Content platform provider OVO Mobile has inked a deal with Water Polo Australia to broadcast live and exclusive coverage - on mobile devices - of National Water Polo League and other major water polo tournaments in the lead-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The contract signing comes, as Ovo says, prevoius Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal that more people are spending double the amount of time watching sport content on their phones than they do on desktops.
The deal will see OVO, Water Polo Australia’s official telecommunication and media partner, broadcast major national and international matches live for the next four years, with fans and players, for the first time, able to watch on mobile devices.
Matt Jones, OVO CEO says, in what will be a huge boost for the popular sport, the partnership coincides with recent ABS data showing that more than 11 million Australians accessed sport content online in March alone.
{loadposition peter}And according to Jones the fact that pewople now spend double the amount of time watching sport content on their phones than they do on desktops, reinforces OVO’s “unique proposition of data-free streaming of all their sport entertainment content on their app OVOPlay, for OVO customers”.
In fact, Ovo says Australians more than 11 million Australians accessed sport content online in March alone, while doubling their viewing on phones over watching online on their desktop.
According to Jones, this reinforces OVO’s “unique proposition” of data-free streaming of all their sport entertainment content on their app OVOPlay, for its customers.
Jones says OVO’s sports content strategy is already providing gymnastics and other sports that traditionally suffer from lack of broadcast TV exposure, a platform to reach their fans and boost their supporter and participant bases.
“Water polo now has that opportunity to grow its grass roots through OVO’s unique operating and content model. Water polo is a fast and exciting game made for live broadcast, with Australia consistently placed high up in the world rankings, ever since our women’s team the Aussie Stingers, won gold at the Sydney Olympics. Just this month, both the Aussie Stingers and Aussie Sharks claimed gold medals in the FINA World League Intercontinental Tournament.”
“We've created a home for water polo content so fans can access wherever they are and whenever they want, and if you're an OVO customer, you get it data-free.
“We couldn't have come this far without the encouragement and assistance of the Australian Sports Commission, who recognise the value of what we have to offer the many sports that inspire Australia's passions and make us proud,” Jones said.
Water Polo Australia CEO Christian Renford, said the partnership with OVO will help to grow the fan base for the sport.
“This is fantastic news for everyone involved in water polo. Partnering with OVO Mobile means our fans Australia-wide will have access to top class water polo – something not available via mainstream TV. It gives us the potential to grow our game at the grass roots level and inspire those youngsters already playing.”