Roku to Launch FAST Premium Sports Channel

Roku to Launch FAST Premium Sports Channel

As a long-time sports enthusiast and budget-conscious streamer, I can’t help but feel exhilarated by Roku’s latest move! After years of juggling various subscription services to keep up with my favorite games and shows, the launch of the Roku Sports Channel feels like a game-changer.


Roku has unveiled plans to launch a free, ad-supported premium sports channel on Aug. 12.

The Sports Channel on the Roku streaming service will broadcast sporting events it both owns and has licensed rights for, all as part of a single FAST channel offering. This channel promises live Major League Baseball games through MLB’s Sunday Leadoff, talk shows like The Rich Eisen Show, live Formula E auto races, Top Rank boxing contests, and sports-focused original content from Roku, collaboratively produced with major professional sports leagues.

The growing trend among prominent streamers to invest a larger portion of their budgets on acquiring sports rights has led to a rise in the availability of high-end sports FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channels. Notably, services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel have been expanding their offerings by focusing more on entertainment content.

As a longtime TV viewer who has witnessed the rise of subscription-based streaming platforms, I can attest to the increasing financial burden they pose. With my own wallet feeling the pinch from these pricey services, I find myself constantly seeking cheaper alternatives. It’s not surprising then that many viewers are doing the same, especially as the number of subscription-based options continues to multiply.

“Joe Franzetta, the head of sports at Roku Media, expressed his enthusiasm in a statement on Wednesday about the ongoing popularity of the relaxed viewing experience provided by FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) on sports. Sports content is highly sought after and one of the most watched genres on The Roku Channel, which motivates us to make it even more convenient for viewers to access Roku’s exceptional programming.”

The Roku Sports Channel is entering a market that’s already seeing plans for a sports streaming partnership called Venu Sports, which has been proposed by Walt Disney, Fox Corporation, and Warner Bros Discovery.

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2024-08-07 17:26