Ekstraklasa Triumphs Over Piracy

Playing Defense: Protecting Ekstraklasa - Poland's Premier Football League - from Piracy

Simply put: Ekstraklasa is the beating heart of Polish football. As the nation's premier league, it showcases the skills of Poland's top teams and players, captivating millions of fans each season. But in 2024, this national treasure found itself under threat from a new opponent: digital piracy. 

Understanding the Playing Field

A prestigious football league where thousands of matches are played each season, each one a valuable piece of content that fans across the globe want to watch. That's Ekstraklasa. 

But there was a problem: digital pirates were intercepting this content and streaming it illegally, essentially stealing from the league, its teams, and ultimately, the sport itself.

The Challenges

When we first analyzed the situation, we identified several critical issues that were threatening Ekstraklasa's position:

Firstly, there was the direct financial impact. Every unauthorized stream represented lost revenue - money that should have been reinvested in the league, teams, and facilities. Instead, it was disappearing into the digital black market.

Secondly, these illegal streams were undermining the value of Ekstraklasa's broadcast rights. Why would broadcasters pay premium prices for exclusive rights when the same content was freely available through illegal channels? Their market position was at risk.

Finally, the league's promotional efforts were being diluted. With content scattered across unauthorized platforms, Ekstraklasa's official voice was getting lost in the digital noise.

The Results

Our strategy scored goals across several fronts:

• We built official YouTube channels to become the central hub for Ekstraklasa content, increasing fan engagement and strengthening their online presence.
• By blocking thousands of illegal streams, we redirected fans to official channels where their viewership generated real revenue for the league.
• Ekstraklasa regained control of their content, strengthening their brand and market position.
• With piracy under control, Ekstraklasa's broadcasting rights became more valuable, improving their position in rights negotiations.
• Official channels also saw increased engagement, as fans discovered the superior quality and reliability of legitimate content.

How Did We Do It?

We developed a comprehensive defensive strategy that would not only stop pirated content, but also create new opportunities for growth:

• Tackled Piracy Issues and Blocked Illegal Broadcasts

We successfully addressed the piracy problem impacting their revenue, by deploying cutting-edge streaming protection to safeguard over 500 live matches from piracy, ensuring fans had access to high-quality official streams. We also blocked thousands of unauthorized streams and broadcasts.

• Monetized YouTube Content: 

Effectively monetized content on their official YouTube channels, using the platform to organize and monetize Ekstraklasa's rich archive of match footage, making it easy for fans to access content legally while generating new revenue streams.

• Secured Intellectual Property and Strengthened Negotiating Position: 

Ekstraklasa regained control over their intellectual property, as we implemented geo-specific content settings to comply with international licensing agreements. This ensured Ekstraklasa could reach fans worldwide while respecting broadcasting rights.

• Takeover control:

Effectively, through active content management, Ekstraklasa regained control over revenue generation and enhanced their leverage in broadcasting deal negotiations. We then empowered the team with hands-on workshops, teaching them content management best practices to maximize their reach and impact on YouTube.

The Bigger League

Of course, protecting content isn't just about blocking illegal access - it's about creating a better experience for fans while ensuring the sport's financial future. 

When leagues maintain control over their content, everyone wins: the league can invest in better facilities and player development, broadcasters get better returns on their investments, and fans get higher-quality content. Win-win-win (or as they say in the industry, a hat trick!)

Would you like to score big with your content?

Contact BB Media Group to learn how our expertise and approach can help you tackle your unique challenges, connect with your audience meaningfully, and drive revenue. Get in touch today.