Vizio Adds FanDuel Sports Network to Streaming App Lineup

Many people who stream their television think it’s hard to find the games they want to watch. Now there's good news for people who live in markets where their teams play on FanDuel Sports Network.

Smart TV maker Vizio has made a deal to make the FanDuel Sports Network app available on Vizio set and on smart TVs using the Vizio operating system. 

This means subscribers with Vizio sets can directly access live and on-demand local sports programming from FanDuel Sports Network. Customers can download the app through the Vizio home screen.

“As we continue to evolve FanDuel Sports Network into a dynamic, fan-first local sports media platform, our partnership with Vizio is another meaningful milestone in expanding accessibility and fueling our direct-to-consumer growth,” said Eric Ratchman, chief revenue officer of the Main Street Sports Group, which owns FanDuel Sports Network.

The increased distribution will be monetized in part by a new metric FanDuel Sports Network rolled out in September. The new Total Audience Delivery metric combines its channels' linear and streaming audiences and will make FDSN more attractive to national advertisers who are eager to spend money on sports programming.

Earlier in the season, FanDuel Sports Network reported that its NHL games in the seven markets where it carries the local hockey game, total audience was up 29% from a year ago.

In the markets where FDSN carries NBA teams, the total audience was up 12%.

In addition to live National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and Major League Baseball games, FanDuel sports network offers pre- and post-game programming and original programing such as Golic & Golic and FanDuel Sports Network Countdown Live, which had its debut in October.

In addition to Vizio, owned by Walmart, FanDuel Sports Network is available on iOS and Android devices, on Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox, Xfinity's X1, Xumo TV, Xumo Stream Box and Flex.

Next year, FanDuel Sports Network plans to launch a 24-hour a day, seven-days-a-week free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel. The channel will show in-market NBA and NHL games in front of the paywall in major streaming platforms. 

The move is designed to increase the channel's reach and promote subscriptions to Fan Duel Sports Network’s direct-to-consumer product.

# # #

At a time when advertisers are looking for assurances that they’re getting what they pay for when they buy streaming ads, Innovid has signed up Disney, Fox, NBCUniversal and Paramount as the first certified partners for its new Live Content Certification program.

Innovid says the initiative is designed to ensure seamless, reliable third-party ad serving and measure in live streaming environments, including sports.

“As live sports viewership continues to grow across streaming platforms, publishers and advertisers alike are seeking standards that ensure consistency, accountability, and performance,” said Christopher Murphy, senior VP, strategy & business Development, Innovid, which is part of Mediaocean.

“With Innovid’s Live Content Certification Program, we’re ensuring that advertisers and publishers can execute and measure live streaming sports with the same efficiency, transparency, and reliability they expect from on-demand content,” Murphy said. “This is an important step in strengthening advertiser-publisher collaboration, making live sports in streaming more seamless, measurable, and scalable.”

The Live Content Certification Program is designed to protect advertisers from lost impressions, ensure real-time ad delivery and provide independent measurement. Publishers participating in the program are subjected to hands-on testing that simulates the complexity of live sports.

“Disney’s leadership in live sports and entertainment has always been driven by innovation – for advertisers, consumers, and the marketplace at large,” said Lexi Swift, VP of Addressable Sales at Disney. “After launching the industry’s first live content certification program for demand-side platforms, we’ve continued to expand how brands can capture real-time engagement around the most dynamic, culture-defining stories. Through this recognition with Innovid, we’re continuing to advance how brands and audiences connect with Disney during every can’t-miss live moment.”

# # #

VideoAmp said it added Jonathan Gear and Sari Granat to its board of directors. Gear most recently served as CEO of Clarivate. Granat served as president of Chainalysis. Both previously worked at IHS Markit.

“VideoAmp is an industry disruptor and innovator, well-positioned to transform with the industry’s move to cross-platform, data-driven measurement,” said Granat. 

“Joining the Board now provides an opportunity to help accelerate the company’s growth and deliver a modern, accurate media currency,” added Gear.