Sports streaming platform DAZN formalizes US expansion, ‘nine-figure’ Bellator MMA deal
DAZN, the world’s largest dedicated live and on demand sports streaming service, today announced the details of its expansion into the US
Sports streaming service DAZN has formalized its US arrival with 9-figure Bellator MMA deal and subscription service / Ryan Tang via Unsplash
This follows parent company Perform Group’s $1bn joint venture with boxing promoter Matchroom Boxing, and a nine-figure multi-year global distribution agreement with Bellator MMA, a global combat sports franchise owned by Viacom.
DAZN US's first-ever fight night will be headlined by heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua and Alexander "The Russian Warrior” Povetkin as the two battle for Joshua’s WBA, IBF and WBO titles on Sept. 22 live from Wembley Stadium in London.
The OTT sports streaming service has been scheduled to go live on September 10, and has hopes to provide viewers with unlimited access to premium sports content for $9.99 per month, following a one-month free trial. All matches streamed on the service will be available both live and on-demand, on a wide range of connected devices, including smart TVs, PCs, smartphones, tablets and game consoles.
James Rushton said in a statement “We launched DAZN to disrupt the status quo and change the way the world sees sports. “When you get DAZN, you’ll get all the fights; we won’t stash our best matchups for PPV, linear TV or a higher-tier package. And you’re going to get the entire card live, no matter the time zone and without constraints for one affordable price.”
John Skipper, former president at ESPN, and Perform Group’s executive chairman, added: “DAZN is Perform Group’s most ambitious undertaking to date and we have big plans as a global streaming leader. In the last two years we’ve expanded into seven countries across three continents attracting millions of subscribers and creating long-term global partnerships with the best in the industry to bring our fans what they want at an affordable price.”
DAZN had recently spoken to The Drum about its billion-dollar ambitions, hoping to be "the largest and most significant sports broadcaster in the world." With the hiring of Skipper (who had left Disney's sports broadcaster late last year), and these closed deals, the service may be on its way to challenging rivals at ESPN and Turner Sports.