As audiences continue the shift to streaming, major sports and news-driven events of 2024 — including the Olympics and the U.S. presidential election — drove 35% of consumers to stream live sporting events and 37% to stream local and national news more than they did just six months prior.1 Not only do sports and news offerings on CTV greatly appeal to viewers, but more time streaming means more opportunities for advertisers to reach their target audience through CTV.
Desirable demographics
U.S. streamers of news and sports are valuable audiences. Viewers of local news are 25% more likely to have an income of $150,000 or more.2 National news and sports viewers are 33% more likely to have an income between $75,000 and $100,000.3 Sports and national news viewers are also more likely to be male and hold a graduate or professional degree.4
“We’re seeing tremendous growth in news and sports consumption on streaming platforms, including linearly programmed content,” says Justin Fromm, head of insights for Samsung Ads. “Advertisers are looking for ways to reach these educated, affluent consumers who are no longer as easily reached with linear TV.”
Betting big on sports streaming
Consumers are increasingly comfortable streaming sporting events. A 2022 Nielsen study found that 80% of sports fans, 76% of NFL fans and 89% of soccer fans had regularly or occasionally streamed sports that year.5
In response to this growing demand for sports on streaming, Samsung TV Plus — Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming service (FAST) — has dramatically expanded its sports programming throughout the last 12 months. New programming includes analysis, replays, recaps, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes coverage across multiple leagues and sporting events:
● Syndicated sports programming on CBS Sports HQ, FOX Sports, and NBC Sports
● Sports betting and expert analysis on Draft Kings Network and SportsGrid
● Complete PGA TOUR coverage
● The MLB channel with minor league game replays
● Live Tennis matches on T2 by The Tennis Channel
● Sports commentary with The Jim Rome Show
● F1 full race weekend replays on the Formula 1 channel
● Combat sports content through ONE Championship TV
Samsung TV Plus will also be the first FAST platform to air live AHL games through the Los Angeles Kings affiliate, the Ontario Reign.
Scooping the news streaming market
Sports isn’t the only genre experiencing a surge in streaming viewership. U.S. viewers are also turning to streaming services for important news coverage. In fact, 42% of those closely watching the 2024 U.S. presidential election are currently following on local or national news through their streaming services.6
Samsung TV Plus has built the most comprehensive news offering of any FAST service, with:
● 20+ national and international news channels
● 160+ locally delivered channels from major broadcasters across 67 DMAs
Samsung TV Plus also carries all four major live FAST broadcasters: ABC News Live, CBS News, LiveNOW from FOX and NBC News NOW.
Easily reach sports and news streamers with Samsung TV Plus
Today, more than 70% of Samsung TV viewing happens via streaming.7 Samsung TV Plus has become a heavy hitter in sports and news streaming, which has contributed to its 50% year-over-year growth and category-leading audience loyalty.8
With Samsung TV Plus, advertisers can connect with engaged viewers on a massive scale and tap into Samsung Ads’ growing suite of innovative ad solutions to drive performance.
Learn more about advertising on Samsung TV Plus. Contact us today.
1-4, 7-8Samsung Ads proprietary consumer survey of 1,000 Smart TV viewers in the United States. Representative of the U.S. A18-64 population, Sept 2024.
5-6Nielsen, “Live sports are headed to streaming services, and audiences are ready,” Oct 2022.
