Nexstar and SportsGrid create first-ever US sports betting, fantasy sports diginet

Nexstar Media and SportsGrid have signed a multi-year agreement to launch “SportsGrid Network”, the “first-ever diginet devoted to sports wagering and fantasy sports” in the U.S., announced both companies on Wednesday.

The new network is set to offer 24 hours of daily programming distributed across nine digital subchannels licensed to Nexstar in major U.S. markets: San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Portland, Nashville, Norfolk, Grand Rapids, Knoxville, and Des Moines, beginning September 1.

SportsGrid is currently "the first and only" 24-hour sports wagering and fantasy sports program service in the country, with content distributed across over-the-air broadcast and cable television, streaming platforms, mobile devices and on the internet. Its live programming originates from television production facilities adjacent to Madison Square Garden in New York City and the SG Studios & Production Hub in New Jersey.

The new network in collaboration with Nexstar will be available on recently vacated digital sub-channels licensed to the media company and is set to feature 18 hours of exclusive live original programming hosted by a team of “on-air personalities, sports and gambling experts, and guest contributors,” describes a press release.

🚨Breaking News🚨@SportsGrid & @NXSTMediaGroup are happy to announce the launch of SportsGrid Network, a digital broadcast channel and the FIRST network devoted to sports wagering.

Coming to 9 major markets on Sept 1, inc DC, San Francisco and more!https://t.co/22U974LpcJ pic.twitter.com/YjRofIHkuf

— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) August 25, 2021

Louis Maione, Founder and President of SportsGrid, said: “This initial nine-station launch of SportsGrid content will inform and entertain millions of sports fans across all screens and devices and provide them with expert reporting, commentary and analysis using our exclusive proprietary SportsGrid analytics platform.”

SportsGrid Network is also set to feature a variety of pre-produced programming and encore presentations of the network’s most popular shows with the mission to provide real-time sports news, data, analytics, and statistics to engage sports audiences “whenever and wherever they choose.”

Both companies believe the new business development will allow them to share content and to expand SportsGrid’s offering to additional Nexstar markets, which includes reporting and analytics across NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, golf, tennis, and soccer.

“We are delighted to deliver SportsGrid’s programming to address the rapidly growing interest in sports betting and fantasy sports,” said Sean Compton, President of Nexstar Media Inc.’s Network Division.

Compton also believes that the distribution of SportsGrid’s programming across Nexstar’s digital subchannels will enable the company “to connect with new audiences” as well as expanding “a new and fast-growing revenue stream.”