BT Sport launches competition to find new sports broadcasting experiences
Entrepreneurs, creatives and start-ups are the targets for a new BT Sport competition that hopes to find original sporting televisual experiences that could one day become part of the broadcaster’s output.
Innovate 21, which launches today (5 May), invites submissions for innovations spanning the entire sports broadcast chain, from production at events through to the viewer at home.
Entrants are encouraged to submit proposals in areas including, but not limited to, the Matchday Experience offering on the BT Sport App, ideas that have a strong sustainability, inclusivity or accessibility focus and ideas which enhance the live sports experience.
The winning entry will receive a potential six-figure opportunity to work with BT to develop their idea, technology or service for future use and could be made available to BT Sport customers. They will also receive BT Group mobile and/or broadband connectivity for a period of 12 months at no cost.
Marc Allera, the chief executive of BT’s consumer division, said: “Delivering world-class customer experiences is one of BT’s core objectives. Innovate 21 from BT Sport is a rare and exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs to join that effort but also to gain access to BT’s renowned expertise and leadership around technology, products and innovation.”
Following the deadline for entries on 31 July, finalists will be invited to present their proposals to the panel at the BT Sport studios in East London in September, before a winner is selected.
BT Sport Innovate 21
The finalists will also have access to Marc Allera, CEO, BT’s consumer division, for a unique chance to gain insight into innovation and technology from one of the leading FTSE 100 chief executives in the country.
The competition is backed by BT Sport presenters Brian O’Driscoll, Suzi Perry and Robbie Savage who will be part of a panel of experts in September at a special event to select the winning innovation, led by Jamie Hindhaugh, chief operating officer at BT Sport.
Those involved in identifying both a shortlist and winner include journalist and technology expert Lucy Hedges, Matt Stagg, director of mobile strategy, BT Sport, Christian Thrane, managing director, marketing, for BT’s consumer division and Andrew Mensah, social media influencer and BT Sport presenter.
In previous years, BT has run the Infinity Lab competition. The 2018 winner, Sceenic, worked with BT Sport to support last year’s launch of Watch Together on the BT Sport App. The winner of the 2016 BT Infinity Lab competition, Seenit, enabled fans to send in short video reports and comments from stadia around the country as part of BT Sport’s Premier League Tonight show.
Jamie Hindhaugh, chief operating officer, BT Sport, added: “BT is offering entrepreneurs the chance to join BT Sport’s industry-leading pursuit of providing the ultimate sports viewing experiences to customers. We are proud to have continually given our customers even more ways to watch and experience sport in recent years and Innovate 21 looks set to raise the bar even further for what BT Sport’s customers can enjoy.”
Full terms and conditions and details of how to enter Innovate 21 are available at www.bt.com/innovate21.