Wanna watch Gabriel Medina (above) go after current world champion 2 John Florence next year on that surf series operated by a privately owned entertainment company specializing in event and online streamed content production (mostly surfing sport)? According to a story on Forbes.com you’ll have to do it on Facebook, because the days of watching the feed on the company’s website (and then airplaying it your TV) are over thanks to a payment of an estimated $30 million from Facebook for exclusive rights.
Facebook had non-exclusive rights to live WSL events last year with the competitions also broadcast on the WSL’s website and mobile app. Nearly 14 million people watched a World Surf League event on Facebook in 2017. “The exclusivity of this deal will elevate the profile surfing and the WSL have within the Facebook platform,” says Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO.
Thrity-million dollars is a nice chunk for a business that has most likely been losing large sums of money each year since buying the tour. But we can say this, we watched a couple events last season, now if they’re only available on Facebook.com we won’t watch any and we don’t think we’re alone. So long pro surf tour. . .
[Link: Forbes]
