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- Channel already available on Roku, FuboTV, Sling and YouTube TV
- Amazon reportedly planning its own standalone sports app
Technology giant Amazon is adding a 24-hour channel to its Prime Video streaming service, with the SportsGrid sports gambling network to also be available on its Freevee ad-supported platform.
SportsGrid currently works with gambling firms FanDuel, BetMGM and WynnBet on its broadcasts for the SportsGrid Network, a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel. It provides live programming focused on pregame and in game sports betting. The channel is already distributed on several other platforms, such as Roku, FuboTV, Sling and YouTube TV.
As part of the global distribution agreement signed with Amazon it is also joining the vast collection of free linear channels on Freevee, which was previously known as IMDb TV.
“It is an exciting day for the SportsGrid executive team to partner with Amazon Freevee and Prime Video services offering their millions of users access to the best destination source for sports betting news, real-time data, and expert commentary,” said Louis Maione, president and co-founder of SportsGrid.
“We look forward to the Amazon partnership to innovate and develop new tools to engage and redefine the sports viewers betting experience.”
Amazon has beefed up its sports content offering on Prime Video recently, with this year marking the first of its 11-year contract to broadcast the National Football League’s (NFL) Thursday Night Football in the US. The online retail giant also owns a UK rights package for the Premier League and the Brazilian rights for the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as producing its own roster of original sports talk shows.
SportsPro says…
The addition of sports betting content to its streaming platforms makes sense for Amazon, given its growing roster of live sports rights. Integrating data provided by SportsGrid and its partners should enhance the consumer experience.
The deal with SportsGrid will also allow for greater opportunities going forward and offers an opportunity to test out FAST channels on Prime Video, as well as the popularity of gambling content.
In December, it was reported that the technology giant was planning to create a standalone application for its live sports content. If successful, SportsGrid could certainly play a role in providing gambling content for the dedicated sports platform alongside the live programming and also save Amazon from having to self-produce its own betting broadcasts.
