Online gaming company FanDuel is breaking into the world of free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) with the launch of a new linear content stream called FanDuel TV Extra.
The new streaming channel is already available on leading FAST platforms like Comcast’s Xumo Play, Plex, Paramount’s Pluto TV and The Roku Channel, as well as through FanDuel’s own streaming TV platform, FanDuel TV Plus.
FanDuel TV Extra promises “more live sports than any other FAST channel currently available,” putting it into a competitive position with other streaming channels like Fubo Sports Network and BeIN Sports Xtra.
The channel will offer live coverage of award-winning horse races — similar to FanDuel TV’s predecessor, TVG — as well as coverage of international basketball leagues like Germany’s BBL, Turkey’s BSL, China’s CBA and the pan-American BCLA. FanDuel TV Extra will also screen international soccer from South Korea’s K-League, PDC darts tournaments and poker games from PokerStars.
“Launching FanDuel TV Extra was another important step in expanding distribution for FanDuel TV content and reaching new audiences,” said Kevin Grigsby, the Executive Producer and Senior Vice President of FanDuel TV. “Our research showed a large portion of our target audience already consume content on FAST.”
Grigsby says FanDuel TV Extra will air more than 12 hours of live sports every day, events that “can be wagered on” which “significantly differentiates our channel in the market and allows us to reach a new cohort of passionate sports fans and bettors.”
“We plan on continuing to invest in the reach of FanDuel TV Extra by adding it to other top FAST providers in the near future,” Grigsby said, though he offered no specific insight into which other FAST platforms were being considered.
In addition to live sports, FanDuel TV Extra will serve as another outlet for FanDuel TV’s original programming, including shows like “Run It Back” and “Up & Adams,” as well as ongoing coverage of pro sports news and games from the NFL, NBA and other top leagues. Coverage will be spearheaded by FanDuel TV personalities like Kay Adams, Shams Charania, Michelle Beadle, Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams, the company said.
