Tubi's Big Game Move: FOX Sports Streams Super Bowl LIX for Free on Network's Tubi Platform

FOX Sports is taking its Super Bowl coverage to new heights by streaming the Big Game on Tubi for the first time ever. For Super Bowl LIX, fans can enjoy the entire FOX broadcast, including the Super Bowl LIX Pregame Show and the first-ever Tubi Red Carpet, all in 4K. This marks a big step forward in FOX’s strategy to promote Tubi, their free streaming platform, to reach wider audiences while showcasing exclusive sports content. Fans will have the opportunity to experience the Super Bowl live, free of charge, across devices, and without the need for authentication.

The latter is extremely important as not requiring authentication will allow anyone, even those without a cable subscription, to watch the Super Bowl this year.  All fans have to do to watch the game on Tubi this year is sign up for a free Tubi account, and the game will be available to stream live in the Tubi app.  No credit card will be required to sign up, lifting a barrier which should increase the amount of fans that can stream the game.

This move continues FOX Sports' trend of using Tubi to expand the reach of its most prestigious sports events. Previously, FOX Sports has used the platform to offer on-demand access to World Cup matches, providing viewers with additional flexibility to catch up on the games after they aired. By streaming high-profile sports events like the Super Bowl on Tubi, FOX is strengthening the platform's position as a key player in the streaming wars, positioning it as a go-to destination for sports fans seeking top-tier content without the subscription fee.

The Tubi Red Carpet, hosted by Olivia Culpo, will offer a live pre-show that delves into the celebrity culture, fashion, and excitement that surround the event. The coverage will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET, and fans can also catch up on Super Bowl history, iconic halftime shows, and more through watching the free live NFL Channel on Tubi. With the addition of their free streaming app Tubi, FOX is once again demonstrating its ability to adapt to shifting viewing habits, providing fans with more ways to enjoy the most-watched sports event of the year.

As Pro Bowl enters a new era, NFL scores with key successes from overnight ratings

The 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Skills Show has proved to be a success for the league, drawing over one million viewers and an increase in a key demographic.

The event held Thursday in Orlando, delivered a decent performance in the ratings department, drawing 1.1 million viewers on ESPN. Thursday’s broadcast matched the 2024 Pro Bowl Skills Competition as the most-watched Pro Bowl event since 2018. The event took place at the 60,219-seat Camping World Stadium, steaming on both ESPN+ and NFL+. The increased viewership is a sign of the growing popularity of the event, as the NFL continues to innovate and engage fans with new forms of entertainment leading up to the Super Bowl.

One of the standout metrics from this year’s broadcast was a 7% increase in viewership from the previous year, particularly in the key 18-34 age demographic. This age group, crucial for advertisers and the NFL's long-term fan engagement, demonstrated significant interest in the revamped Pro Bowl experience. The shift from a traditional football game to a skill-based competition has resonated with younger fans, who are likely drawn to the fast-paced, interactive format and the opportunity to see NFL stars compete in a more casual, yet highly entertaining setting.

The Pro Bowl Skills Show saw its ratings peak at 1.4 million viewers between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m.  This peak in viewership solidifies the NFL’s strategy to build the Pro Bowl into a more compelling, yearly attraction for fans.

Looking ahead, the Pro Bowl Games will conclude with Day #2 on Sunday, February 2, at 3 p.m. The event will air across multiple platforms, including ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, Disney XD, and NFL+, ensuring the event reaches a wide and diverse audience. With the success of the Skills Show, the NFL is on the right track in transforming the Pro Bowl into a multi-platform experience that keeps fans engaged while attracting advertisers back to the two-day event.

2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: Over 8,000 fans in attendance for this year’s Classic

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic took place today at the FLA Live Arena, featuring a doubleheader of exciting college basketball action. While the event saw a total attendance of just over 8,000 fans across both games, it’s clear that the energy in the building more than made up for any empty seats. Though the crowd didn’t reach the sell-out mark, those in attendance were vocal, engaged, and provided an electric atmosphere for the teams on the court.

A unique part of this showcase is the different fan bases who make their way from different states with passionate supporters showing up not just for the local teams, but for the overall experience of the event.  The afternoon was a great way for basketball fans in Broward County to get a look at four major Division 1 basketball schools all in one place - a venue that will only be hosting two basketball games all year. 

Despite the less-than-capacity turnout, the crowd’s enthusiasm was a testament to the growing popularity of the event in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. In a market where basketball is constantly competing for attention against other major sports, the Orange Bowl Basketballl Classic stands out as a key fixture on the college hoops calendar.  The atmosphere inside the Amerant Bank Arena for this year’s showcase proved that the passion for basketball in South Florida remains strong and vibrant.

2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: ESPN TV audience to get a double-header of basketball action

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is getting exceptional live television coverage, with both games broadcasted across the ESPN family of networks. This highly anticipated event is taking place at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, home of the NHL's Florida Panthers. As South Florida's premier one-day NCAA basketball showcase, the Orange Bowl Classic brings together four top-tier NCAA Division 1 programs for a thrilling afternoon of basketball action.

The event will feature two exciting matchups. The first game at 2:00 PM will saw the UCF Knights square off against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. The seven matchup which began at 4:30 PM has Florida State taking on Tulane in a showcase of four major Division 1 schools. Both games are broadcast live, with UCF vs. Tulsa available on ESPNU and Florida State vs. Tulane airing on the ACC Network, ensuring that basketball fans across the country can tune in and enjoy the high-level competition.

In addition to the traditional television broadcasts, the games will also be available for streaming on the ESPN App and ESPN.com. This offers fans the flexibility to watch live from virtually anywhere, as long as they have a subscription to the relevant ESPN networks. With the convenience of digital streaming and wide-reaching television coverage, the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic ensures that fans worldwide will stay connected to this exciting event.

With top-tier television broadcasts and widespread accessibility through digital streaming, the 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is set to captivate basketball fans across the ESPN audience. The event stands as a highlight of South Florida's sports calendar, offering a first-class showcase for basketball fans across the nation.

2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: Showcase brings top-tier college basketball to Broward County for 2024 event

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is one of the most unique college basketball events of the season in South Florida, showcasing the region's growing prominence in the world of college basketball. Held annually as a part of the broader Orange Bowl festivities, this event brings together top-tier men’s college teams for an exciting day of basketball in Sunrise. While Miami has long been associated with football, the inclusion of basketball in the Orange Bowl series of events emphasizes the area's expanding role as a hub for collegiate sports. The game’s timing, right in the midst of the college basketball season, makes it an essential stop for teams aiming to build momentum ahead of their conference schedules.

For South Florida, the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is much more than just a one-off event. It has become a key fixture in the local sports calendar, drawing thousands of basketball fans and tourists to the region each December. With South Florida’s diverse population and growing sports culture, the event is an excellent opportunity for college programs to tap into new recruiting grounds. Broward County, in particular, benefits greatly from hosting the event, as it allows the region to showcase its world-class facilities, vibrant fanbase, and its status as a global sports destination. The Classic's appeal extends beyond just the teams involved - local businesses, hotels, and restaurants all thrive on the influx of visitors, making it an important economic driver for the region.

The Orange Bowl Basketball Classic also holds special significance when tied to the larger Orange Bowl football game. Traditionally, both events occur around the same time, creating a dynamic sports weekend that unites college football and basketball fans. This alignment not only boosts the profile of both events but also creates a shared experience that brings together supporters of different sports. The synergy between the football and basketball events enhances the overall Orange Bowl brand, making it a multi-sport celebration that South Florida can take pride in. For basketball, this connection with the iconic football game helps elevate its stature and visibility during a time when college sports fans are highly engaged.

As the 2024 edition of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic nears an end with the second of two games, its growing significance for college basketball in South Florida cannot be overstated. The event offers an invaluable platform for teams to compete in front of a passionate and diverse crowd, while also serving as a critical piece in the broader celebration of college athletics in the region. By continuing to build on its success, the Classic is poised to further solidify South Florida’s place as a premier destination for college sports, while strengthening the ties between basketball and the storied legacy of the Orange Bowl football game.

Coverage of the 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic

SportsBizAmerica.com is excited to announce our coverage of the 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic.  We will be reporting on-site from the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, which is home to the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers.  

The game is a significant basketball game in South Florida as it is one of the only one-day NCAA showcase events in South Florida, and is the only basketball game being played at Amerant Bank Arena in 2024.  The game will feature four NCAA Division 1 basketball programs facing off in a one-day showcase: UCF will face Tulsa in the first game at 2:00, while Florida State will take on Tulane in the second of two games at 4:30.

Both games will be televised live, with UCF vs. Tulsa live on ESPNU, and Florida St. vs. Tulane will be live on the ACC Network.  Both games can also be streamed live on the ESPN App and ESPN.com with a TV subscription to each network.  

Check back on SportsBizAmerica.com for our coverage from Sunrise, Florida, marking the very first time we will be covering an event on-site from the venue since the site's launch in 2020.  Coverage will focus on all things sports business from the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, covering the off-court side of this unique NCAA showcase event.

2024: The Year of the WNBA

The 2024 WNBA season has officially gone down as the most successful in the league’s history, with record-breaking achievements across the board - from viewership and attendance to social media engagement and merchandise sales. With its 28th regular season now in the books, the WNBA is riding high on a season of growth, proving that women’s professional sports, and particularly the WNBA, are reaching new heights of mainstream appeal. 

When it comes to viewership, the 2024 season shattered previous records, attracting a total of 54 million unique viewers across ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ION, and NBA TV. The league saw 22 regular-season games averaging over 1 million viewers, a huge milestone for the WNBA. ESPN’s platforms experienced a 170% increase in viewership from the previous year, making it the most-watched season in WNBA history. CBS also saw a historic year, with a 86% jump in viewership, while NBA TV quadrupled its viewership compared to 2023. The 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game alone drew a record 3.4 million viewers, a 305% increase from last season. These numbers are proof of the WNBA’s growing appeal, particularly among national audiences who are tuning in like never before.

The surge in viewership was mirrored by a remarkable spike in attendance. With a total of 2.35 million fans filling arenas, the WNBA posted its highest attendance figures in 22 years, marking a 48% increase from the previous season. The league’s 154 sellouts were a massive leap from last year’s 45, highlighting the rising demand for live women’s basketball. A few standout games like the September 19 matchup between the Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics, which set a new single-game attendance record with 20,711 fans, demonstrate the WNBA’s potential to fill large venues. Indiana was a leader in attendance, setting a new team record for home crowds with 340,715 fans over the season. The Fever’s impressive growth of +319% exemplifies the overall surge in fan support across all 12 teams.

On the digital side, the WNBA’s social media engagement went through the roof in 2024. The league generated nearly 2 billion video views across its platforms, marking an amazing 400% increase over last season’s total. The WNBA App saw a 252% jump in monthly active users, while subscriptions to WNBA League Pass, the out-of-market live game package, skyrocketed by 366%. Merchandise sales also experienced a huge uptick, with online and in-store sales spiking by 601%. Even retail giants like Dick's Sporting Goods reported a 233% increase in sales compared to 2023. This surge in engagement, both on and off the court, signals that the WNBA is tapping into an increasingly engaged fanbase that’s eager to connect with the league and its players.

In addition to a strong domestic presence, the WNBA continues to expand its international footprint. With 34 international players on opening night rosters and new broadcast deals across key global markets - including the UK, Taiwan, China, Brazil, and the Philippines - the league is solidifying its status as a global sports entity. Canada, in particular, has been a key area of growth, with WNBA regular-season viewership up 148% year-over-year. The second annual WNBA Canada Game, held in Edmonton, sold out for the second straight year, and viewership in Canada for this event increased by 65%. The league’s global expansion will continue with the addition of a Toronto franchise set to debut in 2026, further cementing the WNBA’s international ambitions.

From a business perspective, the 2024 season confirms that the WNBA is on the rise.  It is drawing more viewers, fans, and revenue than ever before. With its increasingly engaged fanbase, both domestically and globally, and its ability to consistently set records in multiple areas, the league is positioned for sustained success in the years to come. The growth of the WNBA is not just a one-time event, it’s a signal that women’s sports are here to stay and will only continue to thrive as they receive the attention and investment they deserve. With record-breaking performances on the court and record-breaking metrics off it, the 2024 season will go down as a defining moment in the history of the WNBA.