FAST Studios, the Los Angeles-based venture studio today unveiled details around the forthcoming Women’s Sports Network, the network’s signature daily show “Game On,” and a new partnership with the Play Equity Fund. FAST Studios CEO Stuart McLean also shared details on its slate of sports FAST channels, including Racing America and Spartan TV, at the first-ever X-FRONTS at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles, hosted by OTT.X.
The Women’s Sports Network (WSN) is the free, ad-supported, 24/7 streaming destination where fans will find 100% women’s sports content featured around the clock from FAST Studios. Launching next month (June 2022), the channel brings together, for the first time ever, more than a dozen professional women’s sports leagues and federations to finally answer the call from sports fans who have been demanding to see more of these great athletes – from World Surf League, Athletes Unlimited, LPGA, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Women’s Football Alliance, and more.
“Part of the founding vision for Women’s Sports Network is to not just be a media brand, but a force for positive change in the world of sports,” said McLean at the presentation. “A major pillar of the Women’s Sports Network is to connect with the community and give back wherever possible, and Play Equity Fund is a perfect fit as our channel hopes to inspire the next generation of athletes.”
The charitable partnership with the Play Equity Fund will help expand opportunities that provide youth with equal access to sports and play programs. The Play Equity Fund is focused on bringing the transformational power of sport and play to all children, regardless of their race, gender, zip code or socioeconomic status.
“My hope for this network and our partnership is that it provides young people from all backgrounds an opportunity to see themselves represented on TV in a significant way – including featuring female athletes in numerous sports that have lacked coverage previously,” said Renata Simril, President of the Play Equity Fund, and Women’s Sports Network Advisory Board member. “We are grateful for this partnership as we work to create play equity and pathways to success for all youth.”
Representing the Women’s Sports Network, professional surfer-turned-broadcaster Rosy Hodge and retired 30-year veteran of ESPN Carol Stiff sat in conversation at the X-Fronts, and discussed not only the importance of women’s representation in sports but also the market potential with the Women’s Sports Network.
“When you schedule women’s sports in the right windows, men AND women tune in and the ratings are strong. You see this with WNBA finals, NCAA championships, etc. If you build it, they WILL come. So, we’re building it together!” said Stiff. “With FAST, the possibilities are endless and we are finally able to achieve the coverage and accessibility that female athletes and their fans deserve.”
Hodge added “It’s not the time to ask why, but it is a great time to note that the 50th anniversary of the landmark Title IX legislation that kicked off the move towards parity in men’s and women’s sports in America is next month, and it would be an understatement to say I am thrilled to be part of the next chapter in this story.”
Host and basketball analyst LaChina Robinson shared details of Women’s Sports Network’s signature daily flagship show – GAME ON, which will bring viewers closer to their favorite athletes. The show will deliver women’s sports news, talk and highlights shows from a new, dedicated studio space in Los Angeles, and. welcome the biggest athletes and personalities to join the fourth chair and hang with our team for in-depth interviews and can’t miss moments.
FAST Studios also presented details around its current slate of sports FAST channels, including Racing America and Spartan TV, streaming 24/7 on connected TVs.
RACING AMERICA is the 24/7 home for grassroots racing in partnership with the 14 NASCAR CUP teams who comprise the RACE TEAM ALLIANCE. The channel features 15 hours of live racing every week, plus news and driver and team programming that’s never had a home before on TV. All this summer, viewers can find live racing almost every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Spartan TV is the 24/7 streaming network that reinforces the global brand’s lifestyle, featuring live obstacle races, tough workouts, cooking shows, fitness instruction and more. Joe De Sena, CEO and Founder of Spartan, joined the presentation to talk about Spartan TV’s content from Spartan Games, “Unbreakable CEO,” “Eat Like a Spartan” and more – as well as the key demos of the channel.
The X-Fronts presentation displayed FAST Studios’s industry-leading ability to plug consumers and brands into world-famous sports and entertainment brands, giving advertisers unprecedented access to great Sports Brands, teams and leagues. The FAST Studios team has a team of producers with double-digit numbers of Emmy Awards, and league-direct deals to get brands on the playing field and inside the ropes.
