Scripps to launch free streaming network for Scripps Sports

A National Women's Soccer League game aired on the streaming channel Scripps Sports. (Still frame captured by The Desk) — A National Women’s Soccer League game aired on the streaming channel Scripps Sports. (Still frame captured by The Desk)

Key Points

Scripps is launching a free ad-supported streaming channel, Scripps Sports Network, across major FAST platforms.
The channel will feature more than 100 live events annually, including women’s sports and emerging leagues.
The launch expands Scripps’ sports strategy and aims to provide free, year-round programming for streaming audiences.

The E. W. Scripps Company is readying the launch of a new free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel focused on its Scripps Sports programming.

The channel, called Scripps Sports Network, debuts Tuesday across a number of FAST platforms, including Scripps-owned Tablo, where it will be available alongside dozens of other FAST channels that are incorporated into the same electronic TV guide as broadcast networks. Other platforms that will carry Scripps Sports at launch include Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, The Roku Channel, Plex, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Fire TV Channels, Google TV Freeplay and Xumo TV.

“In today’s fragmented sports media landscape, Scripps Sports Network is meeting the moment as a reliable, easy-to-access home for passionate fans,” said Scripps Chief Marketing Officer Keisha Taylor Starr, who also serves as the General Manager of the Scripps Networks business.

Taylor Starr continued: “We are delivering what viewers want and advertisers need: premium sports content, live games, compelling personalities and year-round programming that’s freely accessible to streaming audiences. Our programming lineup makes Scripps Sports Network the most premium sports destination in the FAST marketplace.”

The channel’s debut comes several years after the launch of the Scripps Sports business, which initially supported the company’s national TV rights to Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) games carried on Ion Television. Since then, Scripps has expanded into other women’s sports, carrying games from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), competitions from Athlos, events from Major League Volleyball and, most recently, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

Those events, and others, will be incorporated into the new Scripps Sports Network. It wasn’t clear if those games will continue to be offered on Ion Television moving forward. Other events coming to Scripps Sports Network in the future include the Pro Cheer League, National Arena League indoor football and the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Scripps said more than 100 events will air per year on the channel.

“Our recent live sports streaming growth tells us that fans are hungry for more,” said Scripps Sports President Brian Lawlor in a statement on Monday. “A dedicated 24-7 sports FAST channel allows us to further leverage our existing sports rights, create a platform for emerging league partnerships and grow our position in sports, particularly women’s sports, all while serving fans and marketing partners year-round.”

When no live sports programming is available, Scripps Sports Network will offer sports-adjacent shows, including a new in-depth conversation series hosted by sports broadcaster Suzy Kolber and a new conversation program hosted by Olympic track-and-field champion Sanya Richards-Ross.

Scripps is expected to release more details about the Scripps Sports Network during its Upfront presentation at the Barclay Center on Wednesday.

Scripps to launch free streaming network for Scripps Sports

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