Kiswe Wins Sportspro OTT Award in Madrid: Our Key Takeaways

We are thrilled to share that Kiswe together with the NBA Jazz has been awarded the Bronze award in “PLATFORM OF THE YEAR – D2C” at the SportsPro Awards in Madrid! This recognition is a testament to the innovation, dedication, and hard work of the combined Jazz and Kiswe teams in creating Jazz+: a world-class direct-to-consumer (D2C) streaming platform, which redefines how content owners connect with their audiences.  

As the D2C streaming movement gains momentum globally, this award reflects not only our achievements but also the evolution of the sports and entertainment industries as they embrace new technologies to meet the demands of today’s fans. It was wonderful to attend the SportsPro Madrid event and participate in the OTT streaming panel. Here are some takeaways.

D2C Streaming: A Revolution in Progress  

Direct-to-consumer streaming has emerged as a powerful trend in the sports industry, allowing leagues, clubs, and organizations to bypass traditional broadcast models and connect directly with their fans. While this trend has been more pronounced in the U.S., Europe is rapidly catching up. Many sports organizations have launched their first D2C pilot projects, often focusing on areas like:  lower-tier leagues, women’s leagues,  pre- and post-game shows, or specific geolocations. 

These initial ventures have yielded positive results, with early reports showing increased fan engagement and monetization potential. While mainstream adoption is still on the horizon, the fact that SportsPro dedicated an entire award segment to D2C streaming is a strong indicator of its growing importance in the industry.  

At Kiswe, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with forward-thinking organizations to launch successful D2C platforms that not only deliver exceptional fan experiences but also unlock new revenue streams. Platforms like Jazz+ empower content owners to build their brands, engage audiences directly, and retain full control over their content and data.  

Social Media and the D2C Ecosystem  

Social media continues to play a critical role in the sports content ecosystem, driving short-form video consumption and serving as a key gateway for fan engagement. However, as leagues and clubs increasingly adopt D2C strategies, they’re recognizing the need to take control of the fan journey.  

Many organizations have highlighted the challenges of relying solely on social media platforms, where the incentives of content owners and social media companies often diverge. While platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are invaluable for driving awareness, they are not built to deliver the depth of engagement or monetization opportunities that a branded D2C platform can provide.  

By using social media to capture attention and guide fans to their own platforms, content owners can:  build deeper connections with their audiences, gain valuable data insights, create personalized experiences, and develop sustainable monetization models  

Data and AI: Transforming Fan Experiences  

As the sports industry embraces digital transformation, data has become a cornerstone of successful D2C strategies. First-party and zero-party data are invaluable for understanding fan behavior, preferences, and engagement patterns. With ready availability of AI, this data is unlocking unprecedented opportunities to enhance the fan experience.  

AI-powered tools can analyze vast amounts of data to deliver:  personalized content recommendations, predictive insights for fan behavior, dynamic pricing models, and enhanced live-streaming experiences with interactive features  

Looking Ahead  

Winning the Bronze award for PLATFORM OF THE YEAR is a proud moment for Kiswe, but it’s also just the beginning. This recognition fuels our commitment to pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and partnering with content owners to redefine fan engagement in the digital age.  

We’re excited to continue leading the charge in D2C streaming, empowering our partners to deliver exceptional experiences and build deeper connections with their fans.  

Thank you to SportsPro for this incredible honor and for fostering a community of innovators who are shaping the future of sports media. Here’s to what lies ahead!