FanDuel TV, the longtime linear television network dedicated to horse racing broadcasts, will undergo a complete phase-out over the next 20 months, with more than 100 jobs slated for elimination by the end of November 2026, according to the Paulick Report. The company announced the strategic shift during an internal town hall meeting held on March 27, 2026, signaling a major transition in how it delivers racing content to fans and bettors across the United States. Now this is different from the FanDuel Sports Networks that are shutting down in April. Those Regional Sports Networks operate independently from FanDuel TV.
Originally launched in 1999 as the Television Games Network, or TVG, the channel pioneered the delivery of live horse races from tracks around the world into American households. It evolved through several ownership changes before becoming part of FanDuel following the integration under parent company Flutter Entertainment. At its peak, the network reached tens of millions of homes through major cable and satellite providers, serving as both an entertainment platform and a gateway for advance deposit wagering on races. In recent years, it has maintained distribution across services including DirecTV, Dish Network, Hulu, Comcast, Verizon, Charter Spectrum, Optimum, and YouTube TV, while also offering streaming options via dedicated apps.
The decision to wind down the linear network stems from a comprehensive internal review that determined ongoing investments in traditional television infrastructure no longer supported FanDuel’s broader business objectives. Company leaders concluded that resources could be better allocated toward core growth areas, particularly in digital betting platforms and integrated sports wagering experiences. This realignment reflects broader industry trends, where streaming and mobile applications have increasingly supplanted linear cable channels as the primary means of content consumption. FanDuel emphasized that the move allows the organization to focus on high-priority initiatives while still honoring existing commitments to the horse racing community.
Under the phased timeline, operations will proceed without immediate disruptions for viewers. Full programming, including coverage of major events such as the Triple Crown races, the Keeneland spring meet, and other key fixtures, will continue through the middle of 2026. A significant workforce reduction of approximately 60 percent is planned by the end of June 2026, once those initial obligations are met. Starting in July 2026, the network will begin scaling back in-studio production and on-air hosting roles. By December 2026, all in-studio elements will cease, though on-site track production and live race broadcasts will persist to fulfill contractual agreements through the end of 2027.
Throughout this period, horse racing content will remain accessible through FanDuel’s digital ecosystem. Bettors and fans can continue watching races via the FanDuel Racing and TVG wagering apps, as well as the FanDuel TV+ streaming service available on devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and directly through the FanDuel website. Cable carriage of the network will also extend through 2027, ensuring no abrupt loss of access for traditional viewers. Non-racing programming associated with FanDuel’s sportsbook operations will remain unaffected by these changes.
The job eliminations, totaling over 100 positions by late 2026, will primarily affect roles tied to studio production, on-air talent, and related support functions. FanDuel has indicated that the process will prioritize support for affected employees during the transition, though specific details on severance or placement assistance were not outlined publicly. The reductions come amid a stable but evolving wagering landscape for horse racing. In 2025, FanDuel’s platforms handled over $2.2 billion in wagers through a key regulatory hub in Oregon, maintaining a substantial market share in the advance deposit wagering sector. This figure represented a modest increase from the prior year but fell short of pandemic-era highs when track closures drove record handle.
The phase-out occurs against the backdrop of FanDuel’s dominant position in the U.S. sports betting market, where the company holds a leading share following the 2018 Supreme Court decision that opened the door to widespread legalized wagering. Parent company Flutter Entertainment reported strong revenue growth from its U.S. operations in 2025, driven by sports betting, iGaming, daily fantasy sports, and horse racing segments. Despite these successes, the linear television operation was viewed as misaligned with long-term digital transformation goals. Industry observers note that many fans have grown accustomed to the seamless integration of watching races and placing bets within the same mobile app environment, reducing the necessity for a standalone cable channel.
Horse racing stakeholders expressed mixed reactions to the news, with some highlighting the historical role FanDuel TV played in promoting the sport to a national audience. The network helped introduce new generations to the excitement of live racing while providing in-depth analysis and expert commentary. However, the shift toward streaming aligns with changing viewer habits, as younger audiences increasingly prefer on-demand and mobile-first experiences. FanDuel has committed to continued investment in racing partnerships and content delivery, ensuring that live races from partner tracks will still reach audiences through 2027 and beyond via digital channels.
This development underscores the rapid evolution of media and betting industries in the digital age. Traditional broadcast models face mounting pressure as companies optimize costs and prioritize platforms that offer direct engagement with users. For horse racing, the transition may accelerate innovation in how races are presented, potentially incorporating enhanced graphics, interactive betting features, and personalized viewing options within apps. While the end of FanDuel TV as a linear network marks the close of an era that began over a quarter-century ago, the underlying infrastructure for wagering and race viewing will endure in a more streamlined, technology-driven form.
As the 20-month wind-down progresses, industry participants will monitor how the changes affect overall engagement with horse racing. FanDuel’s strategy positions the company to maintain its influence in the sector while adapting to consumer preferences that favor flexibility and integration. Viewers are encouraged to stay tuned through existing apps and platforms, where the same high-quality race coverage is expected to continue without interruption in the near term. The full implications for employment, production quality, and fan experience will become clearer as the timeline unfolds through 2027.
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