The short version

Key points

  • Major sports rights are spread across services including Kayo, Stan Sport, Optus Sport, Paramount+, Prime Video and Disney+ with ESPN.
  • A Guardian analysis cited in the video found that watching everything could cost more than $2,000 per year.
  • Kayo’s premium tier increased from $35 to $40 per month, while Optus Sport rose from $14.99 to $24.99 per month in 2022.
  • Spark Sport’s closure in New Zealand demonstrated the difficulty of operating a standalone sports streaming service.
  • The video argues that consolidation may reduce fragmentation, but larger platforms may still charge premium prices.

Sports rights are spread across multiple services

Australian sports viewing has shifted from relying on one or two major channels to navigating a collection of platforms. Kayo and Foxtel carry much of the AFL, cricket, motorsport and other sports coverage, while Stan Sport offers rugby union and the UEFA Champions League. Optus Sport holds the English Premier League, and Paramount+ carries the A-League. International football and tennis content associated with beIN SPORTS moved to Prime Video as a paid add-on after leaving Foxtel.

Disney+ has also entered the market by adding ESPN’s live sports lineup to its plans in Australia and New Zealand. The result is that fans following several sports may need five or more services, each with its own subscription, app and content guide.

The cost of following sport is increasing

The video cites a Guardian analysis suggesting that watching all major sports could cost an Australian fan more than $2,000 per year. That total reflects both the number of services required and price increases across the market.

Kayo’s basic plan launched at $25 per month and has remained at that price, according to the transcript. However, its premium tier rose from $35 to $40 per month. Optus Sport increased its monthly price from $14.99 to $24.99 in 2022, a 67 per cent rise, which the service justified through expanded content. In New Zealand, Sky Sport Now was reported as costing NZ$54.99 per month from May, following a NZ$5 monthly increase.

These costs make it harder for viewers to maintain subscriptions throughout an entire year. Fans may subscribe only during a particular season, cancel services between major events or decide to follow fewer sports.

Paywalls may affect casual and future fans

The shift of more live coverage behind paywalls affects more than dedicated supporters. The video highlights the AFL’s move to place Saturday live games behind a paywall in 2025, reducing the amount of coverage available on free-to-air television.

When casual viewers cannot watch an occasional match without subscribing, they are less likely to discover a sport by chance. The transcript also raises concerns that children may have fewer opportunities to encounter AFL or rugby on television and become interested in playing. A smaller casual audience could eventually affect the development and reach of those sports, although the long-term outcome remains uncertain.

Failed challengers and a return to consolidation

New Zealand’s Spark Sport is used as an example of the difficulty smaller platforms face. Spark launched the service in 2019 to challenge Sky’s dominance, but technical problems during the Rugby World Cup damaged its reputation. Spark later announced that the service would close in 2023 because of financial and technical difficulties, reportedly taking a NZ$52 million loss while dealing with remaining rights commitments.

After Spark Sport closed, some rights returned to established broadcasters. New Zealand cricket went to TVNZ for free-to-air coverage, while content such as the English Premier League and Formula 1 returned to Sky Sport. In Australia, beIN SPORTS moved from Foxtel to Prime Video after Foxtel dropped it in 2023.

The video also discusses the proposed acquisition of Foxtel Group, including Kayo, by DAZN in a deal reported at $3.4 billion. If completed, that would place a major Australian sports operation under a global sports streaming company.

TechManPat’s conclusion

I think sports streaming has replaced the simplicity promised by streaming with a more complicated version of the old pay-TV bundle. Consolidation could eventually reduce the number of apps fans need, but I do not expect that alone to make sport affordable. My concern is that gold-plated paywalls will push out casual viewers and make it harder for the next generation to discover sport.
Source note

This knowledge-centre summary is based on the linked TechManPat video and reflects the information available when it was published. Check current pricing, availability and policies before acting.