A brand new channel dedicated wholly to women’s professional sports has launched in the US.
The Women’s Sports Network will broadcast original programming centred on women’s sports, as well as live game action from the world’s biggest sporting organisations including the Women’s National Basketball Association, Ladies Professional Golf Association, U.S. Ski and Snowboard, Premier Hockey Federation, United States Golf Association, the Women’s Football Alliance, and World Surf League.
The channel is the third streaming network belonging to LA-based media production company FAST Studios.
FAST Studios CEO Stuart McLean, said the channel will offer viewers content that champions female athletes both on and off the field, diversifying the sports and entertainment industries.
“As we have seen repeatedly, women’s sports don’t get the coverage they deserve,” McLean said in a press release.
“We have an opportunity to leverage the new FAST landscape to become a part of the solution. At the Women’s Sports Network, women’s sports are primetime, all the time.”
“We’ve been listening to athletes, fans and our incredible league partners, and we know there is a tremendous need for a network that is committed to women’s sports coverage, storytelling and content.”
“We see women’s sports as a great business, and we want to create better access for the fans and brands who want to see more.”
“We’re excited to be able to add to the growing momentum in women’s sports, and become a part of the solution these great athletes have worked so hard for by leveraging our expertise in the new FAST landscape. At the Women’s Sports Network, women’s sports are primetime, all the time.”
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The channel has so far secured the support of twelve professional women’s sports leagues and sports media companies including the U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Athletes Unlimited, GoodSport, Octagon, Quattro Media and Empower Onyx.
It is hoped that the channel will create more commercial opportunities for female athletes, their leagues, and the entire industry.
Carol Stiff, an Executive Women’s Sports Media consultant, said now is the time for women’s sports to take centre stage.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…the time is now,” Stiff said.
The channel will feature a primetime in-studio show, Game On, which will cover the latest in women’s sports news, trending topics, and sports pop culture content. It will be hosted by Crissa Jackson, Taylor Felix, Jenna Bandy and Jess Lucero.
Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Commissioner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, said the network is exactly what athletes, fans and sponsors have been asking for.
“It’s so exciting to see this dawning era in women’s sports, and I was honored to be one of the early guests on GAME ON, speaking with such powerful and impactful women in this industry,” she said.
“The Network will not only amplify our tournament coverage but will also provide an inside look at the Tour, our athletes and leadership, all at no additional cost to our fans. The LPGA prides itself in being a leader in the movement to elevate women’s sports and we believe the time is right for the Women’s Sports Network.”
Basketball champion, A’ja Wilson called the channel a “huge and long-awaited win for female athletes and fans of women’s sports.”
“The numbers don’t lie – we know that fans want to see more women’s sports and the Women’s Sports Networks creates a unique platform for our fans to connect with the sports they love in ways that haven’t been available to us as female athletes,” she said.