Keanu Reeves Motorcycle Racing Series ‘Hooligans’ Debuts As Samsung TV Plus Revs Up Live Programming
Samsung TV Plus, the popular streaming platform, has reached a milestone of 100 million monthly active users worldwide, marking a significant achievement in the ever-evolving world of streaming.
The platform’s growth can be attributed to its push into sports and live streaming events, offering users free access to a wide range of content at a time when subscription-based streaming services are on the rise.
On Sunday, July 12, Samsung TV Plus will premiere ‘Hooligans: The ARCH Racing Project with Keanu Reeves & Gard Hollinger,’ a six-episode series that follows the motorcycle racing team led by Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger as they compete in the MotoAmerica racing circuit.
The series is expected to generate significant interest, much like the popular ‘Drive to Survive’ series on Netflix, which has become a huge hit among racing fans.
As part of its efforts to expand its live programming offerings, Samsung TV Plus has acquired the rights to broadcast live MotoAmerica races in 2026 and 2027, which will be available on a dedicated FAST channel.
This move is part of a larger trend in the streaming industry, with other companies such as Roku and Fox Corp.’s Tubi also offering live sports and events to their users.
We spoke with Takashi Nakano, VP of content and programming for Samsung TV Plus, to gain insight into the company’s strategy and approach to live programming.
‘We’re not just a streaming service; we’re a television service,’ Nakano explained. ‘We’re using the full scale and scope of Samsung to showcase our content, and we’re seeing great results.’
When asked about the company’s approach to curation, Nakano emphasized the importance of programming and lead-in/lead-out strategy in engaging users and transitioning them from one show to the next.
‘Linear television is where everyone sees the same thing before a show, during a show, and after a show,’ Nakano said. ‘It’s an art to get users transitioning from one show to the next, and I’ve got the best team on the planet to do that.’
In a world where algorithms play a significant role in content discovery, Nakano acknowledged the importance of human curation in creating a engaging and cohesive viewing experience.
‘We’re not just relying on algorithms; we’re using human curation to create a seamless viewing experience that keeps users engaged and coming back for more,’ he said.
As the streaming industry continues to evolve, Samsung TV Plus is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of live programming and content delivery.
