How TNT Sports Created a Winning March Madness App Experience

TNT Sports is a global leader in premium sports content, delivering unparalleled coverage across television, digital and social platforms. Its partnerships span major leagues and events, including the NCAA, NBA, NHL, Roland-Garros, Premier League, UEFA, WWE, Eurosport and more.  TNT Sports also co-manages NBA Digital, including platforms like NCAA.com and NCAA March Madness Live.

longer live viewing sessions among push audience


more app sessions from Live Activities users vs. non-users 

NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is one of the biggest sporting events of the year, captivating audiences for weeks at a time with engagement reaching far beyond basketball fans. Every year, TNT Sports pioneers new second screen opportunities for tournament viewing. 2023 was no different, as the ultimate live streaming and second screen destination for March Madness. 

TNT Sports  set out to enhance fan experiences with a strategic onboarding experience and a robust push notification strategy, moving their audience through the mobile lifecycle by delivering value and convenience at every step.

As March Madness is one of the biggest marketing moments of the year, major brands battle for consumers’ attention and dollars through culturally relevant experiences. Increased competition and the proliferation of new viewing platforms placed more pressure on TNT Sports to draw customers to the official March Madness Live app, keep them engaged throughout the three-week tournament and inspire ongoing app use year-after-year.

TNT Sports turned to the Airship Experience Platform to create, test and optimize its March Madness app experience and associated messaging.

Through its innovative app strategy, TNT Sports drove the most engaged audience in the app’s history and sparked significant social media buzz about the app experience. The team moved their audience through critical stages of the mobile app lifecycle and across the chasm of no return to increase the value captured from and delivered to their audience. With Airship, TNT Sports drove significant increases in live viewing, while also learning about what resonates most with fans to improve experiences next year. 

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