Fubo isn’t giving up on its Venu-like sports bundle

Fubo is continuing to work on its Venu-like sports bundle, aiming to launch it for the fall sports season.
The company’s CEO, David Gandler, confirmed that Fubo is negotiating content licensing agreements with broadcasters outside of Disney’s umbrella, but did not provide details on progress.
Fubo’s ideal bundle would offer a comprehensive sports package, similar to the Venu Sports service that was in development last year and backed by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
The company has settled its lawsuit with Disney and other parties involved in Venu Sports, allowing it to move forward with its own sports bundle plans.
Fubo’s success will depend on its ability to secure content at fair rates and terms, as well as competition from other major players like NBCUniversal and Paramount (CBS) in the sports bundle landscape.

Fubo is continuing its quest to cut a deal with sports broadcasters that can bring upon the holy grail of sports bundles later this year, just in time for football season.

As reported by Deadline, Fubo CEO David Gandler said on an earnings call on Friday that the company is working hard to line up content from other broadcasters outside of Disney’s umbrella of sports content. When one analyst asked about how progress is going with a deal, Gandler only said that the service is a key “growth opportunity.”

“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,” Gandler said.

Fubo’s ideal bundle would look a lot like the service that was in development last year called Venu Sports, a joint venture that was backed by Disney (part owner of Hulu), Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Fubo sued to break up the Venu Sports party, alleging it was anticompetitive, but then settled with a $220 million payout from the companies and an agreement with Disney to merge Fubo into the Hulu Plus Live TV service. The deal is not expected to close until 2026.

With the lawsuit out of the way, anything is possible in the sports bundle landscape, including a return of Venu Sports and a new one from Fubo. Other major players like NBCUniversal and Paramount (CBS) will also need to play ball to make the ultimate sports bundle happen.

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Q. What is Fubo’s goal with its new sports bundle?

A. Fubo aims to launch a service that can bring upon the holy grail of sports bundles later this year, just in time for football season.

Q. How is Fubo progressing with its deal negotiations?

A. According to CEO David Gandler, progress is being made, but no specific details were disclosed during an earnings call.

Q. What was Venu Sports, and what happened to it?

A. Venu Sports was a joint venture backed by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery that was in development last year. Fubo sued to break up the partnership, which led to a $220 million payout from the companies and an agreement with Disney.

Q. What is Fubo’s ideal sports bundle looking like?

A. Fubo’s ideal bundle would look similar to Venu Sports, offering content from various broadcasters outside of Disney’s umbrella.

Q. When can we expect Fubo’s new sports bundle to launch?

A. The service is expected to launch for the fall sports season, although no specific date has been announced.

Q. What happened to Fubo after it sued to break up Venu Sports?

A. After settling with the companies involved, Fubo agreed to merge into the Hulu Plus Live TV service as part of a $220 million payout.

Q. Who else needs to play ball in the sports bundle landscape?

A. Other major players like NBCUniversal and Paramount (CBS) will also need to participate in creating the ultimate sports bundle.

Q. When can we expect the deal between Fubo and Disney to close?

A. The deal is not expected to close until 2026, after which time Fubo will be integrated into Hulu Plus Live TV.

Q. What is Fubo’s main priority with its new sports bundle?

A. According to CEO David Gandler, negotiating content licensing agreements at fair rates and terms is critical for Fubo subscribers.

Q. Why is Fubo working hard to create a new sports bundle?

A. The service sees the creation of a comprehensive sports bundle as a key “growth opportunity” for its subscribers.