UK boxing fans who subscribe to streaming platform, DAZN, were recently landed with an email explaining a price increase across the board.
Many took to social media to criticise the new model, pointing to the fact that they would be signing up for a year without knowing the full schedule or being made aware how many, if any, events were going to be an extra cost box office event.
Eddie Hearn – whose promotional company, Matchroom, is partnered with DAZN as a global broadcaster – told Boxing Social that it was a way to encourage loyalty.
“It’s an effort from DAZN to look after the loyal subscribers. Ultimately, they have found, that a huge majority of their subscribers have been with them through its inception and stay every single month. And with that respect, if you were a DAZN subscriber, the price doesn’t actually change, really.”
“So what you’re getting now is pay-per-view fights like Joshua against Franklin. We all know it’s £24.95 on every other platform. Taylor Serrano in Ireland, which would’ve been pay-per-view on any other platform. As part of your £8 a month subscription.”
“If you do want to pop in and pop out, watch a little Misfits on one night, you’re gonna have to pay extra. We want to encourage people to be part of the platform, and to enjoy great fights internationally month in month out.”
The promoter then ensured fans that he would provide value for the fees.
“The reality is, I believe, that everybody that consistently subscribes to DAZN is happy with the value for money they’re getting … What we’ve done now it we’ve improved the schedule. We’ve put in pay-per-view fights and taken them off pay-per-view.”
“Really what you have to ask yourself now is, do you believe for the rest of the year we will continue to give value? The answer is yes absolutely.”
DAZN’s 2023 UK schedule kicks off next week with a featherweight world title fight between WBA champion, Leigh Wood, and Mauricio Lara.