In the 48-minute sports media podcast, YouTube VP of Subscriptions, Christian Oestlien, is the guest on “The Main Event with Andrew Marchand.” Oestlien is quickly becoming one of the most important executives in all of sports as YouTube and YouTube TV grow as dominant platforms in sports viewing.
Oestlien explains what YouTube is trying to accomplish in sports, its interest in the NFL and other rights, how it syncs with YouTube TV, its network partners and leagues. And much more.
The podcast was part of the “Off The Record with Andrew Marchand presented by WSC Sports” series.
Previous guests have included Jimmy Pitaro, Rick Cordella, Gary Bettman, Jay Marine, Mark Shapiro and Hans Schroeder.
The Rundown …
Oestlien had 16 interviews for his first job at Google and any of them had veto power
His childhood gives him unique experience for YouTube’s global goals
What should people understand about YouTube & YouTube TV & sports
The 2015 mission to become the home of clips & highlights
40 billion hours of sports content were watched on YouTube last year
YouTube wants to become great partners for leagues, broadcast and media companies and for the fan experience
How creator partnerships with leagues work
Should leagues be scared that young fans may want to watch creators more than the game
The Brazil example of creator Casimiro Miguel, who turbocharged soccer viewership more than the league channels … and this could be next in the United States
What was the biggest milestone over the past decade … MLB is one
Sunday Ticket was a wake-up call to everyone about the seriousness of YouTube with sports
Cristiano Ronaldo got to how many subs in a week …
YouTube has the upcoming World Cup rights in Brazil, which feels like another testing ground
What were the reasons behind completing the seven-year, $14 billion Sunday Ticket deal with the NFL that began in 2023
Oestlien’s father played for Norway’s national soccer team
How good was Oestlien
YouTube wanted to evolve Sunday Ticket
How many subscriptions does Sunday Ticket have
How YouTube TV melds with Sunday Ticket
How did YouTube’s first NFL game last year go in Oestlien’s opinion
The 100 day sprint to produce the Chiefs-Chargers game
YouTube is confident it can drive even bigger numbers on NFL
Repetition is the key and “whole household” events
The idea that live sports are going toward the creators
Why is YouTube interested in the four NFL regular season games up for auction for this upcoming season
Does YouTube want to have a full NFL package
The relationship for YouTube is to attempt to be the best partners with networks, leagues and all platforms
YouTube was involved in the NBA’s last negotiation in a big way, but didn’t get one of the three packages
Do live global sports really work
How YouTube looks at it
The NBC Olympic example is a potential global model
How can YouTube solve the local problem for MLB, the NBA and the NHL
YouTube could eliminate artificial boundaries
How does YouTube and YouTube TV make it simpler for the consumer
Oestlien apologized for the YouTube TV-ESPN blackout
The positive results of the NBC and ESPN negotiations
Oestlien turns the tables and asks Marchand how he views the aggregation
Spectrum has brought the apps into its service
The price point for YouTube TV new sports package
What are the chances of adding local sports games to YouTube, which the RSNs used to provide
When will ESPN Unlimited be available for YouTube TV customers
How “Ask YouTube” uses AI
The many and varied ways AI will impact YouTube
AI will solve the discovery issue
Subscribe at AndrewMarchand.com
On Deck: Marchand & Meterparel
