Keanu Reeves Joins Samsung TV Plus for Free Moto Racing Show
Samsung TV Plus has just crossed a major milestone—100 million monthly users worldwide.
The free‑streaming platform is growing rapidly by adding sports and live events, giving viewers an alternative to the subscription‑heavy streaming landscape.
New Series: Hooligans: The ARCH Racing Project
On July 12 Samsung will launch a six‑episode series titled Hooligans: The ARCH Racing Project.
The show follows Keanu Reeves and his racing partner, Gard Hollinger, as they compete in MotoAmerica—a professional motorcycle circuit.
It aims to attract audiences the way Netflix’s Drive to Survive does for Formula One.
MotoAmerica Rights Secured
Samsung has secured rights to broadcast MotoAmerica races in 2026 and 2027 on a dedicated FAST channel.
The league hosts roughly a dozen multi‑day races each year, providing ample action for fans.
Competitors Follow the Same Path
Other free‑streaming services are adopting similar strategies:
- Roku streams Major League Baseball and the X‑Games.
- Tubi simulcasted recent World Cup matches and will air the 2025 Super Bowl.
Samsung’s VP of content, Takashi Nakano, notes that the company began with minor‑league baseball in 2024 and saw steady engagement growth.
Why Partner with Keanu Reeves?
Nakano explained that Reeves is a passionate motorbike fan.
Reeves and Hollinger built an engine in Southern California, formed a team called ARCH Racing, and wanted to document their first season. Samsung offered to tell the story, allowing viewers to experience the highs and lows of racing—from intense speed to potential crashes.
Content Strategy: Linear Programming
Samsung employs linear programming to guide viewers from one show to the next.
The platform emphasizes lead‑in and lead‑out content, hoping that watching a live race will naturally draw people to other programs.
Nakano describes this approach as an art that requires a skilled team.
Balancing Free Streaming with User Experience
Samsung ensures the app’s presence on a TV’s home screen is clear but not intrusive.
The goal is to keep the experience smooth for traditional pay‑TV customers while still promoting its own content.
