Entertainment
Whoopi Goldberg launches the first online sports network for women – Essence
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 23: Whoopi Goldberg visits SiriusXM Studios on July 23, 2024 in New York City. (Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
For the first time, female athletes, teams and leagues around the world could have a dedicated platform to rejoice their achievements in a way often reserved for male-dominated sports. It’s all thanks partly to the incomparable Whoopi Goldberg.
The Oscar-winning actress, renowned comedian and outspoken social justice advocate has long been a cultural force, and now she’s extending her influence to sports with the launch of a movie All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN).
“It will be a place where women’s sporting events from around the world will be broadcast live,” Goldberg said last week on the show.
Launched in partnership with international streaming company JungoTV, the network is now available in the United States via VIZIO WatchFree+, in addition to globally via Jio TV in India, Evision in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and Jungo Pinoy in the Philippines. The network’s mission is straightforward yet groundbreaking: to offer a platform where female athletes, sporting leagues and events gain unparalleled visibility and celebration.
“Our goal is to have the world’s largest distributed women’s sports network, digital or broadcast.” Goldberg said.
The launch of AWSN is timely. Despite a big increase in interest in women’s sports, opportunities for media presence remain limited. All Women’s Sports Network goals to fill this gap, providing over 2,000 hours of live programming from the first broadcasts of sports similar to UEFA football, FIBA basketball and field hockey.
Thanks to its partnership with CommonSpirit Health, the network’s primary brand sponsor in the US, AWSN already has good contacts with entities supporting holistic representation and health in sports. Goldberg, who has long used her platform to advocate for social justice and social representation, shared her enthusiasm for the initiative. “The world is finally recognizing the amazing female athletes who have always been here but didn’t get the attention they deserved,” Goldberg said. “Making these athletes, teams and leagues available to over 2 billion people is a historic event.”
The network’s founding team also includes CEO George Chung, who emphasized the huge need for a dedicated space for women’s sports coverage. “Women’s track and field is growing exponentially and there is not a single platform that showcases these incredible stories, athletes and events year-round,” Chung noted.
AWSN’s unique programming offering covers a formidable range of sports, making it a groundbreaking destination for viewers and fans of women’s sports around the world. From the coverage of the International Basketball Federation and the Women’s Football Association to the field hockey and football leagues of OBOS Damallsvenskan – the network’s offer reflects the diversity and dynamics of women’s sport. To follow AWSN’s progress and access its live programming, viewers can tune into the platform’s appropriate streams or visit AWSN.television.