DAZN Subscribers Numbers Surpass 15 Million as Revenue Soars 260%

Global Sports Streaming Giant Expands Its Reach with Over 75 New Rights Acquisitions

DAZN, the global sports streaming service, has announced a substantial growth in both subscribers and revenue in its latest annual review. With over 75 new sports rights acquired in the past year, DAZN is now recognized as the world’s largest sports broadcaster. The company revealed that its premium paying subscriber base has exceeded 15 million across 200 markets, marking a significant milestone for the platform.

Revenue Growth and Financial Performance

DAZN’s revenue for 2022 reached an impressive $2.3 billion, a 67% increase from 2021 and a staggering 260% growth compared to 2020. Despite these promising numbers, the company is still grappling with overall financial losses. The network’s 2021 accounts, made public this week, showed a loss of $2.33 billion, contributing to a total loss of $5 billion over the past three years. The operating loss for 2021 alone stood at $1.36 billion.

However, there are signs of improvement. According to Sports Business, DAZN’s yet-to-be-published 2022 accounts are expected to show a better financial picture. The outlet reports that if DAZN’s Q4 2022 performance were to be extended across the entire year, the operating loss would drop to between $300 million and $400 million—significantly lower than previous years.

Key Markets and Sports Rights

DAZN’s success has been largely driven by its extensive portfolio of sports rights. The platform holds broadcast rights for major domestic football leagues in key markets, including Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga, and Japan’s J League. These leagues form the backbone of DAZN’s content offering and have played a pivotal role in its financial growth.

While DAZN’s boxing investments are also significant, featuring partnerships with Matchroom, Golden Boy, and Misfits, boxing constitutes a relatively small part of the overall business strategy. The bulk of DAZN’s financial performance hinges on its success in the football-heavy markets, where its investments have been most impactful.

A Bright Future for DAZN?

As DAZN continues to grow its subscriber base and expand its portfolio of sports rights, the platform appears to be on the road to financial recovery. With improved financial projections for 2022 and an increasing foothold in global sports broadcasting, the company is positioning itself as a dominant player in the sports streaming market.

The challenges remain, particularly in balancing its operational losses, but with continued growth in subscribers and a strong portfolio, DAZN is poised to maintain its upward trajectory in the coming years.