The European Broadcasting Union has extended distribution of its free streaming service Eurovision Sport onto FAST platforms in the UK as it looks to broaden access to live sport beyond traditional broadcast and streaming apps.
The move marks the first deployment of Eurovision Sport on free ad-supported streaming television services, with the channel now available through Free Live Sports, Plex, Amazon Live and Samsung TV Plus. The EBU said further FAST launches are being explored in other markets.
Eurovision Sport launched in 2024 as the EBU’s first direct-to-consumer sports platform, designed to provide free access to sports that may struggle for visibility in an increasingly subscription-driven media environment.
The service offers thousands of hours of live and on-demand coverage across athletics, aquatics, cycling, football, gymnastics, winter sports and Paralympic disciplines, complementing coverage provided by EBU public service broadcaster members.
Alan Fagan, Managing Director of Eurovision Sport, said FAST distribution would help place free sports content directly into environments where audiences are increasingly discovering television content.
“This is about much more than just launching a channel on another platform,” he said. “FAST distribution allows us to place free sport directly into environments where audiences are already spending their time and increasingly discovering content.”
The move reflects the growing importance of FAST services within the television ecosystem as broadcasters and rights holders seek new routes to reach viewers. The EBU believes the strategy can help sports federations and public service broadcasters maintain broad audience reach while extending engagement beyond traditional linear television.
Since launch, Eurovision Sport has also become a testbed for new technologies, including AI-powered multilingual commentary and automated live subtitling services around major international events.
The expansion comes as broadcasters increasingly adopt hybrid distribution strategies that combine free-to-air television, streaming services and connected TV platforms to maximise reach. For the EBU, FAST provides an additional window for viewers to discover live sport while supporting its wider public service objective of keeping major sporting events freely accessible.
The UK launch is likely to be watched closely by broadcasters and sports rights holders across Europe as FAST channels continue to gain prominence within the connected television market.
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