NBCUniversal has added more programming to Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV service Samsung TV Plus.
In the U.S. a 24/7 linear Dateline FAST channel is launching on Samsung TV Plus, featuring content from the true-crime magazine. Also joining the lineup is live and breaking news from NBC News Now. In addition to Samsung TV Plus, NBC News Now is also launching on Samsung-owned, operated and branded mobile apps, including the “Samsung Free” app, as well as in Canada on the smart TV makers FAST platform.
In announcing the additions, Takashi Nakano from Samsung TV Plus said the news additions complement NBC local news.
“We are thrilled at the continued expansion of our partnership with NBCUniversal by bringing Dateline 24/7 to the US and NBC News Now to Canada,” said Nakano, senior director of content acquisitions and business development for Samsung TV Plus, in a statement. “In complement to NBC Locals and NBC News Now, NBC continues to be the premier destination for trusted news and high-quality entertainment. Our partnership in delivering a geo-targeted and hyper-relevant experience is proving extremely valuable to Samsung users.”
Samsung earlier this year refreshed its FAST platform branding and said it would double down investment with a focus on premium content partners, including adding news options. In August the company touted significant growth for Samsung TV Plus, offering over 220 linear style channels in the U.S. and a 100% increase in consumer viewing over the 12 months prior with nearly 3 billion hours streamed globally.
“We have seen the engagement numbers just go through the roof the past three or four years,” said Sang Kim, SVP of Product and Marketing at Samsung, in an interview with Fierce Video at the time.
Samsung is one of several smart TV makers playing in the FAST space, alongside Vizio’s WatchFree+ and LG’s LG Channels.
In October Warner Bros. Discovery launched its first entertainment FAST channel on Samsung TV Plus with the addition of MotorTrend.
As for NBCU, the company pointed to Samsung’s broad distributions with touchpoints across TVs, mobile devices and more.
“Samsung’s touchpoints across all devices are important destinations for viewers who rely on NBCUniversal brands as trusted places of information and entertainment” said Matt Schnaars, NBCUniversal Content Distribution, in a statement. “Samsung is a valued partner and plays a critical role in us ensuring our audiences have access to NBC News programming 24/7, wherever they are.”
NBC itself has been broadening its channel reach on FAST services, including bringing local news coverage to The Roku Channel earlier this year. The relationship with Roku later expanded to include Spanish-language channels from Telemundo, as well as a renewed deal to run NBC News Now on Roku’s FAST platform.
NBCU’s also added 24/7 livestreams of NBC affiliates, including local news, weather and syndicated broadcast shows to its own streaming service Peacock in November. While coverage is available in all 210 NBC affiliate markets it’s only offered to Peacock Premium Plus users.