Benfica have launched a new exclusive streaming service for supporters, in a move that must hold some interest to the key decision makers at Celtic.
While details of the Portuguese giants’ new venture are sketchy, journalist Zach Lowy says “Benfica Play” will be offered to fans in two languages and feature behind-the-scenes content from the club.
He wrote: “Benfica have launched “Benfica Play,” an exclusive content/streaming service for fans, available in Portuguese and English.
“This is the future; more clubs will follow Benfica’s example in the coming years to provide fans with behind-the-scenes content.”
The attached screenshots in the tweet seem to show a number of different videos, including live match streams, on the service’s dashboard. It also shows a number of subscription options including daily, monthly and yearly.
Celtic and Benfica similarities make this interesting
Given that Benfica are very similar to Celtic, in terms of being a big club in a smaller division just over the border from a mega league, surely the new service must be of some interest to us.
Celtic TV offer a subscription service at present but it is mainly geared to supporters outwith the country – in terms of live match broadcasts at least.
The club have had tremendous success with a number of their behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube in recent months. While putting those kind of videos behind a paywall might not be appreciated by most, many would be keen to pay for them in addition to more match based content.
And if all the money from such a subscription service was going to the club then fans would be even keener to part with their cash.
Celtic could make a killing with live match coverage, behind-the-scenes content and archive videos. Put all of those into a service, with some good branding and a positive message and we really could have something.
But for now we’ll just have to look on with envy as Benfica set the tone for the coming years.
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