How to Create a Live Streaming Pay-Per-View Sports Broadcast [2024 Update]

By Nick Small | Posted on February 27, 2024July 4, 2024 by Nick Small | 15 min Read

Live streaming video content has become an integral part of people’s online experience. No matter the industry, broadcasters and content providers are video hosting everything from instructional content to pure entertainment. In the sports industry specifically, live sports streaming, especially through a dedicated sports streaming website, has surged in popularity.

One study by USC Annenberg and ThePostGame shows that 56% of sports fans are willing to invest in an OTT (over-the-top) sports channel to watch games online. As the evidence that people want more live-streaming events mounts, broadcasters and businesses are investing more in live-streaming solutions. A professional video streaming platform can provide great opportunities. By utilizing these video platforms they can live stream on-demand videos online, implement video monetization and build their fanbase.

In this article, we cover five key aspects of creating a profitable live streaming pay-per-view streaming service. We go through OTT video monetization, the best monetization methods and detail a pay-per-view sports use case study. Finally, we provide a step-by-step guide to setting up a pay-per-view sports secure livestream using Dacast’s OTT streaming platform.

Table of Contents

OTT Video Monetization

Streaming sports via pay-per-view means is one of three major monetization methods.

Video monetization is the ability to generate revenue from your online sports broadcasts. The three main monetization options include pay-per-view (TVOD), ad-based (AVOD), and subscriptions (SVOD). This can be achieved through a video monetization platform.

TVOD is most commonly known as pay-per-view. As the name suggests, viewers pay for what they want to watch.

AVOD refers to ad-based monetization. You have the option to serve ads on your content. Ads are funded by your advertisers, so rather than paying out of pocket, your viewers pay for the content with a minute or so of their time.

SVOD is a subscription-based method that allows viewers to have unlimited access to a video library for as long as their subscription lasts. Subscriptions are typically weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

For a full rundown of over-the-top (OTT) video and streaming services and a review of video-on-demand, advertising, subscriptions, and transactional payment systems, please check out our general OTT Monetization blog post.

Best Monetization Method for Sports Streaming

Pay-per-view monetization has unique perks when it comes to sports broadcasting.

When it comes to monetizing your sports broadcasts, pay-per-view, ads, and subscriptions are all viable options. The best option for you depends on what you’re trying to achieve and who your target audience is. You can achieve this through your website, sports or festival live streaming service, website or a professional video streaming platform provides you

For example, if you specialize in MMA fights and televise one event a month or even less frequently, pay-per-view is the best option for you. Viewers can pay to watch the fight, and that’s it.

However, if you’re streaming a little league baseball game or football game, monetizing with advertisements might be the way to go so that parents and family members don’t have to pay out of pocket to see their kids play, but as the broadcaster, you’ll make some money.

Subscriptions are valuable for broadcasters covering an entire season of a sport or a series of sporting events.

While all of these approaches are great options, we’re going to take a close look at monetization in terms of streaming pay-per-view sports throughout the rest of this post.

Pay Per View Live Streaming for Sports: Use Case Study

Now that you have a better idea of video monetization and how pay-per-view compares to other methods, let’s look at how a successful broadcast can impact families and communities. In this use case study, we will show how pay-per-view works for streaming sports.

Erik is 11 and loves playing club soccer. He’s been playing since the age of 6, and his parents come to all of his games. His father records his games so they can watch them later as a family. Erik would love it if his grandparents could watch his games too, but they recently moved to Florida.

Erik’s father, Ron, recently discovered that he could use his Camcorder and a Capture Card to livestream Erik’s soccer games for everyone to see.

Now Erik’s grandparents easily watch his games live. Since it’s online, other parents, friends, and family members of the rest of the team can get in on the action, too.

Ron quickly realized that quite a few people were tuning in every week to watch the team’s games. He decided to charge $2 per viewer to earn some money for his time and effort spent filming and streaming the games.

Ron’s a smart guy, and he knew that family members and friends who couldn’t make a full basketball game would easily pay the $2 to catch all the action. As a result, Erik’s grandparents have tuned into every game, and Ron’s been doing live stream pay-per-view monetization ever since.

As we mentioned, ad-based monetization would also work well in this scenario, especially if it was for a team that had a lot of fans.

Video streaming can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for both your viewers and yourself. Live video streaming platforms and pay-per-view monetization give thousands of individuals the chance to watch and take part in amateur sporting events. This wasn’t possible in decades past.

With this new opportunity for broadcasters and sports enthusiasts in mind, let’s talk about how to set up a pay-per-view live stream on demand just for sports.

How to Set Up a Pay Per View Live Stream for Sports

Pay-per-view sports streaming is easy to set up if you’re working with a professional OVP.

There are five key components for setting up pay-per-view for your live sports broadcasts. These include internet connection, equipment, encoders, streaming service, and video monetization.

Each of these components is essential if pay-per-view video streaming is the route you want to take.

1. Internet Connection

The first thing you will need for any live stream is a sturdy internet connection. There are three ways you can go about connecting to the internet. The most popular approach for broadcasting on the go is via a wireless connection.

The second internet option is via a wired internet connection. While this method provides a reliable connection, it’s not ideal for sports streaming from the stands or the sidelines.

For that reason, the most probable connection for your streaming needs is through the use of a hotspot. Essentially, hotspots allow you to set up a remote internet connection on the go, which is a crucial first step in the streaming process.

You can purchase a hotspot at your local phone service provider store (Verizon, etc.) for fairly reasonable prices.

2. Recording Equipment

The next key pay-per-view live stream component is recording equipment. There are a few ways you can capture and record a live sporting event.

The first choice is a camcorder (e.g., handheld video recorder). In general, we recommend this option due to the freedom of movement it provides while live-streaming sports. With a camcorder, you can pan and zoom on the entire field, while also focusing on certain players.

When using a camcorder, you also need a capture card to properly convert the video into streamable content. You can purchase and install a capture card in your computer’s hardware, and then plug your camcorder into the aux in the capture card.

For a more detailed discussion on how to choose a capture card, you can review our dedicated article on capture devices.

If you’re hosting your sports broadcast on Dacast, we recommend reviewing this list of compatible cameras for live streaming before making a decision. Also, review our article on live streaming equipment to choose a tripod and other accessories.

3. Encoders

The encoder works with the camera and OVP to stream in real time.

Once you’ve selected a recording device and secured a reliable mobile internet connection, you’ll need to decide on an encoder for live mobile streaming. You have two options here: live stream encoding software and hardware encoders.

To go the software route, you need a sturdy internet connection and a software encoder. You can get started with OBS Studio, which is free software that is perfect for broadcasters who are still learning the ropes.

If you decide to use encoding software, you can also review our comprehensive article on how to select encoding software for live video streaming.

If you have the funds and the technical know-how, we recommend considering a hardware encoder instead of encoding software. A hardware encoder requires a video source that you plug into the encoder.

This method is best for those on a generous budget since most encoding hardware will cost you between $5,000 to $10,000. While this is a more advanced method, it’s ultimately better suited for a studio setting and not necessarily a sports field or arena.

However, for those who are interested in the hardware route, we recommend a TriCaster by NewTek. Since TriCaster is dedicated to encoding full-time, it offers a much more reliable service than encoding software.

4. Live Streaming Platform

Now for the fun part: it’s time to choose a live-streaming platform

Before deciding on a solution to host your content, we highly recommend reviewing several streaming platforms (e.g., Dacast, IBM Cloud video, etc.), their features (e.g., monetization, white-label, etc.), and pricing plans.

Once you do some initial research, you can then take advantage of free trials before you sign up with a particular platform to make sure it’s a good fit.

Of course, we do hope you’ll consider the Dacast live-streaming solution. Dacast offers some of the best prices in the industry for CDN-level audio streaming solutions. streaming

We also offer great monetization options, including live-stream pay-per-view. This feature is powered by a secure paywall, which allows your viewers to purchase access to your broadcast all from within the streaming platform

You can try the Dacast risk-free for 14 days if you sign up now. Access our pay-per-view monetization features and more.

5. Monetization with Live Stream Pay-Per-View

As we mentioned above, sports have become one of the most profitable industries in the world.

Whether it’s HBO Pay-Per-View Boxing or streaming your favorite team game on the go, there’s no question that sports fans love to see their favorite teams on the screen.

With Dacast, you can choose the best monetization method for you and set it up in just a few clicks. We embed monetization features right into the service. We also make it easy to set price points for your viewers.

To recap, Dacast’s options for generating revenue from your streams include live stream pay-per-view, ad-based models, and subscription models which means you have the power to decide which option is right for you.

Also, our broadcasters can attach multiple live stream pay-per-view options to a single broadcast. This feature allows you to up-sell content and add variety to your video offerings which helps you reach new and broader audiences around the world. If you’re already streaming with Dacast, just log in to your account and follow a few simple steps to activate and customize monetization for your streams. If you’re new to Dacast, you can also check out our page on pay-per-view for further details and offerings.

Hosting pay-per-view sports provides a great way for broadcasters of every level to make monetize their content.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is pay-per-view (PPV) sports streaming?

2. Why use PPV for sports streaming?

It’s great for special events or rare games where people are willing to pay to watch.

3. What are the main ways to make money from sports and film streaming platform?

You can use pay-per-view (PPV), ads, or subscriptions. PPV means viewers pay for specific games.

4. When is PPV the best choice for sports streaming?

PPV is best for one-time events or games that don’t happen often.

5. Can I use PPV for local or amateur sports events?

Yes, PPV works well for local or amateur sports. It lets friends and family watch without paying upfront.

6. What equipment do I need for PPV sports streaming?

You need internet, a camera, an encoder, a streaming platform like Dacast, and a way to charge for PPV.

7. How do I pick the right streaming platform for PPV sports?

Look at the price, features, and what you need. Dacast is flexible and good for sports.

8. Can I offer different prices for subscriptions and PPV videos of sports events?

Yes, you can set different prices for viewers on platforms like Dacast.

9. Is it easy to set up PPV sports and streaming channels with Dacast?

Yes, Dacast makes the PPV setup simple for sports streaming.

10. Why use PPV for sports streaming?

It makes money, reaches more viewers, and shares sports events with people worldwide.

11. Can I give free trials for PPV sports events?

Yes, many platforms allow free trials to attract viewers.

12. Is PPV sports streaming safe?

Yes, on good platforms, it’s secure with payment protection.

13. What sports events are good for PPV streaming?

PPV works for all kinds of sports, from pro leagues to local games.

14. Can I customize the PPV sports streaming experience on-demand video here?

Yes, you can brand your channel and add extras for viewers.

15. How do I start PPV sports streaming with Dacast?

These simple FAQs should help people understand the basics of setting up a pay-per-view sports broadcast using Dacast’s platform.

Advantages of PPV Sports Streaming:

Revenue Generation: Pay-per-view sports streaming allows you to make money from your sports content. Viewers pay for access to the events, which can be a significant source of income.
Flexible Pricing: You have control over how much you charge viewers for access. You can offer different pricing tiers to cater to various audiences.
Targeted Audience: Pay-per-view is ideal for special or exclusive events. It ensures that only those interested in the specific content will pay to watch, allowing you to target a niche audience.
Content Security: Pay-per-view platforms typically offer secure payment processing and content protection, reducing the risk of piracy.
Global Reach: PPV streaming enables you to reach a global audience. Sports fans from around the world can access your content, increasing your reach.

Disadvantages of PPV Sports Streaming:

Limited Viewer Base: Pay-per-view may limit your potential viewership as not everyone is willing to pay for sports content. This can be a drawback if you aim for a broad audience.
Technical Challenges: Setting up PPV streaming requires technical know-how and equipment. It may be daunting for beginners.
Competition: The sports streaming market is competitive, and viewers have various options. Convincing them to pay for your content can be challenging.
Viewer Expectations: Paying viewers have high expectations regarding the quality of your stream. Technical issues or interruptions can lead to dissatisfaction.
Pricing Strategy: Determining the right pricing strategy can be tricky. Setting prices too high may deter potential viewers, while setting them too low may impact revenue.

Conclusion

There are millions of dedicated sports fans willing to invest in pay-per-view video content. Through a PPV stream, you can broadcast live sports events on a video hosting platform to paying fans. Using the right video hosting provider and monetization tools, you can reap the lucrative benefits.

As we’ve outlined, there are many factors to consider for properly setting up sports broadcasting. Understanding the hardware and software and choosing the right streaming platform is paramount. Armed with the knowledge we’ve provided, you can start your sports live streams and benefit today.

Dacast is a professional live-streaming platform that can help. With Dacast, you get secure VOD and live PPV broadcasting. Furthermore, you’ll have access to top-of-the-line monetization options, allowing you to instantly begin profiting from your streams and garnering loyal fans.

You can try Dacast for free right now by signing up for our 14-day free trial.

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Nick Small

Nick is a technical writer and marketer. While at Dacast, he helped the marketing team research and produce video streaming content for our readers.