BZZR becomes LA Rams’ preseason streaming home as free sports streamer looks to expand

BZZR, a free streaming service, has secured a deal to become the Los Angeles Rams' local preseason streaming platform, with the aim of further expanding its reach. All three preseason games will be streamed free to fans across California, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Australia, and Mexico. The agreement is notable, as it marks the first time an NFL team has partnered with a streamer for its preseason games.

This comes after BZZR gained prominence in July when the Texas Rangers shifted their direct-to-consumer streaming platform to BZZR following financial troubles at their previous provider, Victory+. BZZR has faced criticism for initially lacking apps on Roku, Samsung, and LG smart TVs, but an app for Roku has since been launched.

In addition to its partnership with the Rams, BZZR has secured a deal with The Sporting Tribune to host a postgame show following the final two preseason games and launch team-specific podcasts. CEO Brett Weitz expressed excitement about the Rams deal, stating that it demonstrates the potential of BZZR's model and sets the stage for the company's future growth.

BZZR currently competes with Victory+, another free sports streaming service, but Victory+ has recently lost agreements with the Rangers, NWSL, and Anaheim Ducks due to financial issues. Despite this, Victory+ continues to operate, airing Texas high school football games and Dallas Stars games. While BZZR faces significant challenges in avoiding the pitfalls of Victory+, the Rams partnership provides a promising start for the free streaming service.