The Clap
Streaming giants Netflix, Amazon, & Disney’s next streaming acquisitions could come in the form of niche sports such as WWE, Formula 1, & UFC.
Backstory
In 2016, Disney hinted at the possibility of acquiring a sports league. The company came close to buying the UFC but then scrapped the idea & acquired Pixar, Lucasfilm & Marvel.
A couple of years later Disney’s ESPN bought the rights for the UFC until 2025.
Why this matters
Rather than relying on multi-year rights contracts that lead to recurring bidding wars, owning a league can solidify branding & reduce subscriber churn.
While acquiring a major league such as the NFL, NBA, or the MLB has proved to be a difficult feat, owning a niche sports league like the UFC, Formula 1, & WWE is well within the reach of these streaming giants.
