OTT platform Recast partners with QPR to boost engagement and monetisation with microtransactions model

Fans will have more access to players including Chris Willock as part of the deal

Supporters of Queens Park Rangers (QPR) can now directly fund the club by watching live matches, highlights, interviews and behind the scenes content featuring club players and staff thanks to a partnership with Recast.

The West London side is the latest team to join the OTT platform in a bid to provide new opportunities for fans to support the club while not costing them a penny to watch matches.

The partnership will allow QPR to create a home for affordable, flexible access to high-quality content directly from the club, which Recast’s microtransaction model will turn into club revenue through fan viewership.

As part of the deal the Championship side will broadcast its first pre-season friendly match against Gillingham live and exclusively on the platform. Fans will also be able to watch the club’s fixture with Premier League side Leicester City and League One opposition Cambridge United as well as match highlights and exclusive behind-the-scenes content from all pre-season games, including a match against Manchester United.

Unlike other platforms, supporters will be able to turn their viewership into Recast’s in-app credits simply by signing up, watching adverts, sharing videos and inviting friends. The in-app credits can then be used to watch their favourite match day highlights, behind-the-scenes videos or live fixtures at a subsidised rate or even free of charge.

Discussing the partnership, QPR’s commercial director Euan Inglis said: “Due to events over the past 12 months, we have embarked on a complete audit of our digital assets. As our supporters will be aware we are doing some really exciting stuff around blockchain, NFTs and tokenisation on our new app. We have been engaged with Recast over the past few months and have been very impressed with the opportunities the platform is going to provide for the club and our supporters.

“Recast will complement our existing channels initially, but our plan is to utilise Recast’s platform more down the line as our supporters become more au fait with the platform. The club will be working with the excellent team at Recast to produce innovative and creative content that will be exclusively available on Recast’s platform.”

With all revenue reinvested back into the club, the move is one of many ways QPR is seeking to maximise its earning potential, without further financial impact on fans.

Andy Meikle, founder and CEO at Recast, added: “It’s been an exciting year for Recast and we’re ecstatic to add a club of Queens Park Rangers’ calibre to our growing list of partners. Fans are at the heart of any club and for the first time ever they can be rewarded for their engagement while also generating untapped revenue for the club they support through microtransactions.”

Content will be available immediately on Recast, with the first exclusive live match taking place on 16 July as Mark Warburton’s side travel to Gillingham for the first pre-season friendly of the campaign. Kick off is at 19:00.

Across the 2021/2022 season, Recast will become the home of QPR FC’s match highlights with a view to hosting them exclusively on the platform by the end of the year. Match highlights and games from QPR Women and B team fixtures will also be shown on Recast along with premium and exclusive behind the scenes content and interviews with players and club staff.

Due to demand from rights holders, Recast also recently announced its solution is now available in more than 61 countries, across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa as well as in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.