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With more and more sporting events going to streaming platforms, and more and more streaming platforms getting into the sports industry, one complaint we often hear is that people don’t know where to find a game. Now Roku, which makes both smart TVs and streaming devices, offers a customizable sports hub that can help fix that. And they have some important partners on board for the launch, as can be seen in the preview image. Here’s more from their announcement on Thursday:
Roku has officially launched a new Sports experience that brings together live and upcoming sports on the Roku platform and introduces a central location for sports content, making it easier than ever for sports fans to stream. No more clicking through multiple apps or channels – with this intuitive, immersive Home Screen Menu, Roku puts its customers’ favorite games, sports, and more right at their fingertips.
…”We know that keeping track of where sports are being streamed has become increasingly fragmented over the past few years,” said Alex Hill, Director of Live & Sports, Roku. “Watching your favorite teams should be easy, so we’ve made it a priority to build a seamless and streamlined way to discover and watch sports on our platform. Sports are an important part of the streaming experience, and we will continue to make improvements to this experience, such as adding more supported providers and finding new ways for our users to follow their favorite teams. “
…The Sports Experience is currently supported by Apple TV, DIRECTV, FOX Sports, FuboTV, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video, Sling, Roku Channel, TNT, -TBS, and truTV, with more ways to watch in the coming months. In addition, GNC specifically sponsored the November Kickball Games Zone.
Thus, Roku has compatible channels and compatible apps for verification-required streaming (Fox Sports, Warner Bros. Discovery channels, TNT, TBS, and truTV), direct-to-consumer streaming services ( Apple TV, Paramount +, Peacock, Prime Video ), and multichannel video providers (DirecTV, FuboTV, Sling) on board at launch, in addition to the Roku Channel supported by ad (with sports content incl The Rich Eisen Show and Emeril Tailgates). This is an impressive array of partners across a wide range of companies. There are notable omissions, including ESPN and ESPN+, regional sports networks, and CBS/NBC (if found outside of Paramount+ and Peacock), but content from some of those channels can be found in this experience with MVPDs. And some or all of those channels may join this in the coming months.
It is worth remembering that this is not a subscription service, or a way to access sports events that spectators do not have access to. It is a way to include MVPDs and/or streaming services viewers already subscribe to in one sports hub. When viewers navigate to a game tile within the Roku Sports experience, they will be presented with viewing options for that game from partner MVPDs and streaming services. Here’s an example of how to look for a Michigan State-Michigan football game. (This matchup will not actually happen; this year’s edition of the game took place weeks ago, and many are still debating the events surrounding it.)
Users will be able to access this Sports experience through the Roku home screen or by searching for “sports” or the team or league name through Roku Voice. Here’s how it will look on the big screen.
Users will be able to select specific locations for games or leagues. Another immediate big hit will be in the college football arena, which GNC teamed up with Roku to sponsor in November. One, especially given those dealing with Warner Bros. Access channels (and TNT in particular), could be the NBA. Here’s what the lineup for both CFB and NBA games might look like. (This graphic is from the future, as some games shown here will take place on November 19 for college football and November 20 for the NBA.)
Roku isn’t the only company to put games on a particular platform, of course. Many MVPDs (both virtual and traditional cable or satellite) have done that as well, and other streaming services are also connecting. But this is an interesting approach from the smart TV/connected TV side, and one that has many different partners already on board.
The issue of finding games that a viewer already has access to is not specific to streaming, however. That’s happened with a number of channels over the years, too: see truTV’s “Awareness Month,” NHL on Golf Channel, and college football on Fox Business for just a few of the many examples. of Roku. Another issue is that streaming different games on different apps makes it difficult to change what you’re watching during breaks; it can be easier with this cross-service hub. But the proof will be in the pudding; we will see how the new Sports experience goes on Roku, and if it is accepted by viewers.
[Roku Blog]
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