ABSTRACT
Research question
This paper examines how displaying fans in the stadium using different types of visual content (pictures and videos) influences media consumers’ responses to sport leagues previously unknown to them. Specifically, we investigate how high versus low displays of social atmospherics in pictures and videos affect consumers’ cognitive (attributions of attractiveness to the league) and affective (emotional arousal) responses. In addition, we analyze how these responses transfer to intentions to watch future broadcasts.
Research methods
The hypotheses are tested in two online experiments using one-factorial (social atmospherics: high versus low) between-subjects designs. The research context is German sport media consumers and promotional material of the Australian Football League (AFL).
Results and findings
The findings suggest that displaying high (versus low) social atmospherics in pictures can increase the perceived attractiveness that consumers attribute to a new sport league, while such content in videos increases consumers’ emotional arousal. These cognitive and affective processes transfer to intentions to view future broadcasts of the league.
Implications
Our findings imply that while on-site fans are declining in relative numbers in media-dominated professional team sport markets, these fans are highly relevant for the success of team sport-related media offers and the attraction of new consumers.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).