120 Sports
120 Sports, a real-time, all-encompassing live video sports programming network featuring sports programs from around major sports leagues.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
* | N/A | Seed | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
120 Sports emerged in 2014 as a digital-first sports media venture, targeting the viewing habits of a younger, mobile-oriented audience. The company was structured as a joint venture, backed by prominent entities including Time Inc. (the parent company of Sports Illustrated), MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), the National Hockey League (NHL), and the Chicago-based digital media company Silver Chalice, which is led by Chicago Bulls and White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. Jason Coyle served as the president of the company. The core concept was to deliver sports content in easily digestible, two-minute segments, a strategy reflected in its name.
The business operated on an ad-supported model, requiring no subscription for its live and on-demand programming. Its content strategy revolved around delivering real-time sports news, highlights, and analysis, with a significant emphasis on integrating social media conversations into its live shows. The programming was accessible through a dedicated app on mobile devices and tablets, as well as on its website, 120sports.com, and through distribution partners like SI.com. The technology platform, built by MLBAM, was designed to intuitively combine video with data and statistics, allowing for a customizable user experience. Production was based out of a state-of-the-art facility in Chicago's Harpo Studios.
In April 2017, a significant strategic shift occurred when Silver Chalice and Sinclair Broadcast Group partnered to merge 120 Sports with Campus Insiders and the American Sports Network. This merger resulted in the formation of Stadium, a new multi-platform sports network designed to leverage the strengths of each entity across linear and digital distribution channels. This marked the conclusion of the 120 Sports brand as a standalone entity, with its operations and content being absorbed into the newly formed Stadium network.
Keywords: digital sports media, live streaming sports, sports highlights, mobile sports content, ad-supported streaming, Silver Chalice, MLB Advanced Media, Jerry Reinsdorf, Jason Coyle, Stadium network, American Sports Network, Campus Insiders, sports video platform, online sports network, real-time sports news, social media integration, sports data, digital generation, sports broadcasting, sports media joint venture