Sports Illustrated set for OTT digital network

US media company Time has revealed plans to launch an OTT streaming service under the banner of its flagship magazine, Sports Illustrated.

Time unveiled the plans at its NewFronts presentation in New York. According to the AdWeek website, new content on The Sports Illustrated Network will include original documentaries and insights from prominent SI reporters who cover a variety of sports.

The network is set for an autumn launch and will also present live event programming, fantasy sports and swimsuit content.

“Sports Illustrated was the original sports storyteller, and this is the natural evolution of this iconic brand,” Rich Battista, Time president and chief executive, said.

In May 2016, Time launched a new network of channels and digital platforms for Sports Illustrated in partnership with pan-Asian sports broadcaster ASN.

Under the project, the Hong Kong-based ASN and ASN2 pay-television sports channels have been rebranded as Sports Illustrated and Sports Illustrated 2. Accompanying websites and mobile applications have also changed their names in line with the new brands.