets the Shohei Ohtani Postseason Treatment. The Value Is Immense

The Japanese superstar finally makes his playoff debut Saturday.
The Cal mascot, Oski
October 2, 2024

How the Calgorithm Turned College Football Twitter Into Real Life

“College GameDay” makes its first trip to Berkeley on Saturday.
Apr 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The cleats of Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) as he runs the bases against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park.
October 1, 2024

MLB Players Are Clamoring for Swag. Outfitting Them Is Big Business

Sliding mitts, cleats, and belts are fun, flashy, and lucrative.

UFC’s Vegas Sphere Fight Should Set Records

The MMA fight has big aspirations and a budget to match.
August 13, 2024

Duael’s One-On-One Racing Brackets Are Yet Another Stab at Saving Track

Duael will debut in March 2025 with the inaugural Duael 100.
September 8, 2024

Guardian Caps Make NFL Debut

Multiple NFL players wore Guardian Caps over their helmets Sunday.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
August 11, 2024

Guardian Caps Have Arrived in the NFL—Ahead of Schedule

Colts star Jonathan Taylor strapped one on for Sunday’s preseason game.
August 5, 2024

How Omega Timing Determined Noah Lyles Won Olympic Gold

Omega touches every corner of the Olympics.
The Adidas ball has changed over the years.
July 25, 2023

The Most Advanced Tech at the Women’s World Cup Might Surprise You

This year’s OCEAUNZ introduces connected ball technology to the women’s game.
Sponsored

Rewriting the Sports Media Playbook

WSC’s highlight automation improved Clemson’s content strategy and overall growth.