YouTube Backtracks: They’ll No Longer Offer Live Streaming for Sports Content as Part of Their New Services

YouTube released a statement on Tuesday that sports fans will now have access to a number of major African sporting events. In the statement, YouTube unveiled its plans to launch “live streaming” and video-on-demand services.

The video streaming platform also mentioned that it had secured a partnership with NBA Africa to offer highlights, live and on-demand streaming of basketball, rugby, cricket, and football events.

In 2018, we saw a 70 percent increase of views in Sports & Fitness content across Europe, the Middle East and Africa with content garnering more than 61 billion views. Today we are here to say we hear you and we are more than happy to bring you the content you desire, in partnership with NBA Africa and our other partners.

Dayo Olopade. YouTube content partnerships lead

However, just a day after the original statement, the media giant has released another statement where it retracted “live streaming” from the sports services it plans to make available. Instead, it now says the content will be made available as highlights or video-on-demand.

YouTube added the new services for sports fans after reviewing the demands last year for sports and fitness content on its social media platform.

It goes without saying that Africa is a sport-loving continent, so it makes perfect sense for us to bring African sports fans what they love. Our audience is constantly looking for sports content.

Dayo Olopade, YouTube content partnerships lead.

The sports content to be made available on YouTube include La Liga, 2019 NBA finals, Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON), Women’s World Cup, Europa, UEFA Champions and Europa League, ABSA Premier League, Ligue 1 and Serie A.