The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has launched its free streaming platform, Eurovision Sport, on FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) services in the UK.
This rollout on platforms such as Free Live Sports (FLS), Plex, Amazon Live, and Samsung TV Plus marks Eurovision Sport’s initial entry into FAST services, with plans for further expansion throughout Europe and beyond.
Debuting in 2024, Eurovision Sport is the EBU’s first direct-to-consumer streaming service for sports, offering live and on-demand coverage at no cost. The service aims to enhance visibility for sports, athletes, and competitions often overlooked by traditional pay-TV, while also complementing the broadcasts of EBU Member public service broadcasters.
With its entrance into FAST, Eurovision Sport seeks to broaden the audience for Olympic and emerging sports, moving beyond conventional broadcast and app-based platforms. This initiative presents new opportunities for public service media partners, sports federations, and rights holders to engage with larger audiences.
The platform features a diverse range of sports, including athletics, aquatics, cycling, football, gymnastics, winter sports, and Paralympic events. It has also initiated partnerships with national federations and broadcasters to enhance the digital experience surrounding live sports.
Furthermore, Eurovision Sport is establishing itself as a pioneer in modernising sports broadcasting and improving accessibility by incorporating innovations such as AI-driven multilingual commentary and live subtitling for major international competitions.
The launch in the UK reflects a growing trend towards hybrid distribution strategies in sports media, where broadcasters, federations, and streaming platforms collaborate to maximise audience outreach across linear TV, digital, and connected platforms.
Alan Fagan, Managing Director of Eurovision Sport, emphasised, “Our goal extends beyond just adding a channel on a new platform. FAST distribution enables us to deliver free sports content to audiences in environments where they are already active and discovering new content.
“Eurovision Sport is designed to complement EBU Members’ broadcasts and to ensure that access to sports remains free in this digital age. Expanding into FAST aligns perfectly with this strategy.”
