Video Transcript:
Hey guys, I know you haven’t heard from me in a while and I wanted to give you all an important update. As you guys may know, I started the World Axe Throwing League nearly eight years ago. The goal has always been then, as it is now, to continue with our growth. Part of that growth objective was to actually get us on air on ESPN. And we were able to accomplish this despite only being around for a year. It was a huge goal and back then ESPN was the perfect partner. Fast forward to today, and we live in much more challenging times. Streaming has taken off to the point where no one could have predicted it to be where it is today.
And as a result, companies like ESPN and Fox Sports, they’re all navigating through these waters. I have spoken to both of them and they’re both focused on what is called a stick and ball strategy. Meaning that unless it has a stick like a hockey stick or there’s some sort of a ball, football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, you name it, that’s what they have to focus on in order to focus on ratings. And even basketball has seen their ratings drop by over 48%. It’s a very difficult time to be a broadcaster. And ESPN has been a great partner throughout all these years, but unfortunately today it is no longer a fit. And don’t get me wrong, we have great relationships with ESPN. They’ve been fabulous over the years, and I’d like to say we’ve been a great partner of theirs as well. Our events have aired over a 100 times, but unfortunately, the options available to us for the World Championship would be to air it nearly 5 months after the event. And if I’m being perfectly candid with you all, the viewership numbers no longer make sense to us.
We have unfortunately reached a point where there’s no longer a mutual benefit because in order for us to actually move forward with this, there needs to be a benefit to WATL as well. If you also consider the fact that even large platforms, the biggest one in the world, Netflix, is even stating that their biggest competitor is actually Tik Tok gives you an idea of how quickly the landscape has changed from 2018 until today.
The World Championship will always be a high quality production. That’s something I’ve always been proud of. That’s something that we will continue to execute on. And naturally, this is not a goodbye forever, It’s a goodbye for now. The reason I’m making this video is so there could be no unequivocal terms that could be possibly misconstrued other than the truth that are coming directly from me. We will continue down this path of transparency while also focusing on growth. Because we are also at a point right now where ESPN is no longer going to meet those growth objectives. We’re in a very tough economic climate. Venues are unfortunately closing down but I’ve been working very hard with the WATL team in some new growth objectives and plans that will be launching in the spring.
A Note from The Commissioners of WATL and WKTL
Switching to live streaming via our social media channels provides a unique opportunity that we haven’t had for several years, to provide the World Axe and Knife Throwing Championship to the entire world live. ESPN had exclusive rights to broadcast the event until it was released to WATL/WKTL at a later date and during that time frame, it was only available to viewers in the USA. Now, everyone around the world will be able to watch and enjoy our sport together with the same great quality and production as Axe and Knife Throwing deserves. We’re confident with this new broadcast style that we’re going to reach more eyes than ever before.
To follow along and not miss the live stream make sure to follow the World Axe Throwing League on YouTube where we’ll have the broadcast for the World Axe and Knife Throwing Championship in April!
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