Hibs first in SPFL to join 'ground-breaking' new platform that allows fans to watch club content for free

Hibs have joined a "ground-breaking" new initiative that will allow fans to watch club content online for free – while also boosting club income.

The Easter Road outfit is the first club in Scotland to join Recast, an Edinburgh-based sports video platform which connects fans directly to content featuring their favourite clubs via a subscription-free app.

The “pioneering partnership” will allow Hibs fans to inject cash straight into the club by simply watching goal clips, highlights and behind-the-scenes content on the brand new platform, which will run alongside the current Hibs TV coverage.

Fans can earn in-app credits by simply signing up, watching adverts, sharing content and inviting friends, which will allow fans to watch their favourite content for free.

Hibs stars Christian Doidge and Paul McGinn help launch the Recast partnership at HTC (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

With all revenue generated being reinvested back into the club, the goal for Hibs is to maximise earning potential, without further financially impacting fans.

Greg McEwan, head of marketing and brand partnerships at Hibs, said: “We are delighted to be the first Scottish football club to partner with Recast. This will allow fans to get direct, affordable and flexible access to content like never before, which will complement existing channels, including Hibs TV.

"This pioneering new concept will not only allow us to ensure we are exploring new revenue streams but as Recast is a platform that gives value back to the fans, we believe this opens the doors to a new way of thinking for sports fans and clubs alike.

"We’re very much looking forward to seeing our relationship with Recast grow and evolve over the coming months and years.”

The platform promises to provide brand new and continuously refreshed Hibs content for UK users in the first instance, with plans in place to eventually extend outside the UK.

In a statement announcing the link-up, Recast said it “rewards fans for their engagement on the platform, which in turn generates value for the content publisher, meaning fans can now watch content knowing the value generated is going directly to the club they support.”

It added: “Recast is already working with several high-profile rights’ holders and bodies using its ground-breaking technology to help maximise their earning potential from highlights, in-play clips and live events ahead of its full UK launch this year.”

Recast founder and CEO Andy Meikle said: “We are thrilled to welcome Hibernian FC to Recast and work closely with them in this landmark partnership, which will deliver greater value to both the fans and the club.

"It’s no secret that how fans watch sport is changing and a model that works for both fans and rights’ holders is needed to reflect this. Hibernian are leading the charge on addressing these changes, by going direct-to-consumer with a range of unique and exclusive content on Recast where fans get rewarded for their attention and the club can maximise revenue potential.

"We are working in partnership with world-class clubs, sporting bodies and rights holders around the globe who are addressing shifting consumption and payment patterns, and with Hibernian being one of the biggest clubs in Scottish football, we are delighted to welcome them to our roster of rights’ holder partners.”

Hibs fans can sign up for free at www.recast.app.

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