Players Media Group has announced the creation of PlayersTV, a new outlet dedicated to sports lifestyle and culture. The video platform will launch March 25 on Samsung TV Plus; the ad-supported streaming app will be available for free on Samsung smart TVs.
Canadian broadcaster Anthem Sports & Entertainment is an investor and strategic partner of Players Media Group. PlayersTV has also received investment from NBA players such as Chris Paul, CJ McCollum, Garrett Temple, and Anthony Tolliver, as well as retired NFL tight end Vernon Davis. NBA star Carmelo Anthony and former collegiate gymnast Katelyn Ohashi have also partnered with the media startup.
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“We created PlayersTV to give athletes access to a dedicated platform where they could showcase their other skill sets. I believe it's just the beginning for the type of premium content that athletes want to produce,” Tolliver said in a press release. Tolliver, a forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, was previously interviewed as part of SportTechie’s Athlete’s Voice series.
Players Media Group was co-founded by Collin Castellaw and Deron Guidrey, who previously worked together at the sports marketing agency, Pregame Media. Nancy Pinitore, a former VP of sales and marketing at the Tennis Channel, has been hired as CEO of Players Media Group. The company’s slogan is “Athletes on Demand.”
PlayersTV will initially launch exclusively on Samsung TV Plus, but the channel will also be distributed on three other platforms before Q3 of this year. PlayersTV has also formed a content partnership with CloseUp360, a media platform that covers the off-the-court lives of NBA players.
