As recent developments continue to take shape, DraftKings may well be on course to become the first sports betting company to have a 24/7 channel on Samsung TV Plus. The wagering heavyweight announced in an official statement on May 10 that its DraftKings Network would roll out on Samsung’s free ad-supported TV (FAST) platform.
This news marks the latest in a long list of media business expansions from DraftKings. Back in 2021, the company agreed to a streaming service deal with DISH Network, allowing DraftKings to host their channel on the platform. Later on, a fresh agreement made a DraftKings Basketball channel available on SLING TV, with real-time betting odds for viewers.
Within the same year, DraftKings struck a distribution deal with Meadowlark Media and acquired Vegas Sports Information Network (VSiN) with plans to feature their shows on the company’s channel. Shows from the two media services will now air as daily scheduled programs on the DraftKings Network channel for Samsung TV Plus.
Samsung TV Partnership Potentially a Step in the Right Direction for DraftKings
A television deal between DraftKings and Samsung may well be the wagering company’s best response to TV competition from FanDuel TV, which launched on linear cable last year. The Samsung FAST service offers 250+ channels and is accessible across a wide range of Samsung Galaxy devices, web platforms, and family hub appliances.
Smart Samsung TV released in the last seven years also feature the FAST platform and affords viewers an opportunity to enjoy the DraftKings Network. Although there is no option for traditional cable users, there will be a live stream on DraftKingsNetwork.com for select programs, while replays will be available on other platforms.
According to an official statement, “The diverse range of programming will also be found in audio and video formats on high-reach platforms such as iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Twitch, among others. The DraftKings Network will feature a scrolling ticker at the bottom of the screen displaying up-to-the-minute scores, odds, and a QR code that will direct customers to tailored DraftKings Network offers.”
Stakeholders believe that the Samsung deal and program lineup will help expand DraftKings' entertainment offering and propel its media growth. Stacie McCollum, the betting company’s Vice President of Content, suggests that the partnership will provide customers with the sports and entertainment aspects of DraftKings’ content in one fell swoop.
“In bringing together some of the most authentic sports and entertainment voices under one umbrella, DraftKings Network is the destination for ‘In on the Action’ sports fans and content they love,” McCollum remarked. “We look forward to reaching fans with our deep roster of independent, credible, and relatable voices that resonate with sports fans and the sports betting community.”
A First Look at the DraftKings Network Programming Lineup
DraftKings Network will have seven scheduled daily shows, with six of these airing regularly from Monday to Friday and one only on weekends. There are also nine weekly programs added to the mix. The original program line-up features the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, GoJo with Mike Golic Jr., and the Ross Tucker original football podcast.
Follow the Money, a VSiN original show hosted by Mitch Moss and Pauly Howard, is also a part of the lineup. VSiN Primetime and Best Bets are other shows from the DraftKings-acquired media house that viewers can expect.
The Handle is also scheduled to air every Saturday and Sunday between 12-2 pm ET. Coupled with most of the programs being original shows, airing on Samsung TV Plus means that DraftKings Network will have an impressive reach. Samsung took up 19.6% of worldwide television sales in 2022 and even racks up more numbers across its mobile devices and smart home appliances.
