DraftKings (DKNG 0.59%) and DISH Network's (DISH) live-TV streaming service Sling TV are partnering to bring branded channels for the sportsbook to offer real-time game scores and betting odds, they announced today.
The DraftKings Basketball channel is the first sports betting channel that will be offered, with DraftKings Baseball and DraftKings Football channels to follow soon.
Image source: Getty Images.
The launch of the sportsbook's TV channels follows last month's announcement of a broad collaboration between DraftKings and DISH to offer subscribers of the satellite TV provider's Hopper DVR set-top box greater access to sports betting and daily fantasy sports content.
Users would be able to initiate bets on sporting events through the service, but they would have to complete the actual transaction using DraftKings' app on a smartphone or mobile device. Also, the ability to place bets would be available only in states where sports betting is available and where DraftKings has a presence.
DraftKings is now active in a dozen states, more than any other sportsbook, but it is the second biggest sportsbook in terms of revenue behind Flutter Entertainment's (FLUT 0.50%) FanDuel. Yesterday, MGM Resorts International (MGM -1.24%), the third biggest and the fastest growing sportsbook, said it expects to eventually be the second largest.
The DISH collaboration could give DraftKings an edge as it puts its brand in front of more potential bettors, and could blunt the threat of fuboTV (FUBO -0.72%), which recently entered the sports betting market through its acquisition of fantasy sports outfit Balto Sports.
DraftKings' president for global technology and product, Paul Liberman, said, "DraftKings continually looks at new ways to reach customers through innovative collaborations with recognizable brands such as Sling TV."
A more seamless integration, though, where bets could be placed through the TV service, not just initiated, would go further to cementing its position.
