US media and production company Terra Firma Media Group has announced it will next year launch a new subscription-based online broadcast platform dedicated to niche sports.
Terra Firma said that while negotiations are still ongoing, the Emerging Sports Network is poised for a February 2014 launch with the live streaming of the US Snowshoe Racing National Championships in Vermont and the Stand-up Paddling World Championships in Nicaragua.
The company said other sports partnering with the new network will be watercross in the shape of Jet Ski Racing, beach volleyball’s EVP Tour, enduro mountain biking, curling and disc golf.
In addition to the 20 live internet broadcasts produced by EmergingSports.tv in 2014, the network will include a weekly news show centred on the emerging sports community, as well as produce 10 feature shows focusing on individual athletes.
Terra Firm said the Emerging Sports Network will be distributed by “dozens” of regional sports networks in the US, along with online streaming service Roku.
John G. Duesler, Jr., principal at Terra Firma Media Group, said “Our business model starts with the value proposition that fans will pay to watch these emerging sports and that advertisers will pay to attract this incredibly attractive demographic. So much of what these fans can access now is offered via free, click-through channels. But much of the content is mediocre and the production value is sub-par. YouTube may have contributed to an increase in the quantity of video on the web, but we going to offer sports that you cannot find anywhere else.”