Streaming platforms, such as Netflix and Amazon, have started to embrace live events more and more. Even though platforms like this tend to offer on-demand content, things appear to be changing, with a shift in user preferences driving the adoption of live-streaming.
Netflix is Rapidly Expanding
Netflix is rapidly expanding, especially when you look at its gaming platform. They are releasing more and more titles by the year, with a range of exclusives now available. Even though they are embracing live events, it seems that live gaming isn’t on their radar. A lot of this could be down to the fact that the market is already so established. If you go online and play live blackjack games, you’ll know that some sites have up to 30 different variants. From Premium Blackjack to Blackjack Switch, it’s safe to say that the market would be very hard for them to penetrate.
That’s why Netflix is instead choosing to create exclusive games based on the shows that they are releasing. They are also venturing into live sports. Some of the live events that Netflix in particular offers include streaming with the option to rewind, pause, and start from the beginning. If you have a device that doesn’t support live-streaming then you always have the option of waiting for it to be uploaded to the platform, which usually happens a few days after the event.
Netflix is also going to be live-streaming two NFL games, which are set to take place on Christmas Day. At least one holiday game is going to be shown on the platform over the next few years, with the company producing several sports shows. This includes the hit series, Quarterback and Receiver.
Amazon is Showing an Interest in Live Sports
Amazon is also showing a very keen interest in live sporting events. They often stream many MLB games and are also the home of Thursday Night Football. Prime members who are in the US can also stream several sports live, ranging from basketball to soccer, boxing, and baseball. Amazon’s X-Ray feature also gives fans the chance to see box scores and stats, which update live during the event.
Both Amazon and Netflix don’t charge extra to stream particular live events through their platform, but Amazon does have more dynamic pricing when compared to Netflix. On the Amazon platform, people have the option to rent or buy movies, in addition to live sports and free shows. Netflix on the other hand, doesn’t offer any kind of dynamic pricing. Everything on the platform is free to watch, as long as you have a subscription. This could be due to change in the future, however, as the company has already made several changes to their pricing structure. Movie fans now have the option of paying extra to have the ads removed from their viewing experience, with the option of paying for 4K content over HD.
With streaming platforms beginning to embrace live events more and more, sports fans now have more choice than ever. As the market becomes more competitive, it may be that more sporting events are streamed live too, that might not have gotten such coverage previously.
