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Samsung TV Plus, the electronics giant’s connected TV platform, is adding a host of new free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) sports channels.
UK-based media company DAZN is adding two linear digital channels to the Samsung platform in the UK, one featuring a selection of its boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) content, while a second will showcase its women’s soccer portfolio, including live Uefa Women’s Champions League matches.
DAZN Ringside will provide fans with action from Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy, Wasserman and Misfits. DAZN Women’s Football will offer viewers live matches from European club soccer’s elite competition, the Spanish top-flight Liga F, as well as documentaries and other behind-the-scenes content.
A PGA Tour FAST channel will be carried on Samsung platforms in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Korea, offering highlights and original programming from the US-based men’s golf circuit.
The other addition to Samsung’s FAST sports channels will be Red Bull Media House, with programming content focused on long-form original programming of live events and shows related to the drinks brand’s properties in extreme sports, music, lifestyle and culture.
In addition to Samsung Smart TVs, all of these FAST channels will be available on Galaxy mobile devices in the UK.
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“It’s exciting to see how FAST is evolving to meet the demands of its growing viewership,” said Jennifer Batty, Samsung TV Plus European head of content acquisition.
“Sports fans are increasingly finding it to be the ideal format to engage with more from their favourite sports personalities and organisations beyond their live performances. Whether they prefer football, golf, racing, extreme sports or something else, FAST’s additive capabilities within sports broadcasting provide viewers with content in and around their favourite sporting competitions, building a 360-viewing experience like never before.”
SportsPro says…
Samsung sold 9.65 million smart TVs in the UK in 2022 and has a leading 33 per cent market share nationally. When you consider that connected TVs are now in 73 per cent of UK homes, this kind of penetration provides sports properties with excellent reach for their content on Samsung TV Plus.
Users like FAST channels because they do not cost them anything and these digital linear networks have the potential to be lucrative for the sports properties that can make them work given the potential for ad sales.
The most striking announcement here is DAZN with its women’s soccer FAST channel, which it has other variations of in different territories. The broadcaster’s deal with Uefa for the Women’s Champions League has seen live games streamed for free on YouTube over the past couple of seasons, but more of these are set to move behind a paywall this year.
Fans will be paying attention to where else they might be able to access those matches and it seems like the DAZN Women’s Football FAST channel will now be in the mix.
