FanDuel announced Thursday that it is rebranding its TVG Network to FanDuel TV and will feature former NFL Network anchor Kay Adams on its new weekday morning show, which will debut next month as part of the launch.
FanDuel TV will be available as a linear cable network on practically every major provider, while its streaming platform will be known as FanDuel+ and will be available on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire. Both platforms will launch in September and include content from Pat McAfee, the former Indianapolis Colts punter who has carved out a niche in the sports wagering space with his eponymous show, and from Bill Simmons’ Ringer Network.
“FanDuel TV is the first network designed from the ground up to be watched by viewers with their phone in hand,” said Mike Raffensperger, FanDuel’s chief commercial officer, in a statement. “We intend for FanDuel TV to sit at the intersection of live sports and interactive content and believe Kay is the best example of an on-air talent who can bring fans closer to the narratives of the games they care about most. Our goal is to provide fans compelling programming to watch and wager on in tandem with our mobile app.”
More Ways to Win, hosted by former ESPN anchor Lisa Kearney, will continue to air, and FanDuel TV will add live international professional basketball league coverage to augment its horse racing slate. FanDuel TV is expected to carry NBL action from Australia, the Chinese Basketball League, and both German and French leagues.
Adams bolsters NFL betting stature
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Acquiring Adams, a driving force behind the success of Good Morning Football on the NFL Network during her six-year stint, is another example of the importance of reaching the NFL audience when it comes to sports wagering in the U.S. She will have her own hourlong show that airs 11 a.m. EDT Monday through Friday and will go beyond football to other sports, as well as entertainment personalities.
As the NFL enters its second season with “official sports betting partners” and “approved sportsbooks,” expectations are high for all operators to generate significant handle through both traditional wagering and parlay wagering.
FanDuel was first to market with same-game parlays, which have contributed to FanDuel’s rise as the industry leader for market share while becoming the first sportsbook in the U.S. to turn a quarterly profit. The launch also comes when New York is set for its first full NFL regular season with mobile wagering, offering the chance for the Empire State to reach $2 billion in total handle in October.
McAfee a known commodity
In December, FanDuel signed McAfee to a four-year deal worth a reported $120 million after the two parties signed a similar deal in July 2020. His content company, Pat McAfee Inc., also provides gambling-focused podcasts and has branched into other sports, including hockey and professional wrestling. McAfee enjoyed a meteoric rise in the sports wagering space with Barstool, where he worked from 2016 to 2018 following his retirement from the NFL.
“Having proven on-air talent, live content from the most influential name in sports media in Pat McAfee, and the industry’s best team covering horse racing today demonstrates that FanDuel TV will be a dynamic network from day one,” said FanDuel Group CEO Amy Howe.
The Ringer, founded by Simmons in 2016 shortly after his acrimonious departure from ESPN, is best known for sports and pop-culture podcasts across digital platforms. FanDuel did not outline what type of specific content The Ringer would be providing its network.
