The Ringer, owned by Boston superfan Bill Simmons, has entered into a partnership with FanDuel to provide video content for FanDuel TV. The two companies announced the arrangement, which also includes Spotify, in a statement on Tuesday.
Simmons is a Marlborough native who previously wrote for the Boston Herald and ESPN and earned the nickname “The Boston Sports Guy.” He launched a sports and pop culture website called Grantland, which was owned by ESPN. In 2015, ESPN shut down that website, and shortly after, Simmons debuted The Ringer, which produces written content, podcasts, video podcasts and films.
FanDuel TV, with its partner Spotify, will license video podcasts from The Ringer this week. The content will include both existing podcasts and shows that The Ringer will create exclusively for FanDuel TV.
The Ringer will have daily 1-hour programming block
According to the release from FanDuel, which just launched FanDuel Massachusetts in Simmons’ home state, The Ringer will have a daily block of programming from 9-10 a.m. ET.
Names mentioned as potential hosts include Kevin O’Connor, for a show about the NBA, and Tate Frazier, who will reportedly host a program related to sports gambling. The first programs from The Ringer appeared on FanDuel TV April 4.
FanDuel TV is available on select linear television networks through Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, DirectTV, DISH, Hulu, Spectrum, Verizon FIOS and YouTubeTV. It’s also streamed through The Ringer website and a mobile app, and audio podcasts are available on Google Play, Apple and Spotify.
“FanDuel TV is the perfect platform to showcase The Ringer’s top personalities, broaden their audiences and become flagship programming for the network,” said the Chief Commercial Officer for FanDuel, Mike Raffensperger, in the release.
The Ringer has more than 50 podcasts, including at least three hosted or co-hosted by Simmons. It also includes Ringer Films, which has produced such projects as the documentary André the Giant. The Ringer is owned by Bill Simmons Media Group.
The Ringer schedule on FanDuel TV
A programming schedule has been released for this week and next:
Week of April 3:
- Tuesday, April 4: Fairway Rollin’ (Masters Preview Special)
- Wednesday, April 5: East Coast Bias
- Thursday, April 6: Through The Ringer
Week of April 10:
- Monday, April 10: Fairway Rollin’ (Masters Recap Special)
- Tuesday, April 11: The Ringer: Beyond The Arc (30 mins); Thru The Ringer (30 mins)
- Wednesday, April 12: East Coast Bias
- Thursday, April 13: Thru The Ringer
RELATED: How FanDuel Can Use Bill Simmons To Promote Its Massachusetts Product
“We’re thrilled to expand our long-standing partnership to include creating content for FanDuel TV,” said Geoff Chow, Managing Director of The Ringer. “It’s exciting to bring The Ringer’s signature blend of enthusiasm and expertise to this new audience.”
FanDuel TV was launched in 2022 and touts itself as “the first linear/digital networks [sic] dedicated to sports wagering content.” It presents programming hosted by Michelle Beadle, Shams Charania, Chandler Parsons and others in sports media. It also broadcasts live coverage of Australia’s National Basketball League and the Chinese Basketball Association.
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