Women’s Sports Network adds Athletes Unlimited to content slate
Los Angeles-based Fast Studios has revealed partnerships with four leagues and organisations to beef out the programming slate for its new Women’s Sports Network streaming channel.
The dedicated 24-hour streaming channel for women’s sport will now offer content from Athletes Unlimited, a network of player-driven sports leagues that include softball, volleyball, lacrosse and basketball.
The Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) and international sports marketing agency Octagon have also joined the Women’s Sports Network, with the latter to deliver social content featuring its roster of sports talent.
Additionally, adventure and actions sports company Quattro Media is onboard, joining Sports Innovation Lab, GoodSport and Empower Onyx as a collaborative partner.
The tie-ups add to the Women’s Sports Network’s previously announced content deals with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), US Ski & Snowboard and the World Surf League (WSL).
To complement live and archival games, docuseries and original content from Women’s Sports Network content partners, the channel will also launch with ‘Game On: Women’s Sports Daily’, a flagship daily and weekly women’s sports news, talk and highlights show.
The free, ad-supported streaming platform has also brought in Nicole Vollebregt, former senior vice president of global purpose at Adidas, as interim chief marketing officer.
The Women’s Sports Network will debut later this year on various streaming platforms in the US. Speaking at last month’s SportsPro OTT Summit USA, the channel’s advisory board chair Carol Stiff added that a global rollout could also be in the offing.
“We are focused on global, no doubt about it,” Stiff said. “Look at soccer, for instance. We’re in the process of looking at both USA and global. I think it’s important that we’re in both areas.”
Stiff also said the WSN was talking to “a tonne of people” to boost the platform’s content offering and had multiple parties reaching out.
Commenting on the latest partnerships, Fast Studios chief executive Stuart McLean said: “We are thrilled to add these leading organisations and leagues to our growing roster of content partners for the Women’s Sports Network, delivering the best of women’s sports 24/7.
“Sports Innovation Lab estimates that by 2030, women’s sports could make upwards of 30 per cent of the total global sports business marketplace, and we are engaging the rights holders, content producers and brand marketers who are tapping into the explosive growth of women’s sports.”