The sports betting industry continues to grow in the US, with one of its leaders expanding into a growing media market. FanDuel is continuing its evolution into a sports media company with the first watch and wager TV network in the United States.
FanDuel TV is planned to launch in September, providing 24-hour content featuring studio programming and live sports.
FanDuel is betting on the strength of linear TV at a time when there has been plenty of doubt cast about the viability of RSNs (regional sports networks) and various competing streaming services. FanDuel is launching their network amid a wave of legalization of gambling in states across the United States with the plan to create the next ESPN of sports betting. As digital companies continue to win sports rights, they are making the games more interactive with stats, highlights and odds all available.
The online sportsbook is planning on getting the jump on the competition, “I am rebuilding TVG (previously owned horse racing cable network) as FanDuel TV to be the first network built from the ground up that is designed to be watched with a phone in your hand,” says Mike Raffensperger, FanDuel’s chief commercial officer, in an interview. “Every single frame on the screen will have something you can interact with.”
FanDuel TV will emerge from predecessor TVG Network, a channel synonymous with delivering horse racing coverage in the United States for the past 20 years. “TVG has been the undisputed leader in the horse racing space for the past 20 years and the launch of FanDuel TV creates an exciting new platform for the next 20 years,” added Raffensperger. “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 U.S. market. We plan to offer more live sports than any network in America.”
The TV network will include a lineup of personalities and partners hosting shows that cover a variety of sports and sports betting content. Reports of initial talent include the FanDuel ‘More Ways to Win’ team, Bill Simmons & The Ringer, Pat McAfee and The Pat McAfee Show and former Good Morning Football host Kay Adams who will host a SportsCenter-esque show as part of the morning lineup.
“I’m interested in creating something that features voices like Kay’s that are unique, authentic and have real engagement with their audience, and can thread gaming into broader editorial narratives in sports and culture.”
FanDuel is currently a dominant leader in the New York online betting space since its launch in January 2022 and captured a 36% share of online gross gaming revenue in the US online sports betting market when the firm released its 2021 figures. With the growing sports betting market gathering pace in the United States, FanDuel has placed a marker down with the launch of a new television network and digital over-the-top (OTT) platform in the US. Watching the launch run in conjunction with the 2022-23 NFL season will be fascinating, especially if their first mover advantage is a bet well placed.