Disney Merges Hulu+ Live TV With Fubo to End Venu Sports Dispute
By Movieguide® Contributor
After Fubo blocked the launch of Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD)’s sports streamer Venu, the parties’ dispute ended after Fubo announced a partnership with Disney earlier this week.
Disney will merge its Hulu+ Live TV service with Fubo, NBC News said.
“This combination enables us to deliver on our promise to provide consumers with greater choice and flexibility…” said Fubo CEO David Gandler. “Additionally, this agreement allows us to scale effectively, strengthens Fubo’s balance sheet and positions us for positive cash flow.”
Fubo will continue to operate separately from Disney, offering services on its distinct platform rather than being rolled into Hulu or Disney+, though Disney will now hold a 70% stake in the company. The companies hope this partnership will allow them to be more competitive against industry leader YouTube TV, which holds the lion’s share of the market for internet-based cable plans.
“This combination will allow both Hulu + Live TV and Fubo to enhance and expand their virtual MVPD offerings and provide consumers with even more choice and flexibility,” said Justin Warbrooke, the executive vice president and head of corporate development at Disney. “We have confidence in the Fubo management team and their ability to grow the business, delivering high-quality offerings that serve subscribers with the content they want and offering great value.”
The merger also clears the way for Venu, the sports streaming bundle proposed by Disney, Fox and WBD, to launch as Fubo had been leading an antitrust lawsuit that blocked the platform from launching during its intended timeframe last fall. With this barrier gone, Venu will likely launch sometime in 2025.
READ MORE: FUBO-VENU SPORTS LEGAL BATTLE RAGES — HERE’S THE LATEST
Venu will likely be an immediate success as the three companies own a majority of live sports rights, allowing them to offer an experience on a scale not yet achieved. This was the heart of Fubo’s lawsuit as the company explained Disney, Fox and WBD provide over 50% of all sports streams, a number no competitor could match.
While Fubo will no longer be leading the charge on the lawsuit, it is possible that another streamer, like YouTube TV, could pick it up to block a major competitor from popping up.
READ MORE: WILL VENU SPORTS EVER LAUNCH? HERE’S WHERE THE LEGAL BATTLE IS AT
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