World first streaming service announced for women’s football

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Swedish sports rights agency Spring Media has teamed up with UK-based Red Bee Media to launch the world’s first global over-the-top (OTT) streaming service for women’s football.

The service will be called ‘Wnited’, with plans to launch the platform in the first quarter of 2020.

At this stage no rights deals have been formally announced, however two top tier leagues have signed up with the service. Other leagues across Europe, Asia and the Americas are likely to be confirmed before the service is launched. National team matches are also scheduled to be on the platform.

Could this include our W-League and Matildas? Time will tell.

Consumers will have the option to either sign up to the service for free but endure advertising, or pay a subscription fee to go ad-free.

Over 300 live games will be shown on the platform, as well as a variety of on demand content including documentaries and highlights.

Chief executive of Spring Media, Tobias Osmund claimed: “Women’s football has reached a turning point when it comes to both viewership and media interest and we believe we’re just at the beginning of a steep growth curve.

“We are now launching a streaming service with access to some of the world’s best women’s football content and with the Red Bee OTT platform we are sure to deliver the highest quality viewing experience to football fans as they visit the new home of women’s football.”

Chief executive of Red Bee, Steve Nylund added: “This is a perfect example of how our managed OTT services can and should be used, reaching global audiences with high quality ultra-low latency live feeds and on-demand content, creating the best possible viewing experiences on any device.”

The news comes days after FIFA announced that this year’s Women’s World Cup was viewed by a record 1.12 billion people across various platforms.

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Manchester City Begins Work on New Women’s Training Facility

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Image Credit: Manchester City website

Manchester City is in the development stage of building the Manchester City Women’s team a new purpose-built training facility at the City Football Academy, known as the club’s training centre.

The project, valued at up to $20.5 million, is set to open next season and marks the latest chapter in the club’s ongoing investment in top-tier facilities for the team.

Once completed, the facility will include a hydrotherapy area, a high-performance gym, and a circular dressing room designed to enhance player development.

In addition to their purpose-built facility, the Women’s First Team will continue to benefit from being an integral part of the $409 million City Football Academy, allowing them to utilise the organisation’s extensive resources and expertise.

To mark the beginning of construction, club captain Alex Greenwood was joined by Managing Director Charlotte O’Neill, Director of Football Therese Sjögran, and Director of Performance Services Emma Deakin for the official groundbreaking ceremony.

Club Captain Alex Greenwood reflects on the current facilities at the club and her excitement for the new development that is on the rise.

“Right from the start we’ve been involved quite a lot so we could discuss what’s going to be in there and what’s necessary. From what I know the facilities are going to be the best, which is nothing short of what I expect. I’m excited to see how it’s going to look,” she said via press release.

The facility has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of the team, with extensive consultation undertaken during the planning phase, including input from First Team Multi-Disciplinary experts and members of the playing squad.

The 17,000-square-foot building has also been designed with future expansion in mind as the team continues to grow.

Managing Director at Manchester City Women Charlotte O’Neill commented on the new facility and the beginning of its construction.

“Over the past decade, the team has benefited from being a part of the high-performance environment here, working with some of the very coaches, practitioners and support staff, as well as accessing some of the best facilities,” she said via press release.

“But the time feels right for the team to move into our own purpose-built home, and we think we’ve designed something really special that will help us in our efforts to consistently challenge for major titles.”

The new facility reaffirms Manchester City’s commitment to women’s football, aiming for success and growth through providing an environment to support the team’s future ambitions.

Immersiv.io: Redefining Live Sports Viewing with AR

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Image credit: Immersiv.io

Founded in 2016 in Paris by Emmanuelle Roger (CEO) and Stéphane Guerin (CTO), Immersiv.io has become a global leader in Augmented Reality (AR) sports technology.

With a vision to revolutionise fan engagement, the company combines computer vision, machine learning, and AR to create immersive, interactive experiences for sports audiences worldwide.

Now operating on an international scale, the company collaborates with major leagues and sports brands like the Bundesliga, redefining the way audiences interact with the game.

Immersiv.io Revolutionises Live Sports Viewing with AR Technology

A New Era of Sports entertainment

Immersiv.io is transforming how fans experience live sports, bringing a new level of interactivity through Spatial Computing and augmented reality (AR).

By integrating ultra-live data and immersive visuals, their AR-powered solution, Arise, enhances engagement and offers personalised experiences like never before.

Immersiv.io’s award-winning platform, Arise, is one of many new-age sports technologies that are destined to completely transform the viewing experience and shift away from the traditional TV viewing experience.

With a 75% engagement rate, Immersiv.io’s technology is redefining fan participation, letting audiences take control of the live action in ways that were previously unimaginable.

Interactive Sports Viewing with AR

The Arise system provides real-time insights and contextual overlays, ensuring fans are more connected to the game than ever before. Key features include:

  • On-Top Video Insights – Interactive statistics and insights displayed directly on the live video feed.
  • 3D Companion Experience – In-depth game analysis through a dynamic 3D representation of key plays.
  • In-Arena Overlays – Real-time game data overlaid onto the actual pitch for an enhanced live stadium experience.

This innovative approach allows fans to access and interact with crucial match data in real-time, providing a more immersive and engaging experience whether watching at home, in a stadium, or on the go.

Proven Success Across Multiple Sports

Immersiv.io’s AR technology has already been deployed across various sporting leagues and competitions, enhancing the way fans consume live sports. Partnering with major AR tech providers, the system is compatible with leading devices, including Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, Magic Leap, and Snapchat AR.

Industry Leaders Praise ARISE

Sports executives have recognised the impact of Immersiv.io’s technology:

“We want to give fans the possibility to gain knowledge and better experience the football game.”
— Andreas Heyden, ex-CEO DFL Digital Sports GmbH

“Our customers were impressed with the app—it gave them a new dimension and more engaging way to watch football. This data-driven viewing approach allows them to better understand the game than ever before.”
— Andy Kwong, VP Sports Content Dev, PCCW Media Limited

Maximising Digital ROI for Clubs & Broadcasters

Beyond fan engagement, Arise offers significant commercial benefits for teams, leagues, and broadcasters:

Strengthening Audience Growth – Boost sign-ups and subscriptions with personalised content and data-driven analytics.
Expanding Revenue Streams – Unlock new sponsorship and advertising opportunities with interactive brand placements.
White-Label Integration – Fully customisable to fit a brand’s identity, with seamless SDK-based integration into existing platforms or as a standalone app.

How this would transform Australian football viewing experiences

Immersiv.io’s AR technology could transform Australian football’s viewing experience, making matches more engaging and interactive.

At the moment on Paramount+, viewers are subject to a broadcast with very limited graphics, statistics and technology which can potentially lure in a more engaged audience.

This innovation could attract younger audiences, boost broadcast value, and create new revenue streams through sponsorships and premium fan experiences.

By modernising how football is consumed, AR technology could help grow the sport’s popularity and increase its commercial appeal in Australia.

Conclusion

As AR technology continues to evolve, Immersiv.io is at the forefront of revolutionising the way sports are watched, experienced, and monetised. By merging live data with immersive technology, they are paving the way for the next generation of sports entertainment.

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