The Way We Watch Sports Is Changing. Here’s What That Means for the Future of Content

By Sadie Thoma

Think about how you plan to watch the Super Bowl this year. In college, I might have joined the crowd in front of the dorm TV to vie for a decent view, and likely missed half the game because of the typical group distractions. Now that I, like most of us, watch on a smart TV, I never have to worry about missing any of the action. I can simply hit rewind.

A global shift in the way we enjoy entertainment is underway, with digital consumption rising to 

all-time highs

Last year saw 

YouTube at the forefront of the digital sports viewership shift

Think with Google

Source: Google/Talk Shoppe, U.S., whyVideo 2021 study, n=2,000 A18-64 gen. pop. video users, field survey, March 26, 2021–April 4, 2021.

Athletes are the new creators

Freed from the confines of a timed slot, creators have more flexibility to share their content, and viewers have more options to watch what they love. And many of those creators are athletes giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at life on and off the field.

Whether sharing perspectives on a play or introducing fans to their families, as Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski does on 

The Gronks

“My brothers and I were thinking about starting a YouTube channel for some time,” said Gronkowski. “It was important for us to do it on our own terms and schedule, because we all have full-time jobs that keep us busy.”

With a wide range of content — from long-form 

culinary competitions

“We did a lot of big videos when we first started, but we have learned that not every video needs to be a crazy collaboration or production. YouTube Shorts have allowed us to still put out content and videos while I am in the middle of my season.”

The big screen brings people together

The decades-old experience of coming together to watch something in the living room (or dorm room) has not changed. Whether it’s cheering for our favorite teams or celebrating a big win, sports bring us together. But we now have more options for customizing our experience than ever before.

From highlights and interviews to the game itself, more people are turning to YouTube on connected TV (CTV) to watch together. One of the reasons for this shift is that people feel like they build a greater sense of connection when they watch with others. In fact, according to a Talk Shoppe survey, 79% of viewers achieved deeper connections when they watched YouTube with others.2

By offering viewers a choice between live programming, such as the Super Bowl, and customized content from their favorite creators, YouTube on CTV combines massive reach and the power of relevance. That makes it pivotal for today’s marketers.

Connect with fans where they’re watching

Brands are tapping into a moment when viewers are leaned in to share their message and build community. That’s why 74% of survey respondents interested in sports said they visit YouTube several times a week.³ Last year, with the game falling at the height of tax season, Intuit TurboTax leaned into the momentum of the Super Bowl to reach consumers where they were watching and extend the reach of its TV ad. The brand ran five different video ads geared toward different audiences on YouTube, including its 

game day ad

, as part of its 

AdBlitz

 activation.

“The content landscape is rapidly evolving and we are constantly testing and innovating across fast-growing platforms like CTV, so that we are connecting with consumers where they are,” said Cathleen Ryan, VP of marketing at Intuit TurboTax.

By offering viewers a choice between live programming and customized content, YouTube on CTV combines massive reach and the power of relevance.

This strategy contributed to Intuit TurboTax’s ad becoming the most-watched financial services ad during the game. The brand’s presence increased, with 10% growth in subscribers following the 2021 Super Bowl. “We had a big brand opportunity to raise awareness of our new TurboTax Live offerings, and the Super Bowl gave us a big platform to get our message out to consumers at a time when consumers are highly engaged,” said Ryan.

Sports trends are showing us how the future of content is taking shape. As creators continue to blur the line between traditional and digital, sports fans like me and my college pals are shifting to watch even more, together, on CTV. Brands aiming to build community around the content we love to watch should meet us there.

This article first appeared on Think with Google.