By Gavin Boyle
Streaming platform Fubo revealed it is still interested in releasing a comprehensive sports streaming bundle despite being acquired by Disney earlier this year.
“We are working hard to secure content from non-Disney programmers for the new service,” said Fubo CEO David Gandler, per Variety. “It is critical for Fubo subscribers that we are able to negotiate content licensing agreements at fair rates and terms. Our goal remains to launch the service for the fall sports season.”
A comprehensive sports streaming bundle has been touted as the holy grail of streaming as live sports continues to be the most popular programming around. In 2024, Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery attempted to create a platform to achieve this product, but they were blocked from doing so by Fubo after an investigation from the FTC found there was merit to the company’s claim that this new platform would be in violation of anti-monopoly laws.
In January 2025, Disney acquired a majority stake in Fubo to kill the lawsuit, though the joint streaming venture, Venu, was still scrapped. Instead, Disney plans on combining Fubo with its Hulu + Live Sports venture to achieve the same product. That merge, however, is not expected to go through until 2026, leaving a nearly two-year window Fubo is now looking to fill on its own.
Related: Disney Merges Hulu+ Live TV With Fubo to End Venu Sports Dispute
“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 after the merger was announced. “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.”
Fubo’s ability to form this coveted venture, however, may be foiled by competitors as many other streamers have found great success in their live sports offerings. YouTube TV, for example, has skyrocketed in subscribers since acquiring NFL Sunday Ticket. It seems unlikely it would allow Fubo to encroach on its NFL rights without a fight.
The NBA and MLB are similarly locked down by other streamers, offering few mainstream sports for Fubo to acquire the rights to that are not already streaming. Even legacy companies are losing the fight to maintain access to sports, as Warner Bros. Discovery was locked out of basketball after having access to the league for 30 years. Thus, Fubo may try to make a sports streamer, but it remains unseen if it will be successful in doing so, especially before merging with Disney.
Read Next: How Disney, Fox and WBD Will Enter Sports Streaming Without Venu
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