Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), spearheaded by promoter Al Haymon, is on the brink of forging a new partnership with Amazon Prime for broadcasting rights. PBC coming to Amazon Prime will be huge for boxing, to join a platform with over 160 million subscribers is a win for Al Haymon and boxing fans in 2024.
PBC Amazon Prime
The first boxing bout to kick off the PBC-Amazon Prime deal is set to be boxing start Gervonta Davis taking on Isaac Cruz in a rematch this January.
PBC was in a crucial position to secure this deal, especially with Showtime boxing concluding its run. As numerous major sports have shifted to the subscription model, PBC had to adapt to maintain momentum.
Otherwise, there was a risk that Haymon’s fighters might switch to Top Rank for ESPN competitions or consider joining Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing for bouts on DAZN.
Showtime Boxing Era Replaced by Amazon Prime Boxing
This move comes in the wake of Paramount’s decision to phase out the Showtime Sports brand by the end of 2023, a platform that has been synonymous with boxing broadcasts for over three decades.
The potential Amazon Prime deal marks a significant shift towards streaming platforms in the sports broadcasting domain, reflecting the changing preferences of viewers who are increasingly favoring online streaming services over traditional cable TV.
Amazon Prime, distinguished by its live sports streaming capabilities exemplified through its coverage of Thursday Night Football, appears to be a strategic choice for PBC.
The deal represents a promising opportunity for PBC to expand its audience reach significantly beyond what was possible with Showtime.
This transition to streaming platforms like Amazon Prime is indicative of the broader trends in the sports broadcasting industry, where traditional cable networks are gradually being overshadowed by the growing appeal and convenience of streaming services.
