Roku Secures Exclusive US Streaming Rights to X Games Aspen and Summer Event
In a significant move, Roku has obtained the exclusive United States streaming rights for next year’s X Games Aspen and a "soon-to-be-announced" X Games event in the summer. This announcement was made by the company on Wednesday, highlighting their continued push into live sports.
A New Era for the X Games
The X Games were founded by ESPN in the 1990s, but the sports network sold majority ownership to MSP Sports in 2022. Since then, the X Games have been streamed on various platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, ESPN, ABC, and the VR app Xtadium. However, with Roku’s acquisition of the streaming rights, the X Games Aspen will now appear on the Roku Sports Channel.
The Roku Sports Channel
This channel is a newly launched hub for live sports content on Roku, featuring Sunday MLB games, Formula E races, and other sports-related programming. The Roku Sports Channel lives within the overarching Roku Channel, which comes pre-installed on most Roku devices and is also available on the web, as well as an app on third-party smart TVs and mobile phones.
A Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV Channel Dedicated to X Games
In addition to the Roku Sports Channel, Roku has launched a free ad-supported streaming TV channel dedicated to the X Games. This channel will air programming highlights, clips, interviews, archival content, and more leading up to the event. The X Games Aspen is scheduled to take place from January 23rd to the 25th, with more details to come on an additional X Games event in the summer.
Roku’s Push into Live Sports
This move by Roku is part of a larger trend of streaming platforms entering the live sports market. Netflix has been airing live NFL games on Christmas Day, while Max has launched a live sports add-on. Amazon Prime Video has also picked up streaming rights to NBA games. Even the tournament series Street League Skateboarding has signed a deal with the right-wing streaming platform Rumble.
The Rise of Streaming Sports
The rise of streaming platforms in the live sports market is changing the way fans consume sports content. With more and more options available, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for traditional sports networks to compete. However, this increased competition may also lead to better deals for consumers, with more options for live sports streaming.
What This Means for Consumers
This acquisition by Roku means that fans of the X Games will have a new platform to watch their favorite events on. With the free ad-supported streaming TV channel dedicated to the X Games, viewers can expect to see programming highlights, clips, interviews, and archival content leading up to the event.
The Future of Live Sports Streaming
As more streaming platforms enter the live sports market, it’s clear that this trend is here to stay. Roku’s acquisition of the exclusive US streaming rights for next year’s X Games Aspen and a "soon-to-be-announced" X Games event in the summer is just one example of the many deals being made in this space.
The Impact on Traditional Sports Networks
This increased competition from streaming platforms may also have an impact on traditional sports networks. With more options available, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for these networks to compete. However, this increased competition may also lead to better deals for consumers, with more options for live sports streaming.
Conclusion
Roku’s acquisition of the exclusive US streaming rights for next year’s X Games Aspen and a "soon-to-be-announced" X Games event in the summer is just one example of the many deals being made in this space. As more streaming platforms enter the live sports market, it’s clear that this trend is here to stay.
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