Like many other publishers in the online video business, Team Whistle is making a big bet on short-form content. The sports-oriented media company has unveiled an original programming slate that will be distributed across formats like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok.
Team Whistle will increase its short-form presence through five originals, some of which will build on previously-produced shows. The media company formerly known as Whistle Sports has shared the training regimens of top athletes with a series called No Days Off. That program will now get its own spin-off: Meet the Parents will examine how leading sportspeople are inspired by their family members. For viewers who crave more off-the-field insights, Team Players will celebrate philanthropic efforts undertaken by sports pros.
The other new series in Team Whistle’s short-form slate include a pair of programs that resemble typical sports talk shows. Cold Calls will bring Whistle staffers together on FaceTime for a rundown of top sports headlines, while Easy Layup will bring a basketball mini-pod to vertical video formats.
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Alternate Game Plan rounds out Team Whistle’s short-form lineup. It will imagine what top athletes would do if they had chosen career paths other than sports.
Team Whistle will support its short-form shows by surrounding them with highlights from its long-form content. Those cut-down clips will live alongside the videos Whistle already shares on Reels, Shorts, and TikTok, including a number of list-based uploads.
To lead its charge into the short-form world, Team Whistle has assembled an all-star squad led by Leo Fernandez, the publisher’s Senior Director of Development and Short-Form Production. Fernandez’s team will include staffers who have experience at companies like Thrillist, Big Spaceship, and House of Highlights.
“As we witness the growing trend of Gen Z and Millennial audiences flocking to platforms like TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts for both entertainment and education, our commitment to short-form content has never been stronger,” Fernandez said in a statement. “We’re dedicated to meeting their evolving needs by maximizing the production of positive, relatable content that resonates with our viewers.”
As it builds its original programming lineup, Team Whistle is continuing to court creator-athletes, especially those who are harnessing their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights in college settings. The Whistle Creator Program opened earlier this year and continues to accept applications on a rolling basis.
