FuboTV has launched its ad-supported channel Fubo Sports Network on Roku’s streaming service, The Roku Channel, the two companies announced Tuesday morning.
The free channel will stream select event coverage, news, behind-the-scenes and exclusive programming related to sports. The announcement follows the network’s launch on LG and Samsung TVs in July and the channel’s soft launch in June when it became available on the free streaming TV platform Xumo and in fuboTV’s Standard base package. Word that fuboTV was planning to launch an ad-supported channel was first reported by TheWrap in May.
Additionally, fuboTV says it plans to launch talent-driven original programming on the channel in the coming weeks. This will mark the streamer’s first foray into the original content business.
“We are thrilled to bring Fubo Sports Network to The Roku Channel, further expanding on our broad partnership with Roku,” Min Kim, fuboTV’s vice president of business development said. “The early interest in Fubo Sports Network from distribution partners who see value in exclusive sports programming has been truly gratifying. We are building the best new talent-driven sports network, and we look forward to getting it in front of audiences everywhere.”
Fubo Sports Network’s launch comes after a strong second quarter for fuboTV, during which time subscribers watched over 3 billion minutes of programming on the service, a nearly 200% spike over 2018. Engagement across connected TVs (CTVs) in particular saw strong annual growth, according to the company. Nearly 90% of total hours watched were on CTVs in June 2019 vs. 67% in June 2018. Additionally, hours spent on CTVs by subscriber increased 195% in June over the prior year.