Sports broadcasting is transitioning from traditional to digital channels throughout the world. In some areas, disruption is coming from connected TV platforms, while in others, mobile providers—and even legacy media companies—are driving change.

Traditional TV dominates sports broadcasting in Brazil, but digital platforms are taking hold, including OTT services run by media conglomerates and social media players that are vying for high-profile sports rights.

The sports video streaming landscape in Canada is a mix of legacy TV network groups Bell Media and Rogers Media; digital media giants such as Facebook, Twitter and Amazon; and independent startups like DAZN.

State media network China Central Television (CCTV) is the main purveyor of sports programming in China, but OTT players, including Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu, have disrupted the ecosystem by securing streaming rights to major sports properties.

A new crop of sports OTT services has emerged in France. Top players include TV networks, Amazon, Eurovision Sports and Mediapro. The lines between TV and digital are blurring, as providers and consumers use multiple platforms and devices.

In Germany, telecoms and digital video giants such as Deutsche Telekom, Sky, Eurosport, Amazon and DAZN are fiercely competing for sports rights with public TV broadcasters ARD and ZDF.

In India, disruption in the sports broadcasting industry is coming mainly from mobile, as smartphones and better access to data in rural areas have expanded the market for streaming. Top OTT providers include Hotstar, SonyLIV, JioTV and Airtel TV.

Affordable pay TV plans have kept sports broadcasting largely within traditional channels in Mexico, but consumer demand for live video on all screens is pushing media giants to offer streaming options and opening opportunities for outside players.

Streaming services, telco-based platforms and hybrid players are disrupting sports TV broadcasting in South Korea. A shift toward mobile is also drawing sports fans away from legacy media.

Broadcast channels both paid and free carry the lion’s share of live sports content in the UK, but a substantial and growing portion of the population is now streaming sports via digital platforms.

In the US, disruption in the sports broadcasting industry is coming from league-based subscription services; standalone services run by broadcasters and independent startups; linear OTT providers; and social and digital media companies.