Roku simplifies sports streaming
Roku has created a sports portal, Sports Zone, which consolidates games across different channels and apps, making it easy for sports fans to find live games. Sports leagues such as the NFL, MLB, NBA, and PGA have programming across myriad platforms including broadcast TV, cable networks and streaming, making it difficult and frustrating for sports fans to find the content they are looking for. Fans can search for specific events by individual game, team, or sport, and then are sent to the apps and services where those games are available. Apps in Roku’s Sports Zone include Paramount+, Fubo, YouTube TV, Fox Sports, Peacock, NFL Plus, ESPN, MLB.TV, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and FanDuel Sports Network.
The Circana Take:
- Since the advent of the cable TV channel guide, companies have relied on the user interface to maximize engagement and this is no different. But given the increasing challenge of finding sports content as rights expand to different platforms, features like these become critical. As fans, we look for this trend to continue.
Fubo Channel Store launch
FuboTV launched the Fubo Channel Store which is a central hub for premium standalone apps. Subscribers can quickly and easily access standalone programming they subscribe to in one location while in the Fubo app. Premium subscriptions currently available in the Fubo Channel Store include DAZN One, Hallmark+, MGM+, Paramount+ with Showtime and Starz. Subscribers to these services also get access to Fubo Free which offers nearly 200 FAST channels. These standalone plans are available to users without a base Fubo subscription.
The Circana Take:
- Fubo, like other companies, is looking for more ways to capture the attention of users and draw them into their ecosystem. If done right, this could help alleviate frustration when having to switch between multiple apps, keep them in Fubo and ideally, acquire new subscribers.
Disney+ streams in HDR10+
Disney+ started streaming content in HDR10+. HDR10+ is the most advanced HDR technology, enhancing the dynamic range and color accuracy. As of now, more than 1,000 Hulu titles are available in HDR10+ with additional Disney content coming. Disney+ subscribers with a compatible that supports HDR10+ will be able to watch the enhanced format. Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount+, and Apple TV+ also support HDR10+.
The Circana Take:
- Staying current with premium technology is important to the videophile. It’s also a product packaging lever that can always be used to upgrade viewers to higher plan tiers.