(Reuters) -Comcast’s NBCUniversal will launch NBC Sports Network, or NBCSN cable channel, on November 17, the company said on Thursday, ahead of its planned spin-off of most of the cable networks.

Many sports fans still rely on traditional cable TV for the shared experience at scheduled times, even as the media industry is grappling with consumers shifting to streaming platforms.

This new launch reinforces NBCUniversal’s linear strategy, as the company aims to tap entrenched pay-TV audiences and expand sports content distribution.

Comcast is in the process of spinning off its NBCUniversal cable channels, including USA Network and CNBC, into a new company called Versant early next year.

The previous iteration of NBCSN was shut down in 2021.

The new launch, first announced last month in

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