In a landmark moment for British sports viewing, streaming platforms are poised to eclipse traditional television broadcasters in sports rights expenditure for the first time ever. According to new industry analysis, streaming services will account for over half of the UK's sports broadcasting spending by 2025, reaching a staggering £12.5 billion.
The Tipping Point: 2025
Recent data reveals that streaming's share of sports rights has surged from just 12% in 2020 to an anticipated 51% by 2025. This represents a complete reversal of market dynamics, with traditional broadcasters' share collapsing from 88% to 49% over the same five-year period.
Digital Heavyweights Enter the Arena
The shift is being driven by aggressive moves from streaming giants including:
- Amazon Prime Video, which has secured significant Premier League rights
- Netflix, increasingly exploring live sports content
- DAZN, building its portfolio of boxing and football rights
- Apple TV+, making strategic moves into sports broadcasting
What This Means for Sports Fans
This seismic shift represents more than just changing viewing habits—it's transforming the entire sports media landscape. Viewers can expect:
- Greater flexibility in how and when they watch live events
- More personalised viewing experiences with enhanced digital features
- Potential fragmentation of content across multiple platforms
- New pricing models and subscription options
The London Connection
As the home of numerous Premier League clubs and major sports organisations, London stands at the epicentre of this broadcasting revolution. The city's sports franchises are increasingly tailoring their media strategies to capitalise on the streaming boom, recognising the global reach these platforms offer.
The days of gathering around the television for Saturday afternoon football are rapidly evolving into an era of on-demand, multi-screen sports consumption that reflects how modern Britain prefers to watch the games that matter.
