Savannah Bananas Take Over Fenway: Roku TV Strategy Grows

The Savannah Bananas, known for their offbeat style and social media savvy, are now taking their unique brand of baseball to television screens. After gaining a huge following on TikTok and selling out stadiums across the country, they’re making their TV debut on Roku. This Sunday, you can catch them facing off against the Firefighters franchise in Fenway Park. The game will be streaming on Roku’s platform, following previous appearances on ESPN, TruTV, and the CW.

Their Saturday game under the shadow of the Green Monster at Fenway will be aired on ESPN, complete with a one-hour pregame show that showcases the Bananas experience. Roku’s head of sports, Joe Franzetta, expressed excitement about the opportunity to bring the Bananas’ unique energy to their massive user base during the July 4th weekend at iconic Fenway Park.

The broadcast team behind Banana Ball is looking to capture the excitement and fan engagement of the live events in their TV broadcasts. Executive producer Ivan Traczuk described their show as a mix of circus and sports, with a production style inspired by MLB broadcasts and YouTube content. They use lightweight cameras to capture player antics on the field and frequently mic up players for in-game banter.

The announcers, or “broadcast entertainers” as they’re known in Bananaland, bring a lively and humorous perspective to the game. Sideline reporters roam the field, giving viewers at home a behind-the-scenes look at the action. The goal is to create a sports broadcast that feels inclusive and engaging for fans watching from home.

Partnering with Roku will give the Bananas even greater exposure, reaching an audience of over 90 million streaming households. The game will be available for free on the Roku Sports Channel, making it easy for viewers to tune in from any device. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Bananas or just curious to see what all the hype is about, this televised game is sure to be unmissable.