USA Team Handball selects Joymo to spearhead streaming push…

Joymo has secured a long-term partnership with USA Team Handball (USATH) to become the governing body’s Official Broadcast Partner.

Under the terms of the agreement, Joymo will develop and build a dedicated direct-to-fan streaming service that will broadcast USA Team Handball’s biggest and best events.

Joymo will power the streaming infrastructure and technology and retain the rights to broadcast USA Team Handball competitions globally, enabling fans in the US, and around the world, to watch elite handball events, live and on-demand, across multiple connected devices.

The term of the partnership covers the lead up to Los Angeles 2028, where both Senior Men's and Women's USA National Handball Teams will hope to compete.

Commenting on the partnerships, Mike Emery, CEO of Joymo, said: “This is another hugely exciting partnership for Joymo that will see us work hand-in-hand with a rights holder to launch a direct-to-fan streaming service that has the potential to transform their sport in the coming years.

“USA Team Handball recognises the role live content can play in developing, promoting, and growing the sport’s fanbase, while simultaneously strengthening direct fan relationships to generate more data, engagement and monetisation potential.

“The ability to produce and distribute content has never been more accessible and we know that is what passionate fans crave. Joymo offers rights holders an efficient and affordable entry point to subscription-based owned and operated live streaming services, enabling them to focus on content delivery, marketing and maximising revenues around live streaming,” Emery added.

“This partnership is a major milestone that will be fundamental to the future of handball in the United States. Streaming content and competitions is a key part of our strategy to grow the sport at all levels which, ultimately, will increase our talent pool and enable US athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence and compete in international and Olympic competitions,” said USA Team Handball CEO Ryan Johnson.

One of USA Team Handball’s key objectives is to support its national teams with the goal of competing internationally and qualifying for upcoming Olympic Games. In 2022, a number of milestones were reached as the Men’s Senior indoor team won the continental championships and qualified for the World Championships for the first time 22 years.

Also on the court, the women’s junior indoor team qualified for the junior world championships for the first time in 41 years. On the sand, both men’s and women’s beach teams qualified for the main round at the World Championships (first time ever for the women’s team), and both teams also finished 4th at the 2022 World Beach Games.

“Consistent international success will help inspire a whole new generation of handball players and we need to be able to serve existing and new fans and followers of the sport with access to watch our best player in action so they can deepen their bond with the sport. Working with Joymo to create this platform is key to our model for elite-level international success, whilst energising a growing base of players,” Johnson added.

The deal with USA Team Handball follows similar long-term commitments for Joymo with Basketball Ireland and British Weight Lifting signed earlier this year, as rights holders increasingly recognise the direct-to-fan opportunities that exist for their sports.