FuboTV added a free-to-play sports contests into the live TV streaming experience

FuboTV Inc. will soon become the first company to launch free-to-play sports contests directly integrated into the live TV streaming experience. “With this weekend’s launch, FuboTV will become the first live TV streaming platform to offer pick’em games integrated into the video experience with a direct gateway to an owned-and-operated sportsbook,” said Mike Berkley, chief product officer, FuboTV. “We believe interactivity is a key product differentiator for Fubo and, with these immersive experiences built into our live streaming product, we can offer the most personalized - and customizable - sports and entertainment television experience.”

Pick’ems launched on June 19th to select FuboTV subscribers and will continue to roll out to the company’s user base in the coming months. The launch will be compatible with connected TV, smart TV, gaming consoles, mobile apps and on the mobile site. FuboTV will continue to expand the types of contests, the gaming experience and, later, will introduce prizing.

The new feature will grant pick’em players in select markets access to Fubo Sportsbook by scanning a QR code to place real-money wagers aligned with their picks, marking the most recent incorporation of FuboTV and its owned-and-operated real-money wagering platform. “While other media companies are entering into external partnerships with betting companies, FuboTV and Fubo Sportsbook have combined both into one ecosystem,” said Scott Butera, president, Fubo Gaming. “The launch of pick’ems will further demonstrate FuboTV’s unique product integration and commitment to offering fans real-time immersive experiences across multiple touchpoints.”

Pick’em players will be able to predict the outcome of select live sporting events directly from FuboTV’s live TV streaming platform’s home screen. Fubo will make pick’ems available prior to the start of select live sporting events each Sunday. Players can test their skills through a variety of contests, including Perfect Pick’ems, to earn points and compete against their friends and the FuboTV community for the chance to work their way up leaderboards. The integration will help fulfill U.S. sports fans’ growing demand for interactivity by delivering personalized omniscreen experiences, among other features. The efforts follow the company's update on its popular Multiview on Apple TV feature to include FanView, enabling viewership of multiple live sporting events alongside game stats and scores from around the league.

The launch comes as FuboTV reports an integrated approach has led to stronger engagement with crossover users on average placing a greater number of bets and having higher retention rates on the sportsbook than sportsbook-only players. The company intends to further integrate FuboTV and Fubo Sportsbook with the launch of additional product features, including live odds, this year, subject to regulatory approvals. “Our mission is to transform the TV experience through interactive engagement, including free gaming and real-money wagering, into streaming video,” said David Gandler, co-founder and CEO, FuboTV. “This industry-first integration has been popular with consumers, and, as we reported on our recent first quarter 2022 earnings call, we’re already seeing encouraging early signs of the flywheel effect between FuboTV and Fubo Sportsbook."