South Shields FC and Recast bring exclusive content to fans via new app
Supporters of South Shields FC can now directly fund the club by watching extended match highlights, interviews, exclusive features and behind the scenes content featuring players and staff thanks to a partnership with Recast.
This is the latest move for the forward-thinking club, which launched a crowdfunding campaign last year that saw Little Mix star and lifelong South Shields fan Jade Thirlwall become a shareholder and honorary president of the club.
The Northern Premier League side are the latest football club to join the Recast OTT platform, which allows rights holders of any size to go direct-to-customer for free, without any upfront or ongoing costs.
Supporters will be able to turn their viewership into Recast’s in-app credits simply by signing up, watching ads, sharing videos and inviting friends. The in-app credits can then be used to watch match highlights, behind-the-scenes videos or exclusive content at a subsidised rate or even free of charge.
Discussing the partnership, South Shields FC head of media and communications Daniel Prince said: “We’re delighted to be joining Recast and are excited as to the opportunities this partnership provides. We are looking forward to expanding our content offering for supporters as we aim to provide more behind-the-scenes coverage, features and interviews than ever before.
“We’ll continue to share match highlights, club updates and interviews on our existing social platforms and website, however all the coverage our fans have come to expect from us will now be available in one handy place – Recast. In addition to our traditional coverage, we’ll also be adding exclusive content and features, only for those fans that follow our Recast channel.
“Ensuring that we create sustainable financial solutions to ensure the longevity of the club, without impacting our fans, is essential. Knowing that they can go onto our Recast channel and watch our content, which will in-turn generate revenue for the club, is a win-win for everyone involved.”
With all revenue reinvested back into the club, the move is one of many ways South Shields FC is aiming to bolster its earning potential, via its digital strategy, without further financial impact on fans.
Andy Meikle, founder and CEO at Recast, added: “Clubs of all levels are now looking for alternative ways to maximise their earning potential without having further financial impact on fans. Previously there was no option but to distribute short-form content and highlights via social media unless you could afford your own OTT solution, however now there is. Recast. We’re providing a much-needed, free alternative which allows clubs like South Shields FC to revolutionise their digital strategy that will future proof their club and bolster earnings for years to come.”
South Shields FC follows in the footsteps of many other clubs looking for an alternative solution to more effectively monetise and earn from their exclusive content, including Manchester City, Hibernian FC and Hibernian Women as well as Queens Park Rangers.
Recast also recently announced that its solution is now available in more than 70 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.