Ok, so you’ll still need to buy a once-off $59.95 ticket, but you can watch the fight from your browser, rather than a pay TV platform, and avoid the club crowds or pay TV subscription packages.
Although Fetch TV subscribers (who are non-Foxtel subscribers) should already know they can subscribe to watch the Mayweather-McGregor Main Event thanks to Fetch TV’s recent deal with the UFC, Foxtel, Brightcove, presumably the UFC and Main Event have found a way for any Internet user to pay to view.
With everyone hoping the biggest boxing bout of the year doesn’t turn into a strange display as was suffered by viewers when Anthony Mundine and Danny Green fought earlier this year, and with absolutely no-one expecting that anyway, demand to watch the fight is clearly going to go off the charts and generate huge sums of money.
Personally, I will be on a plane so won’t know the result until I land, many hours later, so will miss out of all of the extravaganza, but if you’re somewhere with an Internet connection and a browser, and you want to watch without paying a general Foxtel or Fetch subscription, there’s now a way.
{loadposition alex08}Foxtel has partnered with Brightcove to livestream the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight on August 27 (from 11AM AEST), which is an option that is “in addition to being able to watch the Pay-Per-View event at home, or at licensed venues, all Australian viewers can also subscribe to and stream the fight online.”
We’re told that “the offering will complement Foxtel’s existing Main Event service available over cable/satellite and in licensed venues,” with the announcement following “a soft launch of the online offering last month, with Foxtel live streaming Jeff Horn’s victory match over Manny Pacquiao to thousands of Australians.”
Ed Follows, Director of Product Technology Development at Foxtel, said: “In recent years, we’ve focused our efforts on finding new ways to increase customer choices, and effortlessly give customers access to our content. This is another way we’re doing just that.
“Previously, Main Event content like this has only been available to Foxtel customers. But with the dedicated online experience, anyone can sign up, buy a ticket and immediately watch the fight, with no ongoing subscription required. It means more Australians can subscribe to ground-breaking bouts like this than ever before.
“Brightcove has been a fantastic partner, managing the entire process and bringing some key partners into the mix that make this all possible,” Follows continued.
“Brightcove’s support team has been crucial to getting the platform up and ready for the match. And following the success of last month, we know it will be a popular way for fans to get in on the action.”
Brightcove Live, is the company’s “flagship live streaming service,” and its technology and platform will power the online pay-per-view event.
The company proudly boasts that its globally distributed architecture will “ensure Foxtel can deliver a seamless viewing experience to anyone across Australia on desktops, mobile and tablet devices.”
Brightcove explains that it will “manage the project from end to end, alongside partner, Cleeng.”
The company will provide the live stream of the match itself, while Cleeng will “support with the pay-per-view ticket sales, end-user customer support and content protection, including watermarking to mitigate piracy.”
Mark Stanton, Brightcove’s A/NZ VP said: “Brightcove has long been a partner of Foxtel, but this event has given us a great opportunity to further our relationship with one of Australia’s premier media businesses.
“We’re always looking at ways we can help our customers extend audience reach and revenue, and what Foxtel is doing here with its Main Event content is a prime example of how media companies can best do so. We have been able to deliver an online platform that’s ready for Foxtel to stream a major live event at the level of technical and business performance major media brands expect.
"And we’re confident the latest live stream will deliver overwhelmingly positive results for both Foxtel and boxing fans.”
So, if you don’t have a Foxtel or Fetch subscription, and you’re ready to rumble, there’s now a way you can get in the fray, without delay, but of course - you’ll still have to pay to play.
The complete undercard includes:·
USBA/NABF Cruiserweight Championship: Andrew TABITI vs. Steve CUNNINGHAM
WBA Light Heavyweight Championship: Nathan CLEVERLY vs. Badou JACK
IBF Junior Lightweight Championship: Gervonta DAVIS vs. Francisco FONSECA
Mayweather v McGregorSunday August 27 from 11am
Stream at mainevent.com.au or watch LIVE on Foxtel’s MAIN EVENT Channel 521 for $59.95
