The free Fox streaming service Tubi is set to carry a live, 4K stream of Super Bowl 59. Plus: the Texas Rangers have reached a deal to air their games on the Victory+ streaming service, and more sports media news.
Tubi to carry 4K stream of FOX Super Bowl broadcast
Fox Sports announced Wednesday that its coverage of Super Bowl 59 next month will stream in 4K on its free streaming service Tubi, a first for the platform. The stream will be available to viewers without authentication. Fox has previously aired the Super Bowl in 4K on its Fox Sports app, also without authentication.
Tubi, the only Fox-owned streamer, has rarely carried any live sports coverage — though that has been gradually changing. The service carried a handful of live World Baseball Classic games two years ago, has a dedicated channel for NBA G-League games, and has aired the occasional international soccer match. The Super Bowl simulcast is by far the biggest event to stream on the service.
Tubi is also set to stream the Fox Super Bowl pregame show, plus a pregame offering of its own — a “Red Carpet” special focused on celebrities and fashion.
The Super Bowl will also be available to stream via the NFL’s various digital platforms. Fox notably did not mention the Fox Sports app in its release, though one imagines that the game will stream on that service as well.
Rangers moving to Victory+ in multi-year deal
The Texas Rangers announced Wednesday a multi-year deal to join the Victory+ streaming service starting this season, joining the NHL Stars and Ducks. Rangers games will be available for a fee — including a $100/year option — a marked shift from the Stars and Ducks, whose games are available for free.
Rangers games previously aired on the then-Bally Sports RSNs. The team exited its deal with what was then known as Diamond Sports Group last year and was previously thought to be mulling launching its own streaming service.
Plus: Sunday Night Baseball, Greenberg, Marks
— ESPN announced its early Sunday Night Baseball schedule on Wednesday, including a rare doubleheader on the Sunday of July 4 weekend that will include one game at 6 PM ET and a nightcap (Rangers-Padres) at 9 PM.
— ESPN host Mike Greenberg is leaving his daily radio show, which will be replaced by a new program hosted by Clinton Yates, it was announced Tuesday. Greenberg had been hosting the radio show “Greeny” since 2020.
— ESPN announced Wednesday that it has reached a contract extension with NBA reporter Bobby Marks, who joined the network upon its hiring of Adrian Wojnarowski in 2017.