Last week, we hosted our first-ever Dolby Day for Sports at our London office, and what a day it was! The event brought together a crowd of industry professionals to discuss one of the most dynamic topics in sports today: the future of fan engagement, hyper-personalization, monetization opportunities, live streaming innovations, and everything else that fuels the evolving world of live sports.
We designed the day to ignite conversations and highlight how Dolby OptiView is changing the live sports experience with selectable latency and consistent, high-quality streaming. If you weren’t able to join us, here’s everything you need to know.
Key speakers and insights
The event featured an outstanding lineup of speakers sharing their expertise on the technology and strategies framing the future of sports streaming.
Giles Baker, Senior V.P. Dolby Cloud Solutions
Giles hosted the VIP event for attendees, showcasing Dolby’s rich legacy in sound and vision innovation. He highlighted how Dolby OptiView is designed for today’s live sports audiences, delivering immersive streaming experiences with seamlessly integrated targeted advertising.
Emphasizing the importance of continuing Dolby’s tradition of entertainment excellence, Giles underscored the value of partnering with a dedicated team like Dolby OptiView to redefine the future of sports entertainment.
Steven Bonner: simplifying the fan journey
Drawing from his experience with LIV Golf, Steven Bonner offered insights into optimizing fan experiences in a saturated market. He spoke about the importance of reducing friction in the fan’s digital path—from discovery to engagement. Steven emphasized that “fans are bombarded with content across countless platforms” and that traditional engagement models are struggling.
By simplifying these journeys, sports properties can create stronger, more meaningful connections with their audiences.
Alex Hunte: creator ecosystems
Alex Hunte, Digital Strategy Consultant for GENSport, explored the shift from traditional broadcasting to creator-driven ecosystems. Highlighting the demand for authentic, interactive engagement, Alex described fans as “broadcasters and cultural amplifiers.” He urged sports organizations to partner with creators who provide insider perspectives that resonate with younger audiences.
By fostering community-driven platforms and meeting fans where they are, this approach builds connections and unites audiences around shared excitement.
Carlo De Marchis: real-time engagement and the fan ecosystem
In his session, “From Lag to Loyalty”, Carlo De Marchis discussed how real-time engagement and video-first experiences can deepen fan loyalty while opening paths to sustainable monetization. Carlo, who is an experienced sports consultant, highlighted the fan ecosystem, covering everything from media and sports apps to social media, while emphasizing the role of AI and the product strategy for engaging fans across multiple touchpoints.
His insights underscored the importance of creating a true value exchange with fans, proving that live streaming isn’t just about technology; it’s about trust and long-term relationships.
Braden R. Riggs: latency and ad innovations
No discussion about live sports streaming would be complete without addressing latency. Braden Riggs, Sales Engineering Team Lead for Dolby OptiView, highlighted how Dolby OptiView solves for low and consistent delays, which are crucial for delivering a seamless viewing experience. He also introduced Server-Guided Ad Insertion (SGAI), a monetization solution featuring non-intrusive ad formats that integrate effortlessly with live sports content.
When comparing SGAI to SSAI, Braden’s results were striking: a significant boost in ad revenue, a 76% increase in average eCPM, a 132% improvement in fill rates, and more.
Why Dolby OptiView is a long-term partner
A key takeaway from the event was Dolby’s long-term vision. While our research teams are envisioning the next decade, our product teams are focused on delivering solutions that meet the sports industry’s current needs. Dolby OptiView isn’t just solving today’s challenges; we’re shaping the future of the industry.
Beyond breathtaking picture quality and immersive audio, Dolby OptiView is designed to solve the critical challenges of live sports streaming, such as:
- Low and consistent latency: Ensuring fans experience real-time action without delays, regardless of what device they’re using.
- Seamless ad insertion: Enabling smooth transitions for in-stream advertisements so they don’t disrupt the viewing experience.
- Ad relevance: Using real-time data analysis to serve the right ads to the right viewers, boosting engagement and revenue.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Delivering premium video quality through an industry-leading player that works across all devices.
What’s next? Join us in New York.
From simplifying fan journeys to creating low-latency, personalized streams, the discussions at Dolby Sport Day made one thing clear: the future belongs to sports organizations that prioritize immersive, interactive, and truly fan-first experiences.
Interested in presenting at the next Dolby OptiView Sports Day event? Reach out to us—we’re excited to collaborate and create the future of sports and fan engagement together.
Learn more about the Dolby OptiView Live Sports solution.
