Here’s what’s shaping the industry right now.
YouTube’s CEO, Neal Mohan, breaks down the platform’s plans for 2026.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan recently sat down and broke down YouTube’s plans for 2026. He breaks down:
- How much YouTube has paid creators in the last 4 years
- YouTube’s investment in creator production
- Improving the platform for younger audiences
Luka Doncic Launches 77X ahead of the NBA’s All-star weekend.
Los Angeles Laker, Luca Doncic, has recently launched 77X, the first athlete-led direct-to-fan business. Luca will be distributing original content, selling collectibles and much more through the platform, with the first live event being rumoured to launch around All-Star weekend.
This is a huge milestone in athletes taking full ownership of their IP and building a direct relationship with their fans. As the top fan vote for the All-Star Game, and being the NBA’s #2 athlete in jersey sales, is Luca a unicorn? Or will we see more athletes building direct fan experiences?
Netflix acquires the exclusive rights to BTS’s comeback concert.
Netflix has partnered with record label, HYBE, to acquire the exclusive rights to bring BTS’s comeback concert ot their platform, in anticipation of their fifth studio album, AIRRANG. Netflix will also be releasing a documentary the following week of the concert.
This is a huge play in the eventisation of music. We’ve seen Netflix grow their live, appointment-to-view presence through the acquisition of sports events such as Christmas Day NFL games, and Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua.
Netflix may be looking at alternatives to pricey sports rights deals and opening the door to different opportunities to reduce subscriber churn.
NBCUniversal expands Winter Olympic creator roster following Paris’ 24 success.
Following the success of the creator programme at the Paris ’24 Summer Games, NBCUniversal has expanded their creator roster.
More creators mean more distribution, and as a result, more reach. Following the NFL taking 160 creators to the Super Bowl, we can expect to see more sports properties reduce their control over content output and empower creators to do what they do best: connect with audiences and create conversation.
Cricket World Cup is coming to YouTube in the U.S. and Canada
Willow by CricBuzz will stream the ICC T20 World Cup on YouTube for the first time ever to try and reach U.S audiences. More than a decade ago, pay-per-view access to the cricket World Cup cost $100+, and now, we’re seeing the content distributed for free on the platform, with alternate watching experiences being provided by Jomboy Media.
We’re seeing more sports properties reducing the barriers to entry and opening the doors to new, international fans. Is this the blueprint for reaching a new fan segment?
