| | JULY 20198CIOReviewBy Tom Sahara, VP Operations & Technology, Turner SportsSports fans are a highly coveted audience due to their passion, often spending lavishly, flaunting their team affinity. There are many more viewing options for eager sports fans today than just a few years ago. TV broadcast, while still the top of viewing experiences with its premium production, is giving way to over-the-top (OTT) and social video platforms that offer targeted alternate content. Emerging technologies such as virtual reality are extending the viewing experience beyondthe edges ofthe flat screen TV.Changing viewer habits and expectationsA generation ago, the TV viewing audience was trained in "appointment TV" where viewers factored the date and time of their favorite programs into their daily activities. In 2010, the improved data bandwidth of 4G LTE unleashed the "mobile web" giving way to streaming apps. Viewers expect apps to know who they are, what they like, and to receive offers of things that may interest them. Data retained by these apps serve as content filters tailoring the delivery of content and advertisements to each individual user. TV, streaming and advertising producers must tailor their offerings to the wants and desires of their target audience.Data driven experiencesData of viewing history, favorite teams and players, and other preferences can be used to algorithmically filter content to what aligns with their past browsing behavior and predict what they might want next.In addition, intelligent platforms must automatically select the proper connection speed and device features, providing the viewer with a seamless experience regardless of the varying signal strength, while switching between Wi-Fi hotspots and cell towers as they travel about.Growing concerns regarding privacy and the roll out of general data protection regulations (GDPR) restricts the collection and retention of personal information which limits the targeting of individual viewers. This has a direct effect upon the monetization of the viewing audience. Digital subscriber data is increasingly available but the lack of industry standards for measurement and reporting has hindered the monetization growth.BettingWith the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), several states have opened wagering on sporting events. Sports have always been a favorite subject of betting and as the betting community grows, the demands to monitor their wagers drives further consumption.As each state crafts its betting regulations, the collection and compliance of wagering data and related content will become increasingly complex. Artificial intelligence (AI) will be necessary to efficiently manage the aggregation, analysis and retention of this data. Latency creates opportunities to cheat Tom Sahara IN MYOPINIONENGAGING A NEW GENERATION OF SPORTS FANS
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