For sports fans across America, keeping up with their favorite teams and events can be a juggling act, especially when it comes to locating the right channels. One network that has emerged as a go-to destination is Fox Sports 1 (FS1), providing extensive coverage of major sporting events and original programming. If you’re wondering “What channel is FS1 on my cable or satellite TV?”, this guide will help you locate the channel and understand its offerings.
What is FS1?
Launched on August 17, 2013, FS1 is a national 24-hour multi-sport cable channel owned by Fox Sports Media Group, a subsidiary of Fox Corporation. It replaced the former motorsports network Speed and serves as the flagship channel for Fox Sports, aiming to compete with established networks like ESPN.
FS1 was created to provide a dedicated cable presence for Fox Sports programming, as the company’s sports portfolio continued to grow with acquisitions of major broadcasting rights, including the NFL, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, and MLS throughout the 1990s and 2000s. As Fox’s sports offerings expanded, the need for a dedicated national cable sports channel became apparent to better compete with ESPN.
Programming on FS1
FS1 airs a diverse slate of live sporting events, news, analysis, and original programming, totaling nearly 5,000 hours annually. The channel’s programming lineup includes:
- College sports: Regular season coverage of college basketball and football from conferences like the Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, and Mountain West, as well as the Big East men’s basketball tournament.
- Major League Baseball (MLB): Select League Championship Series, Division Series, and regular season games.
- NASCAR: Sprint Cup Series, XFINITY Series, Camping World Truck Series races, the Sprint All-Star race, and SpeedWeeks events like Daytona 500 Qualifying and practice sessions. FS1 also airs NASCAR-related shows like RaceDay and Race Hub.
- Soccer: Coverage of the FIFA World Cup (Men’s 2022 & 2026, Women’s 2023), CONCACAF Champions League, CONCACAF Gold Cup, Major League Soccer (MLS), and select Liga MX games.
- Combat sports: Premier Boxing Championships (PBC) events, UFC preliminary cards, and shows like UFC Tonight and The Ultimate Fighter.
- Other sports: USGA championships, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Professional Bowlers Association, World Surf League, and the National Hot Rod Association.
- Studio shows: Personality-driven programs like First Things First with Nick Wright, Undisputed with Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Speak for Yourself with Jason Whitlock and Marcellus Wiley, Lock It In with Rachel Bonnetta, and WWE Backstage.
With its diverse programming lineup, FS1 aims to cater to a wide range of sports fans, offering a compelling alternative to ESPN’s dominance in the cable sports landscape.
Finding FS1 on Cable and Satellite Providers
FS1 is carried by all major pay TV distributors in the United States, including cable and satellite providers. However, the channel number for FS1 varies by provider and location. Here are some examples of where to find FS1 on popular TV services:
- DirecTV: Channel 219 (HD)
- Dish Network: Channel 150 (HD)
- Spectrum: Channels 78 (SD), 400 (HD)
- Xfinity Comcast: Channel 857 (HD)
Many providers offer a channel finder tool on their website to locate FS1 based on your specific TV package and location. Simply enter your zip code or address, and the tool will provide the corresponding channel number for FS1 in your area.
Streaming FS1
In addition to traditional cable and satellite TV, FS1 is also available on various streaming services with a paid subscription. These include:
- DirecTV Stream
- FuboTV
- Hulu + Live TV
- Sling TV
- YouTube TV
- Vidgo
Most major TV providers also allow streaming FS1 through their apps with a valid subscription, enabling you to watch the channel on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
The History and Background of FS1
The launch of FS1 in 2013 was a strategic move by Fox Sports to better compete with ESPN and capitalize on the growing demand for live sports programming. However, the roots of Fox Sports Media Group can be traced back to the 1990s when Fox began acquiring major sports broadcasting rights.
In 1994, Fox secured the rights to broadcast National Football League (NFL) games, marking a significant milestone in the network’s sports programming ambitions. This was followed by the acquisition of rights for the National Hockey League (NHL) in the same year, Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1996, NASCAR in 2001, and Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2003.
As Fox’s sports portfolio continued to expand, the need for a dedicated national cable sports channel became increasingly apparent to better compete with ESPN’s dominance in the market. This led to the launch of FS1 in 2013, after Fox acquired rights to events like the FIFA World Cup, UFC, and various college conferences.
In 2017, the Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets further reshaped the Fox Sports Media Group. Under the reorganization, Disney took control of FX Networks and Fox Sports International, while the Fox Corporation retained the rights to FS1 and other news networks under the Fox umbrella.
Today, FS1 continues to be a major player in the cable sports landscape, offering a diverse range of live events, news, and analysis, while striving to provide an alternative to the established dominance of ESPN.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or a casual viewer, knowing what channel FS1 is on your cable or satellite TV can be crucial for staying up-to-date with your favorite teams and events. With its extensive coverage of college sports, MLB, NASCAR, soccer, combat sports, and more, FS1 has solidified its position as a go-to destination for sports enthusiasts.
By utilizing the channel finder tools provided by your TV provider or consulting the channel listings in this article, you can easily locate FS1 and gain access to its diverse programming lineup. Additionally, streaming services like DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV offer convenient alternatives for cord-cutters to enjoy FS1’s offerings.
As the competition in the cable sports landscape intensifies, FS1 remains committed to providing a compelling alternative to ESPN, offering sports fans a diverse range of live events, analysis, and original programming. So, whether you’re tuning in for the big game, catching up on the latest sports news, or indulging in your favorite studio shows, FS1 has something for every sports enthusiast.