Virus gives big boost to live event coverage
More shows are being streamed online as spectators cannot be there in person
THE pandemic has “accelerated” changes to event coverage as more shows use live-streaming, making the sport accessible worldwide.
With competitions behind closed doors, more shows are available to watch online.
Richard Burdett, chief creative officer of equestrian network Horse & Country, told H&H live-streaming has been “transformative” in access to sport.
“Almost every day you can watch something live, and when doors reopen, that won’t go away,” he said. “People are now factoring live-streaming in; saying ‘this is part of our business’.
“Covid-19 has accelerated changes that were already taking place and we’re at least two to three years ahead of what was already the direction of travel.”
Mr Burdett believes the sport will be “dramatically more covered” in future.
Richard Clapham, organiser of Cornbury Horse Trials, told H&H live-streaming had always been on the agenda, but he did not know if the event would have pushed for it in its first year had it not run behind closed doors.
“It’s fascinating to look at the global reach we had which is phenomenal for us, and the sport. At our high we had 60,000 people viewing and reached more than 44 countries,” he said. “We made the footage available on Facebook and that allowed another dimension, with the commentary team interacting with Facebook viewers, so those watching felt very included.”
Commentator John Kyle has provided remote commentary for live-streamed events abroad.
“A show will send a signal to me, I apply commentary and send it to where it’s supposed to go. This allows a solution
80% as good as being there,” he said. “Live-streaming has the opportunity to be a huge positive.”
A spokesman for ClipMyHorse. TV told H&H it covered more than 300 shows this summer.
“What we’ve found positive is, we were forced to think outside the box and come up with new ways to entertain viewers, but also, with shows, we’ve been able to test new ways of increasing reach online,” he said.