FuboTV launches sports betting-centric network SportsGrid

FuboTV is upping its sports betting game, adding on Thursday SportsGrid – an OTT platform dedicated to content related to sports wagering.

SportsGrid offers detailed statistics across the major U.S. sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB and more – including betting options for tennis and golf sporting events. Its analytics platform considers factors like daily odds, lineups and injury reports.

For instance, SportsGrid has a compiled ranking list of all 32 NFL teams, evaluating each team’s expected margin of victory in a neutral setting. SportsGrid’s network also consists of programming hosted by sports and betting experts.

The channel’s launch on fuboTV comes just after the virtual MVPD announced it’s abandoned plans to go it alone on integrating its sports betting service – Fubo Sportsbook – into its streaming platform.

"We are extremely pleased to join FuboTV – the timing is perfect with the excitement with the upcoming NFL season and FIFA World Cup Soccer Championship,” stated Jason Sukhraj, general manager of SportsGrid’s Audience & Canada division. "The SportsGrid program lineup will serve the engaged fans with real-time actionable analytics before and during the live games as well."

FuboTV has focused on expanding into sports wagering since 2020, recognizing it could be a significant revenue stream. In June, fuboTV kicked off free-to-play wagering games onto its live TV streaming platform.

But due to the current economic environment, fuboTV has placed its interactive wagering business under strategic review. CEO David Gandler said on the latest earnings call the company must “continue to refine and adjust our business to reflect this changing environment.”

Online gambling is a potential revenue stream for sports streamers, as experts in the industry discussed at last year’s StreamTV Sports Summit. Jason Weber, Roku’s partner growth manager said at the event that online sports betting stems from viewers wanting to be more personally engaged with their sports content.

There are legislative obstacles in place. As of August, 21 states have legalized online sports betting. A handful of others allow only in-person betting, and several states are awaiting approval for online gambling.

FuboTV last summer secured regulatory approval from Iowa to offer its online Sportsbook.

Other distributors are also taking advantage of the popularity of sports betting. NBC Sports earlier this year partnered with online sportsbook PointsBet to host a dual-market BetCast, which offers interactive betting options.

In other fuboTV news, the vMVPD this week signed a first-look deal with Maximum Effort, a production company co-owned by Ryan Reynolds. FuboTV also launched Fox Nation – Fox’s subscription-based streaming service – at the end of July.