Sports Illustrated TV Launches for the First Time as a Linear 24/7 Channel in FuboTV's 'Sports Plus' Package
SI TV Now Available on Desktop, Mobile and TV-Connected Devices, As fuboTV Becomes the First Live Streaming TV Service to Carry the Network
NEW YORK, NY(11 Apr 2018)
Sports-first live streaming TV service fuboTV has today added Sports Illustrated TV (SI TV) to its growing lineup. Through a distribution agreement with SI TV, fuboTV becomes the first multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) to carry Sports Illustrated’s OTT service. This also marks the official launch of SI TV as a 24/7 linear channel. SI TV is also available on Amazon Channels, where it launched in November 2017.
“The opportunity to expand our distribution for the first time to linear TV with premier provider fuboTV is an incredible moment for our network,” said Josh Oshinsky, head of programming for SI TV at Meredith Corporation. “Now even more TV-watching sports lovers will have access to content that has Sports Illustrated’s unparalleled storytelling, perspective and access. From original documentaries to studio shows to beloved sports-related acquired movies and shows, fuboTV’s subscribers can rely on SI TV for the most compelling sports stories, interviews, analysis and entertainment.”
Bringing fans the most sports for the least money, fuboTV’s lineup features more than 30,000 sporting events per year. After a free seven-day trial, the Fubo Premier base package is available at $19.99 for the first month and $44.99 per month thereafter. SI TV is now part of the “Sports Plus” package featuring more than 15 channels and is available to subscribers for an additional $8.99. fuboTV subscribers who choose the Sports Plus option have access to more than 85 channels overall, including up to 54 channels that carry sports and an array of popular entertainment and news networks.
Since launching in November 2017, SI TV has doubled its programming as it brings the iconic magazine to life with much of the original show content inspired by and complementary to the pages of the magazine.
Original weekly studio shows include “The Crossover,” which focuses on basketball culture with guests such as Big Daddy Kane, Cookie Monster and Roy Wood, Jr.; “Planet Fútbol” with Grant Wahl exploring soccer with top flight guests from around the world; “The Line,” about sports wagering and daily fantasy.
Original medium- and long-form documentary series and specials include “Under the Cover,” where subjects from the current Sports Illustrated issue come to life on screen; three new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2018 specials; “The Vault,” a series that re-examines some of the best stories from SI’s vast historical archives; and the first made-for-SI TV feature-length documentary film, “We Town,” about possibly the greatest high school basketball team ever assembled, including likely future NBA stars Mo Bamba and Cam Reddish.
SI TV also boasts a library of acquired movies, documentaries and TV shows that refresh throughout the year, often with seasonally relevant content (e.g., “Bull Durham” and “Eight Men Out” for the start of baseball season).
“Sports Illustrated is one of the biggest brands in sports media and an ideal addition to our sports-first live streaming lineup,” said fuboTV Head of Content Strategy & Acquisition Ben Grad. “We are thrilled to be the first to partner with SI TV as it launches its linear network, as we continue to super-serve sports fans.”
In addition to SI TV, the “Sports Plus” package includes NFL RedZone, six Pac-12 Networks regional channels, three FOX College Sports channels, GolTV (English and Spanish), TyC Sports, Fight Network and FNTSY Sports Network. All channels on fuboTV can be streamed to desktop computers, mobile phones, tablets and TV-connected devices, including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast and Roku. Subscriptions include two simultaneous streams and personal cloud DVR, with options to upgrade to Family Share or Cloud DVR Plus.