NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Time Inc. [NYSE: TIME] today announced the launch of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TV (SI TV), an over-the-top (OTT) streaming media network available November 16 on Amazon Channels. The network premieres with a robust slate of 130 hours of on-demand programming, including original documentary series, weekly studio shows and acquired sports movies, documentaries and TV shows. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TV joins People TV as Time Inc.'s second streaming network.
SI TV has also inked deals with Oscar-nominated and award-winning sports filmmaker Mike Tollin, co-chair of Mandalay Sports Media, and 10-time Emmy winner Jonathan Hock, for two different sports documentary projects slated for early half and latter half of 2018, respectively.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TV’s tagline, “Because you love sports,” reflects the network’s position as a haven for the sports lover who wants another way to engage with the hallmark of the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED brand — rich storytelling, unmatched access, entertaining content and thoughtful analysis.
“SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TV is a new home for sports lovers who want to go beyond sports highlights and heated debates with distinctive, immersive and entertaining original programming curated through the trusted SPORTS ILLUSTRATED lens,” said Rich Battista, President and CEO of Time Inc. “SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TV presents a broad slice of sports culture, complementing the pages of the magazine consumers have long loved. The brand’s unmatched storytelling is now available to audiences in an unparalleled holistic way through print, online, and on television. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TV is premium viewing that will appeal to men and women of all ages, as well as families.”
Amazon Prime members in the United States can subscribe to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TV for $4.99 per month after a 7-day free trial and can access the content through the Prime Video app on TVs, streaming media players, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick and Fire tablets or online at Amazon.com/amazonchannels.
The network brings the iconic SPORTS ILLUSTRATED magazine to life with much of the original show content inspired by and complementary to the pages of the magazine. Time Inc.’s award-winning sports producers and editorial staff will develop original SI TV shows at Time Inc.’s world-class production facility.
SI’s original content, which will be found in the “Original Series” section of SI TV, will include exclusive access to interviews with Julio Jones, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Conor McGregor, Ricky Williams and many more of the biggest stars in sports.
In addition, “Original Series” includes new SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT content exclusive to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TV with a series on the first-ever open casting call model search for the 2018 SI Swimsuit issue in February. At launch, there will be a trove of SI Swimsuit shows going back to 1994.
“SI Now,” the daily show that airs on SI.com and features such guests as Russell Wilson, John Cena, Aly Raisman, Von Miller, Kate Upton and Ice Cube, will also boost the offerings.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TV will be constantly updated with new original show episodes, content partnerships and a regularly refreshed library of acquired movies, documentaries and TV shows. To see more about SI TV's content go to SI.com/TV.
The five original shows greenlit for SI TV around launch include the following:
Premium original documentary series:
“The Vault”—SPORTS ILLUSTRATED has a track record of industry-leading journalism and storytelling going back to 1954. "The Vault" revisits the most impactful of these stories and brings them to life with new on-camera interviews.
“SI: Under the Cover”—Current subjects in the magazine burst onto the screen. From interviews with high-profile athletes like Julio Jones to an inspiring one-handed linebacker, this is where SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’S world-class reporting jumps off the page and onto the screen.
Original weekly studio shows:
“The Crossover”—A basketball lifestyle show featuring engaging discussion about the players, games, culture, fashion and memes. Hosted by SI.com writers Matt Dollinger and Rohan Nadkarni.
“Planet Futbol”—Hosted by the USA's preeminent soccer writer, Grant Wahl, "Planet Futbol" is a deep dive into the sport around the globe with top-flight guests from Europe and the Americas.
“The Line” (working title)—An entertaining and informative show about sports wagering and daily fantasy.
Acquired movies and documentaries at launch include:
Movies:
Rocky (1–5)
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Teen Wolf
Kickboxer
(1–5)
Pride (2007)
Ladybugs
Bad News Bears (1975)
The
Cutting Edge
Diggstown
Drift
Eight Men Out
Rollerball
(1975)
North Dallas Forty
Documentaries:
Michael Jordan: Come Fly With Me
Racing Dreams
America's
Parking Lot
In Football We Trust
Brooklyn Castle
Outlaw:
Life, Death & Texas Football
Stacker
The Sheikh
2016
NBA Champions: Cleveland Cavaliers
2015 NBA Champions: Golden State
Warriors
Let's Ball (University of Kentucky Basketball)
The
Roughnecks
Positive Vibration
Strongman
Occupation Fighter
The
Great Chicken Wing Hunt
ABOUT THE SPORTS ILLUSTRATED GROUP
Time Inc.’s SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is the preeminent journalistic enterprise covering the world of sports both on and off the field. Debuting in 1954, SI has garnered worldwide acclaim for its award-winning storytelling born from an independent voice and for its unparalleled access to the most popular athletes and newsmakers from the sports world. This is the underpinning of the Group, which boasts a collection of best-in-class consumer products, platforms and businesses. The SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Group features the most-read sports magazine, a top 10 sports digital network and marquee franchises and properties including SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT, The MMQB, Planet Fútbol, the FanSided Network of sites and apps, Sportsperson of the Year, SI Fashionable 50, SI EATS, SI Kids, GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. For more information, visit SI.com and follow @SINow on Twitter, @SportsIllustrated on Instagram and Facebook and SI_mag on Snapchat.
ABOUT TIME INC.
Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) is a leading multi-platform consumer media company that engages over 230 million consumers globally every month. The Company's influential brands include PEOPLE, TIME, FORTUNE, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, INSTYLE, REAL SIMPLE, SOUTHERN LIVING and TRAVEL + LEISURE, as well as approximately 60 diverse international brands. Time Inc. offers marketers a differentiated proposition in the marketplace by combining its powerful brands, trusted content, audience scale, direct relationships with consumers and unique first-party data. The Company is home to growing media platforms and extensions, including digital video, OTT, television, licensing, international markets, paid products and services and celebrated live events, such as the TIME 100, FORTUNE Most Powerful Women, PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s Sportsperson of the Year, the ESSENCE Festival and the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen.
