FuboTV’s free, ad-supported streaming channel, fubo Sports Network, is expanding its distribution this week through smart TV partnerships with Samsung and LG.
The channel is launching today on Samsung TV Plus, and tomorrow on LG Channels. In June, the channel soft-launched with distribution on Xumo and in fuboTV’s standard base package. The company said that additional distribution partners will be announced.
“It’s still early days for fubo Sports Network, and I’m pleased partners like Samsung and XUMO are embracing the power of the network to reach sports fans,” said David Gandler, co-founder and CEO at fuboTV, in a statement. “Our goals for fubo Sports Network are ambitious yet simple: We plan to deliver sports programming 24/7 that’s a bit edgy, always fun and with a clear point of view, and make it free to sports fans on multiple platforms and on every device.”
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Fubo Sports Network – which offers event coverage, news and exclusive programming for U.S. viewers – is the first channel created by fubo for distribution off of its streaming TV service. A spokesperson for Fubo said in July Fubo Sports Network launches on additional distribution partners, and in August the channel will launch original programming. Gandler told Variety that his company is hoping to expand the network’s reach to 50 million homes by August.
Fubo Sports Network could eventually turn into a significant source of advertising revenue for fuboTV. But, the channel will be competing with several other ad-supported streaming sports channels including CBS Sports HQ, as well as several niche sports networks like Stadium on ad-supported multichannel services like Xumo, Tubi and the Roku Channel.