Gerd Weiner from Sportworld: Streaming for the Whole Sports World

Mr. Weiner, what specific gap in the sports streaming market do you want to close with your app?

Gerd Weiner: Existing platforms specifically buy rights and monetize them, but there is no place that bundles all sports offerings. We are creating this place. Fans can watch content with us free of charge, ad-financed or specifically via pay-per-view – without a subscription. Rights holders such as clubs or associations receive their own branded zones with an individual look and feel with streams, highlights and community functions. Our model follows the direct-to-fan approach: anyone can make content directly visible to their target group and, thanks to our technology, distribute it worldwide and generate revenue, for example through pay-per-view events or programmatic advertising. One example: the European League of Football provides all ELF matches worldwide as PPVs via its Zone, in addition to highlights, thus offering fans around the globe a flexible sports offering.

What was the trigger for founding Sportworld?

Weiner: The founding idea came from the observation that fans are increasingly losing track of sports content. The rights are spread across many providers, and there are hardly any simple answers to the question "Where is my game on? We wanted to create a system that provides orientation and simplifies access to content. Technically, it's like a program guide that shows what's on when and where – but enhanced by our own streams, cooperation with rights holders and the aim of making content accessible globally. We are also driven by a personal concern: We want to strengthen sport as a social value – across all sports and leagues. For example, we also offer NGOs such as the “Peak Performer Foundation” or the “German Football Ambassador” their own stage so that they can make their content accessible worldwide. In this way, we are democratizing sport: as much free content as possible, as simple and comprehensive access to all disciplines as possible.

How does the technical implementation work? How does the content get onto your platform?

Weiner: We work with rights holders around the world – from the DFB and Red Bull TV to the Major Arena Soccer League, the largest indoor soccer series in the USA: we give these partners direct access to target groups interested in sports. The content is automatically played out on Sportworld and pay-per-view purchases can be processed directly in the app. We also develop advertising-financed linear sports channels – so-called FAST channels. In addition to our own data-based sports channels, which draw on data from more than 200,000 sporting events per year, we also program customer-specific FAST channels for renowned partners such as the World Rally Championship and distribute them worldwide via leading streaming platforms. In this way, we make content visible that was previously hidden.

What importance do small sports and regional sports have for you?

Weiner: Our claim is equality. Every club – whether in the Bundesliga or the local league – can show its content on our platform. Non-commercialized sports in particular are rarely covered by traditional media. We give them visibility, their own channels and community access. An athletics meeting or a regional league match is presented just as well as a Champions League evening. And for the first time, individual athletes also have full control over the big TV screen: they can post their own content via Sportworld and market it globally.

What role does Bavaria as a location play for you?

Weiner: We are a Bavarian company, founded and financed from Munich. Bavaria remains our home – and we show that global companies with real impact can also be created in Germany. Our goal is to scale from Schwabing into the world – with a clear vision, a disruptive approach and a strong technological platform.

Where is Sportworld heading in the future?

Weiner: Our vision is an interactive fan platform: maximum flexibility in streaming, genuine community integration – and a highly personalized experience that also inspires again and again. This is how we bring the many undiscovered sports moments into the spotlight and make them visible to all fans.