We’ve been incredibly busy lately. In just the last few weeks alone, we’ve seen over 30,000 views on events we’ve produced around Asia, broadcasted directly on AsianSports+ (ASN+). The response has been amazing overall, but I also see the small percentage of criticism, feedback, and ideas that come our way and I genuinely appreciate all of it. Today, I want to take a moment to address our ASN+ service and explain a little bit of the thought process behind it.

I’ll let you in on a little secret… ASN+ isn’t about chasing millions of dollars, rupiahs, or pesos right out of the gate. We are a young company trying something entirely new. We aren’t just building a live broadcast platform from scratch. We are building something that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world, and we are doing it right here in Asia. And of course, when you are pioneering a platform like this, there are always going to be some teething issues. But the meaning behind what we are doing is good, and the truth is, this isn’t just about the $2 for us. It’s about building something from the ground up that brings grassroots sporting events to your screen. That $2 is simply how we gauge real commitment from the events, the fans, the friends, and the families.

To give you a little more insight into what happens behind the scenes of an ASN+ broadcast: we invest heavily in the production. We fly teams out to remote locations, and we pay all of our contractors, right across Asia, industry-standard daily rates. On top of the live broadcast, we provide social media content, promotion, media assets, and highlight reels, all as part of our package for event organizers who often pay us nothing out of pocket. We do this because it’s in our best interest that the event succeeds and that our production is the best it can possibly be.

Last week alone, our ASN+ streams pulled in over 15,000 views. That is 15,000 eyeballs on athletes and events that otherwise wouldn’t have had a platform. And those aren’t just 15,000 passive scrollers mindlessly flicking past a video on Facebook or YouTube; those are 15,000 dedicated fans who cared enough to subscribe and engage.

We aren’t just a young company; we are a young company championing emerging sports communities. When we first went to Taiwan 10-15 years ago for a video trip, there was barely anyone surfing. Fast forward to two weeks ago: we broadcast a one-day event in Taiwan packed with new surfers, all super keen to make their mark and that stream ended up being one of the most popular we’ve ever broadcast. Another example is the massive boom of Padel in Bali. We produced the first-ever full Padel broadcast from the island, and now, there is a live match happening nearly every single day. It’s these results that really keep us going.

So, the next time you’re considering subscribing to ASN+, spare a thought for what you are actually funding. We don’t have to support these events but when you pay that $2 USD, 20,000 IDR, or 70 PHP, you do so knowing you’re supporting grassroots sports, backing a growing startup, and elevating an event that you most likely wouldn’t be able to watch otherwise.

If you don’t want to watch, you absolutely don’t have to subscribe. But please understand the reality of what it takes to put these broadcasts together before complaining to our team about the price.

To put it in perspective, here’s a list of things you most likely spend more than $2 on without a second thought:

  • A $5 coffee.
  • $3 ATM fee.
  • $10 block of wax you’re buying for the 3rd time after using it once.
  • Or the $20 tube of Padel balls you’re buying to replace the ones you bought yesterday and left at home.
  • That streaming service subscription you forgot to cancel 3 months ago.

If $2 is a too much for you, email me and I will give you a month subscription for free. And hey, if you want to cancel your subscription when the event you tuned in for finishes, do it. Honestly, I probably would too (if I actually remembered!). Or, don’t. Hang in there like so many of you already do, waiting for that next broadcast whether it’s in a week, a month, or a year. We might not be staring at the ASN+ bank account, but we sure as hell see the people who stick around with us.

Support grassroots sports. Support the athletes.

– Sam Norwood, CEO, Asian Sports Network