Buzzer, the mobile-focused sports streaming platform, has announced that it will stop supporting its consumer app and shift its focus to become a technology provider for leagues, teams, and networks broadcasting directly to fans. The move comes after Buzzer raised $20m in new funding to help license its technology to third parties.
Buzzer initially offered fans the ability to pay $0.99 for clips of live game streams and had inked deals with major sports organizations such as the NBA, NHL, and ATP Tour. The platform also had agreements with sports streaming subscription service DAZN and betting firm FanDuel.
Buzzer’s CEO, Bo Han, had already discussed the need to no longer restrict the company’s technology to its own application in order to enable it to work with sports’ biggest rights holders. Han stated that Buzzer wanted to become the “operating system for live sports on mobile” and that the company had opened talks with major rights holders and broadcasters.
Buzzer’s efforts to refine its business model come as leagues and teams continue to show more interest in having greater control over the digital distribution of their games. Buzzer is trying to stand out in the crowded streaming technology market by leaning into its focus on mobile experiences and attracting a youthful demographic. Han has stated the average Buzzer user is 27 years old.
“Our suite of offerings leverages infrastructure, insights, [and] proprietary technology that we developed and refined over the past three years,” said Han.
“We truly believe that we can be a trusted partner for streaming services that really embrace curated, timely inputs for fans, especially young fans.”
Buzzer’s offering will enable the company to be a “trusted partner” for streaming platforms, particularly those targeting younger viewers. The company plans to test its offering with multiple partners this summer, but no timeline has been announced for closing down the Buzzer app. The startup’s workforce has shrunk to fewer than 30 employees, having stood at as many as 65 early last year. Han described the decision to shut down Buzzer’s app as “emotional” and discussed the impact it would have on the company’s workforce.