FanDuel initiates sports betting TV drive with FanDuel TV and streaming launch
US sportsbook market leader recruits Good Morning Football host Kay Adams to front new weekly sports betting-themed digital content network
FanDuel has confirmed it will launch its first dedicated sports betting TV network, FanDuel TV, and distributed streaming service, FanDuel+, in September, ahead of the new NFL season.
The market-leading US sportsbook’s parent company, Flutter Entertainment, revealed the news, stating its aim to deliver more live sports programming than any other digital network in the US.
FanDuel TV will be headlined by former Good Morning Football host and NFL Network personality Kay Adams, who will host a live daily morning show five days a week from FanDuel TV’s Los Angeles studios.
FanDuel+, a streaming service offering FanDuel content on an on-demand basis, will be free to download for existing FanDuel customers with accounts on any of its sportsbook, casino, horseracing or daily fantasy platforms.
The new sportsbook TV station will be available on cable and satellite TV, with FanDuel+ accessible on platforms including Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.
Introducing ??????? ?? ⚡️
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— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) August 25, 2022
FanDuel’s chief commercial officer Mike Raffensperger highlighted the sportsbook operator’s philosophy behind the launch. “FanDuel TV is the first network designed from the ground up to be watched by viewers with their phone in hand,” Raffensperger said.
Former Good Morning Football host Kay Adams
“We intend for FanDuel TV to sit at the intersection of live sports and interactive content and believe Kay is the best example of an on-air talent who can bring fans closer to the narratives of the games they care about most.
“Our goal is to provide fans compelling programming to watch and wager on in tandem with our mobile app,” the FanDuel CCO added.
FanDuel will replace Flutter’s existing US-based sports-based TV channel, TVG Network, which has operated in the US for more than 25 years, with TVG Network’s on-air talent transferring to the new network.
FanDuel TV will continue coverage of US horseracing tracks, as well as coverage of the Breeders’ Cup this coming November including The Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Slick video by @TVG promoting its name change to FanDuel TV. Without showing any other content besides horse racing in it, it's obviously targeted to current viewers and trying to allay fears of what was initially reported about the changeover. Curious to see how (1/2) https://t.co/JIhWW9QwNp
— Harris D. Auerbach (@AuerHeat) August 25, 2022
“TVG has been the undisputed leader in the horseracing space for the past 20 years and the launch of FanDuel TV creates an exciting new platform for the next 20 years,” Raffensperger explained.
“FanDuel TV and FanDuel+ will accelerate the renaissance racing is enjoying and repackage the sport for a new generation of mobile enabled fans, while also bringing new leagues and sports to the US market.
“We plan to offer more live sports than any network in America,” he added.
As part of the launch of FanDuel TV, the company has reached a programming agreement with The Ringer, a sports and pop culture website and podcast network, which will provide FanDuel TV with podcasts and digital networks content.
In addition to providing content, FanDuel TV will show more than 3,000 hours of live international basketball, with content from the National Basketball League as well as leagues from Australia, China, France and Germany, under a new licensing agreement with data supplier Sportradar.
FanDuel personality Pat McAfee has also been tapped to produce new content for the channel, while the sports betting show More Ways to Win, hosted by former ESPN SportsCenter anchor Lisa Kerney, will also feature on the FanDuel TV network.
FanDuel CEO Amy Howe welcomed the launch and the deployment of FanDuel talent in augmenting its TV push.
“Having proven on-air talent, live content from the most influential name in sports media in Pat McAfee, and the industry’s best team covering horseracing today, demonstrates that FanDuel TV will be a dynamic network from day one,” Howe said.