Advanced Television

Turner launching Bleacher Report sports streaming service

March 28, 2018

Global media company Turner has revealed it will launch its new premium live sports streaming service, Bleacher Report Live, in the US in April. It will serve as the central hub for both the discovery and consumption of live sports content. The new streaming service will allow fans to find and watch their favourite sports content anywhere, anytime and on the screen of their choice.  Beginning this summer, Bleacher Report Live will implement flexible pricing options, providing direct access to live games for purchase on an individual or subscription basis.

The new Bleacher Report Livestreaming platform will provide three core services:

  • Find and watch live sports with the ability to scroll through a feed of real-time sporting events
  • Personalisation features which aggregate live sports content that is the best fit for each fan
  • A modern approach to live sports discovery, giving fans the tools to locate and watch their favourite games

Bleacher Report Livee will be the destination for fans to access a wide variety of their favourite premium live sports content  Among the live sporting events available directly through the service will be the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, NBA League Pass games, 65 NCAA Championships, PGA Championship, National Lacrosse League, The Spring League, Red Bull Global Rallycross, World Arm Wrestling League and more.

NBA League Pass, in particular, will provide an innovative, first-of-its-kind experience that will allow fans to purchase and watch live NBA games in progress at a reduced price. Available on Bleacher Report Live the NBA App and NBA.com, the new offering for all NBA League Pass games will debut for the 2018-19 regular season.

“As viewing habits continue to evolve, Turner is well positioned to provide fans with direct access to premium live sports content that is highly coveted by audiences of scale, including a high concentration of millennials,” said David Levy, President of Turner.  “When we first acquired Bleacher Report in 2012, we knew the definition of a network was changing and we anticipated a time when B/R would become a virtual network. Today is a significant step in that direction and we will fully leverage the reach of B/R and its deep connection with passionate sports fans to provide compelling experiences for them across this new, exciting platform.”

“At Turner, we believe watching live sports should be easy and B/R Live has been created with the fan at the centre of our universe,” said Lenny Daniels, President of Turner Sports. “From discovery to the delivery of live sports content, B/R Live is a game-changing product that will serve as the ultimate destination for the sports fan.  Whether fans are seeking ways to catch their favourite team or turn to B/R Live for one of the thousands of live sporting events offered directly through the product, we’re aiming to provide an experience that keeps them coming back for more.”

Bleacher Report Live will initially launch with all streaming content available as part of a free preview period extending throughout the opening months of the product.  The first event available through the service will feature Johnny Manziel’s debut in The Spring League on April 7th. Bleacher Report Live will launch on iOS, Android and the Web.

Bleacher Report was acquired by Turner in 2012 and is a leading digital destination for millennial sports fans.

“B/R has grown immensely in recent years, in no small part because of our total dedication to serving fans, and we have a proven track record of helping fans find the best digital sports content,” said Dave Finocchio, CEO of Bleacher Report. “Historically, we’ve pointed fans to the best content – whether on B/R or another destination – to deliver the greatest experience possible.  We’re excited to bring this same approach to the live sports space, helping millennial and Gen Z fans, especially, with a more streamlined experience as they watch their favourite teams and leagues.”

 

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