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- DAZN X will serve all of the OTT platform’s core markets
- Proprietary cloud tech synchronises feeds and enables new features
- Texel’s 50 staff will join company as part of acquisition
Sports streaming subscription service DAZN has launched a new technology hub that will create new products and services to support its efforts to engage audiences and drive revenues in adjacent markets.
‘DAZN X’ is launching on the back of the company’s acquisition of Israeli video streaming specialist Texel. Founded in 2016, Tel Aviv-based Texel has developed proprietary cloud-based video technology that synchronises various feeds so over-the-top (OTT) providers can personalise their services and deliver additional content layers to viewers.
The ‘Engagement Cloud’ platform also enables multi-screen social experiences that allow multiple viewers to watch live events together at the same time.
These capabilities are especially attractive to DAZN given its desire to diversify beyond subscription income and generate revenues from betting, merchandise, and other digital services. Texel’s 50 staff will join DAZN’s existing technology and product teams at DAZN X, which will act as a horizontal business function serving all the company’s core markets.
No specific features have been mentioned by the company other than that viewers will soon be able to ‘talk, share, shop and play’ with their friends and fan communities while streaming live events, driving engagement levels and encouraging subscribers to spend more while using the application.
“We are here to revolutionise the sports viewing experience by making it more exciting, more sociable and engaging,” declared Shay Segev, DAZN’s co-chief executive. “Our acquisition of Texel and the launch of DAZN X significantly accelerates our strategy and positions us as the world’s leading sports innovator.”
“DAZN shares our vision of redefining the viewer experience by providing richer, more relevant and interactive content,” added Amir Segev, chief executive and co-founder of Texel. “We are immensely motivated as we join the fantastic teams at DAZN to innovate and reshape sports viewing for the better.”
