Anthem Sports & Entertainment said it reached a deal to launch two of its most popular channels–AXS TV Now and Fight Network on the Xumo platform.

The channels are free to viewers and ad supported.

Xumo, owned by Comcast will become part of the joint venture between Comcast and Charter Communication that plans to set up a new national streaming platform.

Also: Anthem’s Impact Wrestling, Fight Network Added to YouTube TV Sports Plus Tier

AXS TV Now features music and pop culture. Programming includes The Big Interview with Dan Rather, The Top 10 Reveal and Music’s Greatest Mysteries, in addition to concerts and performances.

When its not showing live and classic mixed martial arts and boxing events, Fight Network airs programming including Retrospective Diary, In 60 and After The Fight.

Xumo features a lineup of over-the-top VOD and live free premium digital channels. The platform Xumo announced plans to expand into Canada. ■

Anthem Sports & Entertainment said it reached a deal putting its Fight Network and Impact Wrestling on YouTube TV as part of the streaming TV service‘s Sports Plus add-on package.

The Sports Plus package costs $10.99 a month.

“Fight Network and Impact Wrestling have built a strong legacy delivering quality sports-based content to audiences around the world, and we are proud to join forces with YouTube TV’s Sports Plus package to reach even more viewers through this landmark deal,” said Jaime Pollack, chief revenue officer, sports group at Anthem. “YouTube TV is leading the way in the streaming landscape, and we are excited to join their lineup as we continue delivering the exclusive high-quality combat sports and professional wrestling programming that Fight Network and Impact Wrestling are known for.”

Fight Network offers combat sports 24/7, with live and classic MMA and boxing events from around the world. The network also offers original programs such as Retrospective, In 60, Diary and After the Fight.

Impact Wrestling offers a vast library of more than 4,000 hours of new and classic grappling content. Viewers can watch the current roster of athletes — including champions Moose, Mickie James, Trey Miguel, The Good Brothers, The Inspiration and Matt Cardona — in the rings, or watch icons of pro wrestling such as Ric Flair, Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash or AJ Styles.

Other channels in YouTube’s Sports Plus package include BeIN Sports, Billiard TV, Fox Soccer Plus, Gol TV, MavTV Motorsports Network, NFL Redzone, Outside TV Plus, Poker Go Plus, Stadium, TVG and VSiN. ■ 

AXS TV on Saturday (Dec. 11) will air a live boxing card from Dubai as part of a new partnership deal between the network’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment and upstart boxing promotion company Probellum.

The event, Probellum: Revolution-World Championship Boxing Live From Dubai, will feature the co-main event bouts between IBF Flyweight titleholder Sunny Edwards and contender Jayson Mama, as well as WBO Bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero against Paul Butler, said AXS TV. 

Along with AXS TV, Anthem’s Fight Network will also air the fight. Fight Network will also air a Dec. 18 Probellum-promoted fight from England, according to Anthem officials. 

Also: Anthem Sports & Entertainment Acquires Gravitas for $73 Million

“Anthem has long been a major proponent of combat sports, and we are proud to join forces with Probellum to bring their inaugural Revolution event to boxing enthusiasts throughout the United States and Canada on AXS TV and Fight Network,” Anthem CEO and founder Leonard Asper said in a statement.. “From boxing and MMA, to professional wrestling and more, combat sports content has consistently ranked as one of our most popular programming offerings. We are honored to be part of two historic Probellum events, and look forward to sharing their world-class boxing brand with our viewers starting with Probellum: Revolution this Saturday.” ■ 

Redbox said it has added Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s AXS TV Now and Fight Network to its free live TV streaming service.

The networks were added under an expanded content agreement between Redbox and Anthem. Redbox previously had Anthem’s Impact Wrestling Channel on its streaming service.

"Anthem Sports & Entertainment has a wealth of great content that is perfect for our Redbox streaming audience,” said Chris Yates, general manager, Redbox On Demand. "We’ve already seen success with the Impact Wrestling Channel, and we know Fight Network and AXS TV Now  will also be well received by our viewers.”

Redbox, well known for its video kiosks has been expanding its ad-supported streaming business. The company is owned by Apollo Global Management and is preparing to go public via a special purpose acquisition company. It has also been adding content. Redbox recently acquired 100 hours of standup and comedy programming from Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud production company.

“Redbox is a true pioneer in the streaming landscape, and Anthem is proud to expand upon our successful partnership with the launch of AXS TV Now and Fight Network on the platform,” said Len Asper, president and CEO of Anthem Sports & Entertainment. “The Impacts Wrestling Channel has been well-received by Redbox users, and we are excited to provide them with even more top-quality content with these two new additions. From classic concerts and iconic bouts, to insightful interviews, unique originals, and everything in-between, our networks offer something for everyone, and we look forward to sharing them all with the Redbox audience.”

Also Read: Christina Chu Joins Redbox as VP of Technology

AXS TV Now is an ad supported entertainment, music and lifestyle streaming service featuring concerts, music features and The Big Interview with Dan Rather.

Fight Network is a 24/7 destination for combat sports coverage, with more than 300 hours of live fights from promoters around the world.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment said it made a deal with Russia’s largest digital platform--Rutube.list--to carry Fight Network and Impact Wrestling in the country starting Oct. 1.

Fight Network and Impact Wrestling join Rutube.List’s growing sports block. The channels will be launched as VOD offerings, presented in both English and Russian.

“Russia is a true powerhouse for combat sports, bringing the world some of the top fighters in the business and boasting an impressive base of passionate and knowledgeable fans,” said Jaime Pollack, chief revenue officer of Anthem’s Fight Media Group, who oversees all commercial operations for Fight Network and Impact Wrestling. “Anthem is proud to join forces with Rutube.List, bringing some of the best offerings from Fight Network and Impact Wrestling to 10 million viewers throughout Russia and the CIS. We are excited to be a part of their growing sports programming lineup, and look forward to working with them as we move into the future.”

Rutube.List provides programming to 10 million viewers throughout Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

“Various thematic content of the Fight Network channel will be available on Rutube.List, including a library of classic wrestling matches, collections of spectacular fights, analysis of the best and critical moments of combat events and comments from athletes and experts,” said Roman Maksimov, CEO of Rutube.List.

Fight Network offers combat sports coverage including live fights and original programs, including Retrospective, Diary, In 50 and After the Fight.

Impact Wrestling celebrates classic superstars like Hulk Hogan and Rick Flair, as well as current stars such as Eric Young, Ken Shamrock and Rohit Raju. Impact Wrestling is gearing up for its big Bound For Glory pay-per-view event on Oct. 24. The PPV event is available throughout Fite TV.

In addition to Russia and the CIS, Impact Wrestling is available is available in the United States, Latin America, Canada, India, the United Kingdom, Africa and Mexico. In the U.S, it can be watched on demand on Altice, Cox, Spectrum, Verizon Fios and Comcast Xfinity platforms.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s Fight Network has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with SAWA Rights management, which has put the network on TV platforms in the Middle East and Northern Africa region.

SAWA has been working with Fight Network, getting it on DU in Dubai; Jawwy TV, a leading OTT platform operated by Saudi Telecom and TOOLi, a new satellite and OTT platform launching in the region.

“Combat sports have enjoyed a significant increase in popularity with viewers around the world, cementing the medium as a true global phenomenon,” said Ariel Shnerer, GM of Fight Network. “We are proud to have the opportunity to continue building on our partnership with SRM, and we look forward to providing even more viewers across the MENA with the exclusive live events, acclaimed series and original content that only Fight Network can provide.”

Fight Network had previously been broadcast on OSN in the area.

“We are excited to finally bring Fight Network back to the MENA region,” said Ali Ajouz, SRM CEO. “The return of the channel will undoubtedly satisfy the most demanding fans of Combat Sports.”

Anthem Sports & Entertainment made a deal with the National Cable Television Cooperative that makes Anthem’s Fight Network and Game Plus available to the NCTC’s 750 mid-sized and small operators.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The agreement follows Anthem and the NCTC reaching a multi-year renewal of their carriage agreement covering AXS TV and HDNet Movies in April.

“We are proud to continue our successful partnership with NCTC, as we make Fight Network and Game+ widely available to their diverse membership of TV distributors,” said Randy Brown, senior VP of Distribution for Anthem. “Each channel offers something unique for sports enthusiasts of all tastes, ranging from combat sports and pro wrestling, to fantasy and eSports, and everything in-between. We look forward to sharing our high-quality content with even more viewers across North America.”

Fight Network provides combat sports coverage, including more than 300 hours of live fights from around the world.

Game Plus features eSports, fantasy sports, wagering and millennial sports content, including high-stakes power, wrestling and other action-adventure and competition-based shows.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment made a deal with the National Cable Television Cooperative that makes Anthem’s Fight Network and Game Plus available to the NCTC’s 750 mid-sized and small operators.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The agreement follows Anthem and the NCTC reaching a multi-year renewal of their carriage agreement covering AXS TV and HDNet Movies in April.

“We are proud to continue our successful partnership with NCTC, as we make Fight Network and Game+ widely available to their diverse membership of TV distributors,” said Randy Brown, senior VP of Distribution for Anthem. “Each channel offers something unique for sports enthusiasts of all tastes, ranging from combat sports and pro wrestling, to fantasy and esports, and everything in-between. We look forward to sharing our high-quality content with even more viewers across North America.”

Fight Network provides combat sports coverage, including more than 300 hours of live fights from around the world.

Game Plus features eSports, fantasy sports, wagering and millennial sports content, including high-stakes power, wrestling and other action-adventure and competition-based shows.

Following up on an earlier offer, Anthem Sports & Entertainment said it's provided a credit facility to fund the operations of TNA Impact Wrestling and that Anthem, which also owns equity in the wrestling outfit, will manage TNA's operations, including pay-per-view events and Impact Wrestling shows that air on Pop.

The move follows recent legal challenges between TNA (for Total Nonstop Action) parent Impact Ventures and Billy Corgan, who is the frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins and erstwhile backer and president of TNA. "Billy Corgan is no longer with the company," Anthem and Impact said in a release today. Corgan, though, said in a series of tweets that he had not been paid what TNA "swore to in front of a judge" and that he is exploring all legal remedies, including "converting to 36 pct. equity." Fight Network (which Anthem owns) replied on Twitter, in part, that "(t)here is a solid financial plan for @IMPACTWRESTLING & Mr. Corgan's loan will be dealt with appropriately." 

Anthem EVP Ed Nordholm will join the Impact Ventures board of managers, and the board will manage the company, Anthem said. Dixie Carter stays on as company chair and is on the board of managers.

“We have had a successful, long-term partnership with Fight Network as our Canadian broadcaster, and more recently as our global digital partner,” Carter said in a release. “Anthem’s team has extensive media experience, and I am excited to have that available to us as we plan for the future.” Anthem is the parent of Fight Network.

Anthem CEO Leonard Asper said in the release: “We have consistently maintained that investing in content as we grow our distribution is important as a strategic necessity, and working more closely with a strong brand like TNA is in line with that. This financing is an extension of the support we have been providing since the beginning of the year. There are tremendous opportunities to support the company’s growth on all platforms and in all media along side Dixie and the incredible talent and staff at TNA.”

Pop, owned by CBS and Lionsgate, airs Impact Wrestling on Thursday nights year round and has continued to do so through the recent offscreen turmoil involving Carter and Corgan. Pop president Brad Schwartz told Multichannel News in a statement, "Pop remains committed to Impact Wresting and its amazing team and athletes. The show continues to be one of Pop’s most watched original programs with continued quarter over quarter ratings growth. We look forward to what lies ahead.”

Anthem Sports & Entertainment said today (Oct. 19) it confirmed recently making a "working capital loan" to fund the operations of TNA Impact Wrestling, the financially troubled wrestling organization, and that it had offered to provide money to repay loans made to TNA by The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan.

Corgan, a huge wrestling fan, was named president of Impact Ventures in August, overseeing day to day operations of TNA, as Rolling Stone reported. Since then, Corgan has sued the TNA organization and principals, including chairman Dixie Carter, according to several reports (including this one), and a hearing has reportedly been scheduled for tomorrow (Oct. 20) on Corgan's receipt of a restraining order and temporary injunction.

Toronto-based Anthem Sports & Entertainment said it licenses TNA programming for Fight Network in the United States, Canada and other international markets and has exclusive streaming rights of TNA shows for streaming Internet-delivered TV. TNA Impact Wrestling airs Thursday nights on Pop in a deal the network announced in November 2015. TNA programming previously aired on Destination America and Spike.

“TNA is a strong property for Fight Network and as a licensee and global distribution partner we have a keen interest in seeing the company not only survive but continue to grow and thrive, alongside our own growth,” Leonard Asper, CEO of Anthem, said in the statement. “We are hopeful that the company can soon get back to doing what it does best, which is to produce great wrestling content.”

Suddenlink Communications has inked carriage agreements with Fantasy Sports Network and Fight Network, the company said Monday.

The Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp.-owned networks will be available to 1.5 million Suddenlink subscribers across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and other markets. Both channels will be available in high-definition (HD) on Suddenlink’s Sports Plus Tier, according to network officials.

“FNTSY Sports Network and Fight Network offer sports enthusiasts new viewing and information options that complement the huge variety we offer in our sports packages,” said Suddenlink Senior Vice President and Chief Programming Officer Kathy Payne in a statement. “Fantasy sports popularity, in particular, has grown rapidly in recent years and our new offerings will help meet demands of that audience.”

Added Leonard Asper, CEO of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp: “Within just one year of our launch, we have hit another milestone with our distribution on Suddenlink because of its reach across the country. With a high demand for live and fresh sports programming, both FNTSY Sports Network and Fight Network and are now available on two top 10 cable providers in the U.S., fulfilling the entertainment needs of new subscribers across the country with our engaging sports properties.”

Anthem Media Group's Fight Network and FNTSY Sports Network have launched on Shentel Cable's new Fans Choice Sports package. Anthem said the new $5.95 sports package became available to Shentel Cable customers on Aug. 19 and also includes NFL RedZone HD, Fox Soccer Plus HD, ESPN Buzzer Beater HD, World Fishing Network HD, Pursuit Channel and Horse Racing TV HD.

Fight Network HD can be found on channel 363, while FNTSY Sports Network HD is available on channel 366. In order to receive Fans Choice, Shentel Cable TV customers must be subscribed to the Ultimate or Ultimate HD TV package. Shentel Cable is available in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland.

“Sports enthusiasts will love this package,” Tom Whitaker, vice president of Shentel Cable, said in a release. “There is something for just about every kind of sports fan. Whether you’re a football fanatic, a fly fisherman or dedicated to combat sports, the Fans Choice package has programming to satisfy all your sports entertainment cravings.”