In this episode of StreamTime Sports, Nick Meacham is joined by Adam Leventhal, senior writer and broadcaster at The Athletic, to explore the complex and growing issue of illegal sports streaming. Adam shares insights from his extensive investigation into piracy, discussing its cultural impact, criminal networks, and the potential crisis it poses to sports broadcasting. This in-depth conversation sheds light on how fans, media companies, and leagues are navigating the digital age of streaming piracy.

Key Points:

• What role do fans play in the widespread acceptance of piracy?
• How has illegal streaming evolved from physical distribution to fire sticks, apps, and VPN-powered digital access?
• Why is piracy so difficult for broadcasters and rights holders to combat effectively?
• How does the UK’s 3PM blackout contribute to illegal streaming—and is change on the horizon?
• What global trends and market forces are driving piracy, and what can be done to tackle the issue on an international scale?

In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone are joined by Richard Kearney, Senior Director at MediaKind, to dive deep into the evolving world of subscriber acquisition and retention. Drawing on his experience at Paramount and Showtime, Richard shares how AI and machine learning are redefining content recommendations, user engagement, and platform growth.

The conversation dives into how sports and entertainment streamers can balance personalisation with discovery, reduce churn, and maximise subscriber lifetime value.

Key Points:

• How is AI revolutionising content recommendations and enhancing personalisation for streaming services?
• What role does improved content discovery play in boosting retention and engagement?
• Can too much personalisation actually harm user experience or business growth?
• How are sports platforms using AI to analyse content and enhance fan engagement in real time?
• What AI-driven strategies are helping platforms navigate market challenges and stay competitive?

DAZN’s move to absorb FIFA+, Apple’s $750 million bid for Formula 1, and LaLiga’s struggle to stay relevant — this episode unpacks the business stories behind the biggest headlines.

Co-hosts SportsPro's CEO Nick Meacham, and Community Lead Chris Stone dissect what these deals reveal about the global sports rights landscape, evolving streaming strategies, and the growing “squeezed middle” of leagues caught between the giants. 

Key points:

• Was FIFA’s deal with DAZN driven by strategy or financial pressure?
• How much influence does Saudi Arabia’s SURJ investment have on DAZN?
• Can Formula 1 continue to grow without ESPN’s editorial reach?
• Why is Apple’s investment a smart long-term play?
• What do LaLiga President Javier Tebas’s comments about pan-European deals reveal about the state of media rights in Europe?
• Are we entering an era where only the biggest leagues can survive?

Charlie Klassen, EVP of Sports at Sky Deutschland, joins StreamTime Sports co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone to reveal how Sky is transforming sports broadcasting in Germany. From dominating Bundesliga coverage to launching innovative streaming formats like Flutlicht Freitag, Charlie explains how Sky is boosting ratings, deepening fan engagement, and staying ahead in one of Europe’s most competitive markets. With insights into SkyStream, rights acquisition, and the network’s digital strategy, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in sports media.

Key Points:

• What makes Germany a unique market for pay TV compared to the U.S. and other European markets? 
• How is Sky Deutschland maximizing the value of its investment in the Bundesliga, Premier League, and other premium rights?
• Are sports primarily a customer acquisition tool or a retention driver?
• How has streaming reshaped the economics of pay TV and rights negotiations?
• Why is Sky Deutschland placing greater focus on social media and digital platforms?

In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone sit down with David Salmon, EVP and Managing Director of Tubi International, to discuss the platform’s rapid global expansion and its unique advertising-led streaming model. They explore how sports are becoming a key driver of engagement for Tubi’s international growth, particularly in emerging markets like Mexico. Plus, the duo previews what to expect from the SportsPro Media Summit 2025 in Madrid.

Key Points:

• How is Tubi expanding globally as a free, ad-funded streaming platform?
• What role does sports content play in driving Tubi’s growth in emerging markets?
• Why are advertising-led models resonating with younger, cord-cutting audiences?
• What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for mid-tier sports federations?
• What can attendees expect from the SportsPro Media Summit 2025 in Madrid?

Netflix and Amazon are betting big on live sports to drive subscriber growth, boost sponsorship revenue, and deepen audience engagement — transforming the media landscape in the process. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone explore why streaming giants are racing to secure live sports content, from the Champions League to Amazon's Skins Game revival. The duo breaks down how sports are reshaping their platforms, the shifting broadcast landscape, and the billion-dollar deals changing the game.

Key Points:

• Why is Amazon choosing to revive the Skins Game, and what does it mean for golf streaming?
• Does the UEFA Champions League fit into Netflix’s broader sports strategy?
• What do streaming giants like Amazon and Netflix gain from investing in live sports?
• Why the ECB believes digital clips and highlights can be as valuable as live coverage.
• Who is responsible for the death of pay-per-view in sports?

From generative content creation and multilingual commentary to athlete performance analysis, AI remains the hottest topic in the sports industry. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone bring you highlights from two of the most insightful conversations from SportsPro AI Summit, featuring former #1 NBA draft pick Greg Oden, alongside industry heavyweights Peter Hutton, David Gibbs, and Louise Lawler.

Key Points:

• What are the most impactful use cases of AI in sports media?
• Can AI generate emotional and engaging content for fans?
• How should sports organizations approach AI responsibly?
• How did Greg Oden transition from NBA star to AI investor?
• Why are athletes increasingly drawn to tech startups?
• How is AI reshaping athlete performance and development?

Having built the Cowboy Channel to over 100,000 subscribers, former guest David Guinan now shares his plans to grow Table Tennis TV to similar heights. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone explore the key stages, decisions, and challenges involved in launching and scaling a challenger sports streaming platform.

Key Points:

• What are the critical decisions to make before launching a streaming platform?
• How should platforms handle subscriber milestones and the growing pains that come with scaling?
• How do new platforms balance what sits behind a paywall versus what is offered for free on social media?
• What are the most common mistakes made when launching a sports streaming platform?

Terence Crawford and Canelo Álvarez’s title fight helped Netflix draw a record-breaking 41 million viewers — a milestone that could reshape the future of live sports. In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone explore how Netflix is disrupting traditional pay-per-view models and challenging the status quo of sports broadcasting. The conversation also spans Ligue 1’s subscription experiment, Amazon’s surprising partnership with The Masters, and the WNBA’s impressive growth this season.

Key Points:

• Is Netflix about to make pay-per-view obsolete?
• Will platforms like YouTube and Netflix become the new gatekeepers of live sports?
• Can Ligue 1’s new €15-per-month platform survive?
• Why did Amazon choose The Masters, and why did Augusta choose Amazon?
• How significant is the WNBA’s viewership growth, even with Caitlin Clark sidelined?

FIFA claimed 2.7 billion people tuned in to this summer’s Club World Cup, but what is the truth behind the numbers? In this episode of StreamTime Sports, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone dig into the reality behind FIFA’s staggering stats, DAZN’s billion-dollar gamble, and YouTube’s live NFL broadcast. They also unpack which metrics matter most for streaming, what Apple’s next move in Formula One could mean, and why Pluto TV is betting big on handball.

Key Points:

• Can FIFA’s claim of 2.7 billion Club World Cup viewers be trusted?
• Has DAZN’s $1 billion investment in the tournament paid off?
• What did we learn from YouTube’s live NFL broadcast of Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers?
• Which metrics matter most for live streaming compared to linear?
• Does it make sense for Apple to acquire Formula One’s U.S. rights?
• What makes Pluto TV’s handball deal a smart play?