The global video streaming market was valued at approximately $98 billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it could reach $316 billion by 2030. DAZN's $5 billion sports catalog is now streaming directly inside Telegram — no app downloads, no separate subscriptions, just premium sports content where you already spend your time, powered by rewards that actually pay you to watch.

TENT Studios made this possible through the official licensing deal between a major broadcaster and Telegram's mini-app ecosystem. Their soft-launch reached 30,000 monthly active users in just two weeks.

The Product

TENT Studios is a product studio bringing licensed entertainment directly to Telegram users. The DAZN mini app launched this summer with The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, targeting Brazil, North America, and select European markets. Users were able to access top-tier sports content instantly through @DAZNOFFICIAL_BOT without downloads or signups.

"We're ambitious, but as a market pioneer, there are also challenges," remarks Founder Michael Watford. "However, it's the users who will always come first, and so we soft-launched the DAZN mini app to ensure we deliver the best possible experience."

Content spreads through shares, discussions happen in real-time, and viewing becomes inherently social. Instead of watching alone, you're part of a community experience built into Telegram's messaging DNA.

The Team

Founders Serge Suchkov, Vinny O'Grady, and Michael Watford combine deep Telegram ecosystem experience with traditional media expertise. Serge founded Ylem, a Telegram-focused venture studio, and sits on boards for bemo.finance and tac.build after exiting Radario. Vinny bridges tech fundraising with corporate media partnerships. Michael drives digital content strategy and marketing.

"What our partners need to realize is that the Telegram Universe is different, it's not one size fits all," notes Michael. "Telegram users are smart, and brands need to tailor their proposition, fully integrating."

TENT Rewards: Getting Paid to Watch

At the core of TENT's platform sits a watch-to-earn system that rewards genuine engagement. Users earn points for meaningful actions: joining watch-alongs, inviting friends, completing content quests, and engaging with community discussions.

These points convert to real value: subscription discounts, pay-per-view credits, exclusive content drops, and premium community experiences. The system operates across all TENT programming, starting with DAZN and expanding to future content partnerships.

The rewards run on TON's payment infrastructure, enabling instant micropayments without the high fees that plague other blockchains. Users earn and spend tokens seamlessly within Telegram, no technical knowledge required.

Early Results and Growth

TENT's 30,000 monthly active users in two weeks demonstrates both content quality and Telegram's viral distribution power. Sports clips spread through group chats, friends recommend matches, and viewing becomes a shared experience. This organic growth costs significantly less than traditional streaming customer acquisition while building stronger user engagement.

Telegram's 1 billion users represent a massive addressable market largely untapped by premium entertainment companies. TENT's pioneering advantage in licensed content creates natural barriers for competitors.

TON Integration Advantage

"Composability is massive for us," says Michael. "Bots, mini apps, channels and the on-chain rewards slot together like building blocks." TON's architecture enables instant transactions and near-zero load times that keep the streaming experience smooth.

During peak viewing periods, TON's sharded design processes millions of transactions per second without congestion issues. The seamless wallet integration means users can earn, spend, and transfer value without leaving Telegram or managing complex crypto interfaces.

What's Next

TENT is actively negotiating with "numerous household names and global brands in the content space" who want access to Telegram's user base. The company is expanding beyond sports into news and general entertainment while deepening their rewards and community features.

Their revenue model spans advertising, subscriptions, pay-per-view, and referral partnerships. "Right now, discoverability is the biggest challenge we and our partners like DAZN face, which is why our relationship with TON Foundation is so critical," Michael explains.

The long-term vision: becoming the infrastructure layer that enables any entertainment company to deploy Telegram-native experiences. "When we get discoverability right, the streaming potential is limitless," Michael concludes. "We have a business model and streaming platform to bring content to Telegram users for free. Watch this space."

Learn more about TENT Studios: Explore the DAZN mini app

Explore TON Entertainment Resources: TON Foundation | TON Mini Apps Portal | TON GameFi Hub | TON Connect Documentation

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.