World Boxing News predicted the inception of a DAZN Pay Per View service almost two years before it eventually came to fruition. Not only the inception but the exact way they would implement the model.
In October 2021, DAZN made the move they promised they would never do when launching. However, they stated they would destroy Pay Per View in a ‘game-changing’ statement years earlier.
In January 2020, WBN could not see how this was possible at the speed people were signing up for the platform.
Looking back at the article today, it’s easy to see how similar WBN’s idea was to the near reality for boxing fans.
After handing out massive contracts to Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, World Boxing News made some serious points asking the all-important question of sustainability.
What was predicted in a strange coincidence became a new era for DAZN.
WBN on DAZN’s Pay-Per-View future
“How do DAZN move forward? It’s quite obvious…and doesn’t mean hiking the price to $50, as [Matchroom promoter Eddie] Hearn suggested. That would be nigh on business suicide,” read the 2020 blueprint.
“A much more viable option would be for DAZN to launch a PPV service of its own.
“For example, it would be more viable if they charged $69.99 for non-subscribers and $19.99 extra for those signed up for the current module.
“Any move of that ilk would need to see the $19.99 per month on offer right now. Up from an original $9.99, reversed.
“Paying $9.99 for standard shows each month [doing away with the $99.99 yearly] and an extra $19.99 for four to six events per year would be the order of the day.
“Those not signed up could then have the option to either sign up and pay the combined cost of around thirty bucks to view the PPV and the rest of the month, with the added bonus for DAZN that they may well stay on when the price goes back to ten bucks the next month.
PPV
“This would mean never having back-to-back PPVs in consecutive months, but it is very doable.
“It’s just a thought. Maybe one that could result in more revenue over twelve months than simply relying on a product that isn’t fully matured yet.
“Too many mediocre shows are currently going down on DAZN. This means a precarious future until fully resolved.”
The last part still hasn’t fully been solved, but everything else has come to fruition. The future of DAZN seems to have been secured for the long term. However, getting there took a bumpy road and a massive broken promise.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of experienced boxing writer Phil Jay.
