Roku is set to shake up the sports streaming landscape with the launch of its new Roku Sports Channel on August 12. This 24/7 free ad-supported TV (FAST) channel will offer a wide array of sports content without requiring a subscription or sign-up.
What's on offer?
The Roku Sports Channel will feature:
- Live Major League Baseball games via MLB Sunday Leadoff
- Formula E races
- Talk shows like The Rich Eisen Show and Good Morning Football: Overtime
- Sports-themed Roku Originals produced with professional leagues
- Classic boxing matches from Top Rank
- MMA content from Swerve Sport
- Poker tournaments from PokerGO
Roku plans to expand its offerings in the future, with NBA G-League games and a Roku Original WNBA documentary in the pipeline.
Accessibility and platform support
The new sports channel will be available on:
- Roku devices and TVs
- The Roku mobile app (iOS and Android)
- The Roku Channel website
- Amazon Fire TVs
- Samsung TVs
- Google TVs and other Android TV OS devices
Strategic move in a competitive landscape
This launch comes at a time when other major players are making moves in the sports streaming space. Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced their joint venture, Venu Sports, set to launch in Fall 2024 at $42.99 per month. Netflix is also dipping its toes into live sports with NFL games scheduled for Christmas Day.
Roku's free, ad-supported model could give it an edge in attracting viewers who are feeling the pinch of rising subscription costs. However, the content library may not be as extensive as paid services like ESPN+.
Building on existing success
Roku has been aggressively pursuing sports content, with Joe Franzetta, Head of Sports at Roku Media, noting that their MLB deal has met and exceeded all of our expectations. The company's large user base - nearly 84 million streaming households as of Q2 2024 - provides a solid foundation for this new venture.
As the sports streaming wars heat up, Roku's free offering could be a game-changer for fans looking for accessible content across a variety of sports. Time will tell if this strategy pays off in the increasingly competitive streaming market.
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| The Roku remote exemplifies simplicity and accessibility, key attributes of the new Roku Sports Channel aimed at attracting viewers |