The sports landscape needs to evolve and adapt … or get left behind.

In sports, fans are more than just spectators – they’re the heartbeat, the energy that keeps everything alive. But being a fan isn’t just about watching the big game; it’s about a constant connection, a sense of belonging that extends beyond the field. Today’s sports consumers want insider access, exclusive moments, and updates that make them feel closer to the action, even when the stadium lights are off.

However, with so many streaming options out there, fans are quick to jump between services to follow the action they crave. For clubs, that means the competition isn’t just on game day: it’s everywhere, all the time. To keep fans truly engaged, organizations need to offer something unique, something that keeps the excitement going between match days.

That’s why having your own OTT platform changes the game. It’s not just about streaming; it’s about creating a sports experience that’s immersive, personal, and always within reach.

• What do fans want most from their sports experience today?
• What essential features do modern sports OTT platforms need to keep fans engaged?
• What can we learn from Disc Golf Network’s journey to creating a custom-built OTT platform?

What today’s fans expect from their sports experience

In some ways, fans’ expectations haven’t really changed that much – they still want to experience the thrill of the game where, when, and how it’s convenient for them. That goes for every generation, whether they’re Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, or boomers. What is different, however, is how each generation actually engages with sports content.

This generation craves more than just the live broadcast – they want insider content that makes them feel closer to the action, like watching content in VR, an athlete’s perspective or 360° streaming, and behind-the-scenes moments. Their fandom often starts with a social media post or quick highlight from a favorite player, sparking their interest to stream a game or sports documentary.

The same survey shows that fans are turning to SVOD platforms for a more interactive and personalized experience. While traditional TV still accounts for most viewing time, nearly a third of surveyed fans – and almost half of millennials – have paid for sports streaming subscriptions this past year.

The best sports OTT platforms don’t just broadcast games – they pull fans into the action, making them feel every play and experience every moment up close. The right features make that happen, turning a platform into a fully immersive experience where every play, every highlight, and every angle is theirs to explore. Let’s break down those features.

Broadcast-grade viewing experience

It’s a given, but worth saying: delivering sports in ultra-high quality is essential, especially to capture every play and detail that keeps fans engaged. Adaptive bitrate streaming technology makes it possible by adjusting video quality on the fly to match the viewer’s internet connection, location, and device – so they enjoy a steady, sharp feed whether they’re on Wi-Fi at home, out and about on mobile data, or watching a 4K stream on a big screen. 

Combined with HEVC compression to reduce video file size without losing quality and 60fps streaming for smooth, fast-paced action on screen, those are the “details” that create the ultimate viewing experience.

Real-time automated captioning

For fans who rely on captions to stay close to the action, real-time automated captioning is a must. Not only does it instantly generate accurate subtitles as the game unfolds, keeping every play accessible, but it also brings an added layer of smart ad placement. By analyzing spoken content in real-time, sports clubs can serve up ads that feel connected to the game, whether it’s a mention of a specific player, team, or trending topic.

Metadata enhancement

Enhanced metadata makes it easier for fans to discover new content in meaningful ways. With AI-powered tagging that recognizes players, captures emotions, and picks up on key actions or scenes, sports publishers can help fans stumble onto memorable moments they didn’t know they were missing.

Personalized recommendations

With recommendation engines, fans receive curated game highlights, exclusive behind-the-scenes moments, and player spotlights tailored specifically to their interests, turning every viewing session into a uniquely immersive experience.

360° streaming

Ever wondered what it’s like to be on the football pitch during the game? Now, fans can experience it firsthand with 360° streaming that captures the action from every angle. The German Football Association (DFB) recently showcased this with their live stream of the Germany vs. Australia Women’s National League match, giving fans a truly immersive view of the game.

Monetization

Flexible monetization isn’t just a nice-to-have. The best platforms let clubs easily control their revenue streams from every angle, whether it’s through exclusive pay-per-view events, multiple subscription tiers, or ad placements that make sense for each moment of the game.

Equally important is a seamless, integrated payment solution across all platforms, allowing fans to buy without switching apps. With a unified checkout that works on iOS, Android, Roku, or Apple TV, fans can make purchases without any interruptions, keeping them engaged and driving higher conversions over time.

Marketing automation integration

By integrating with marketing automation tools, sports OTT platforms can keep fans engaged and in the loop, whether it’s a reminder about an upcoming subscription renewal or a quick heads-up as their free trial nears its end.

Round-the-clock service & support

With 24/7 support, any unexpected glitch can be handled on the spot, helping clubs keep broadcasts smooth and fans focused on the game, not on troubleshooting. Regardless of whether it’s a peak game time or off-hours, this level of reliability gives clubs peace of mind, knowing that technical issues won’t disrupt their connection with fans. 

Content protection

Advanced measures like AI-powered forensic watermarking help trace unauthorized use and prevent piracy, while key diversification and profile splitting (SD/HD) allow control over how your content is delivered. Secure device-level decryption and HDCP output blocking ensure that only trusted devices access your streams, giving fans peace of mind and protecting your bottom line.

With fan expectations higher than ever, sports organizations need platforms that keep up. Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) saw the need to evolve early on, realizing that to keep their growing fanbase engaged, they needed a platform built to handle the demands of a passionate audience.

Disc Golf Network (DGN) – the DGPT’s media arm – has always aimed to deliver a premium, fan-centered experience. Still, as the sport’s popularity grew, their initial OTT provider started to fall short. While an out-of-the-box OTT platform provided a solid starting point, its limitations became more apparent with each season. The breaking point came at the start of 2023, when back-to-back server crashes during the first two events left fans missing key moments of the tournament.

Beyond the crashes, fans were also frustrated by long transcode times, and a lack of critical features like live DVR and instant replays – now staples of any quality streaming experience. Moreover, the Disc Golf Network team lacked clear development timelines and real-time enterprise-level technical support from their previous provider. Moving to a tailor-made OTT solution became the obvious next step for DGN. 

This is the DGN platform today – available across web, mobile, and smart TVs, Apple and Android TV – and we built it around the non-negotiables that the Disc Golf Pro Tour set out from day one.

They needed a rock-solid platform with reliable servers to handle live broadcasts that are often captured in the woods due to the nature of the sport, along with must-have features like live DVR, near-instant transcode times, smooth 60fps streaming to keep up with every fast-paced moment and important shot, an option to offer subscription tiers, access to viewer analytics, and a mobile app their fans would love. Flexibility was also key: DGN wanted the freedom to integrate with third-party tools and adapt the platform as their audience grew.

Your fans deserve a streaming experience built for them

The true power of OTT platforms isn’t in the technology itself, but in how it creates deeper connections with audiences. And the secret ingredient? A relentless focus on the fan experience. If you want to not only survive but thrive in the future of sports streaming, it’s time to stop thinking of OTT as just a platform and start seeing it as a relationship between you and your fans.