On today’s episode, I’m joined by Rob Pilgrim, Head of Sport & Primetime at YouTube EMEA.

Rob has spent the last eight years leading YouTube’s end-to-end sports business across the region, from commercial deals and product launches to strategy and societal impact. He’s helped build a team that’s landed global rights deals, launched paid products like Primetime Channels, and championed the platform’s role in accelerating the growth of women’s sport.

In this conversation, we explore what that future looks like — through the lens of YouTube CEO Neal Mohan’s four big bets: AI, Creators as Studios, The Living Room, and Protecting the Creator Economy. If you care about how sport is being reshaped by platforms and creators, this one’s a must-listen.

Timestamps

02:00 – Rob’s Career Journey

06:00 – YouTube’s Evolution in Sport

09:00 – What Partnerships Really Mean at YouTube

12:00 – Broadcasters as Partners, Not Competitors

15:30 – Sky Sports Case Study

17:00 – DAZN & Women’s Champions League

20:45 – Redefining “Free to Air and Rise of YouTube on smart TVs

25:30 – Fragmentation, Friction & the Future of Viewing

28:20 – Alternative Feeds & Personalised Viewing

32:15 – The Creator → Broadcaster Evolution

35:00 – Future of Exclusivity in Sports Rights

38:00 – NFL & Creator Access

41:00 – Rethinking the Media Rights Revenue Model

43:00 – The Role of AI at YouTube

45:00 – Final Thoughts

Additional Links

Connect with Rob on LinkedIn - Here

Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - Here