Deeper engagement for sports fans with new OTT FanBox

OTT Content Consulting has launched an OTT 2.0 software overlay for sports OTT services — FanBox – in conjunction with the technology company Netstairs.

FanBox offers sports broadcasters, rights holders and platforms the ability to offer fans deeper engagement and interactivity by combining real time live video chat rooms with social media networks embedded into a live sports broadcast stream or video on demand content.

FanBox addresses the growing demand from sports fans for a more proactive viewing experience, one that allows them to express their passion and opinions with friends and fellow fans globally.

FanBox allows subscribers to a sports OTT service to invite up to eight people — regardless of their location — into live video chat rooms whilst watching a live event and to chat, share comments or upload clips on their favourite social media network.

Kevin Cochrane, Managing Director of OTT Content Consulting, said: ‘’All sports OTT services are looking at new ways to engage and retain their viewing audiences. FanBox delivers the communal experience and engagement that fans want, especially for those sports brands with a global audience. Most Manchester United fans in Malaysia are unlikely to be able to attend Old Trafford and experience the live match atmosphere but now they can share their passion with fellow fans around the world in real time.

“The monetisation benefit for the sports OTT platform is that Fanbox can be offered to subscribers as an added value feature, creating higher satisfaction and thus perceived value to a subscription or as an up-sell over and above the cost of the basic subscription. In addition, FanBox can be tailored with ‘call to action’ buttons that can provide a direct link to the sports OTT platform’s e-commerce sites or those of their advertisers and sponsors.’’