Bluesky Challenges Twitter with NBA Playoff Feature

Bluesky Launches Live Event Feature During NBA Playoffs

Amidst the ongoing NBA playoffs, Bluesky has initiated beta testing of a novel feature designed to enhance user experience during live games.

A distinctive red border, labeled “live,” will now frame posts originating from the NBA’s official account while a game is actively being played.

Redirecting Users to Live Events

Clicking on the NBA’s profile picture will directly link users to the event being promoted, potentially leading them off the Bluesky platform.

Rose Wang, Bluesky’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the platform’s philosophy: “We aren’t trapping you in Bluesky.” The goal is to facilitate discovery of current events.

A Different Approach to Sports Content

Previously, under different management, Twitter attempted to integrate live sports streaming directly into its platform.

This involved substantial financial investments in licensing agreements with various sports organizations.

Bluesky's Financial Model

However, Bluesky operates on a venture capital model and doesn't depend on advertising revenue, unlike many competing social media platforms.

Consequently, Bluesky’s success isn’t directly tied to maximizing user time on the platform, provided users find the experience engaging and return frequently.

This allows Bluesky to efficiently guide users to external sports broadcasts without incurring the significant costs associated with acquiring streaming rights.

Expanding to the WNBA

Wang also announced that the platform will extend testing of this feature to include games from the WNBA.

The Value of Real-Time Sports Conversation

Investing in features catering to sports enthusiasts is a strategic move for Bluesky.

The real-time discussion surrounding sports, traditionally known as “Sports Twitter,” continues to be a highly valued resource for fans.

While some fans have transitioned to Bluesky, others remain on the more established platform due to its larger user base and broader sports-related conversations.

Bluesky aims to capture a portion of this valuable engagement by enhancing its utility for live event followers.