As more fans cut the cord and gravitate toward streaming for live sports, the battle to deliver high‑quality, in‑market action has never been hotter. Local RSN provider FanDuel Sports Network (FDSN) is turning up the heat on its streaming viewership after teaming up with Magnite’s SpringServe platform. The pair has seen a staggering result of a 25% year‑over‑year jump in total ad impressions served and a better experience for fans and advertisers alike.
According to eMarketer, digital live sports viewership in the U.S. is set to surge by more than 14% in 2025 as streaming cements itself as the go‑to destination for sports aficionados. That’s great news for die‑hard fans who want to cheer on their hometown teams without the cable bill, provided they get a seamless, buffer‑free stream and ads that feel relevant to their interests.
“Live sports are one of the most powerful formats for engaging audiences, but they also present unique monetization challenges. Magnite’s SpringServe empowers us with the sophisticated tools we need to stay ahead of audience expectations, and has been instrumental in our digital evolution,” said Kevin Connelly, Senior Director, Programmatic Sales and Business Development at FanDuel Sports Network in a statement.
“FanDuel Sports Network is building a smarter, fan-first platform with unmatched scale and flexibility, and that requires ad tech partners who can move just as fast, and Magnite’s SpringServe is doing just that,” added Jim Keller, Executive Vice President, Head of Advertising and Sponsorship Sales at FanDuel Sports Network.
FanDuel Sports Network has partnered with Magnite, the largest independent sell‑side advertising company, to power its ad operations. Using SpringServe’s advanced ad serving, programmatic, and mediation tools, FDSN’s 15 owned-and-operated networks can:
- Maximize yield by balancing direct‐sold and programmatically‐bought inventory
- Preserve stream quality even during high‐traffic peak moments
- Deliver smarter ads with Ad Quality and Live Stream Acceleration features
Put simply, fans get uninterrupted live play, and advertisers reach highly engaged audiences who are already primed to act. Whether viewers are placing a bet, signing up for a fantasy league, or checking out the latest team gear, FanDuel Sports Network has them covered.
“As live sports consumption continues its rapid shift to digital, publishers need agile infrastructure purpose-built for streaming monetization,” said Chris Signore, Group VP, Business Development at Magnite. “FanDuel Sports Network is raising the bar for what innovative, data-driven sports streaming can look like, and we’re proud to continue helping power their growth as they expand their premium streaming footprint.”
“FanDuel Sports Network and Magnite have demonstrated through their collaboration that when biddable live sports is done right, we consistently see media contribute to positive business outcomes. We are constantly seeking out high-quality and direct supply, which the teams have built here,” said Gary Guarnaccia, Head of Investment and Ad Tech at Bayer Healthcare.
Recent studies have shown that 40% of sports fans only watch digitally as cord cutting continues to hamper the pay-TV industry. Other studies have shown that many fans have grown tired of needing multiple apps to watch their favorite teams play. For in-market viewers, FanDuel Sports Networks are home to over 3,000 events, including NBA, NHL and MLB games. With a 25% bump in impressions and a booming market projected to grow by another 14% next year, FDSN is poised to redefine how fans watch and how brands connect with local sports.
If you’re streaming in‑market games on FDSN via your smart TV, phone, or tablet, no ticket is needed, as the best seat in the house might just be your living room.