Fubo and Hulu + Live TV Are Merging: What Does That Mean for Streamers? – Technologist

There is a major shakeup in the live TV streaming world for 2025: Fubo and Hulu + Live TV will be joining forces.

Disney (Hulu’s parent company) and Fubo announced on January 6, 2025 that Disney will combine its Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo and become the majority owner of the resulting company.

This major streaming news comes after a drawn out legal battle between Fubo, Disney, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery regarding the proposed launch of an all-sports streaming service called Venu Sports.

This new agreement has closed those legal matters between the businesses and paved a new way forward for all parties.

And it has potentially major implications for streaming customers moving forward. Let’s take a look at what we know so far.

What the Fubo and Hulu + Live TV Deal Means for Streamers in 2025

So, to summarize: Disney is acquiring a majority stake in Fubo and will combine its Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo to create a larger, more robust live TV streaming offering.

But what does that mean for consumers?

We don’t have all of the answers just yet, but here are some key takeaways from the announcement:

1. Both Streaming Services Will Remain Available … For Now

If you’re a customer of either business, your first question was probably: “What does this mean for my subscription?“

While you may be forced to make some changes in the long term, it appears as though it’ll be “business as usual” for you the next time you turn on the TV.

According to the language of the announcement, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV will continue to be available to consumers as separate offerings.

They both will continue to operate separately from Disney, which has its own popular video streaming product in Disney+.

“The combined company will negotiate carriage agreements with content providers for both Hulu + Live TV and Fubo services independently from Disney.”

As things stand, Fubo’s Pro subscription is available for $79.99 per month and includes access to regional sports networks (an additional RSN fee applies for most customers). Hulu + Live TV, which includes access to Hulu’s on-demand library, Disney+ and ESPN+, carries a monthly fee of $82.99 per month.

You can use Team Clark’s Streaming Channel Tool to determine if either of these companies is actually the best option for your household based on the channels you watch most often.

It remains to be seen if this new partnership will result in new package options for either service. But we can hope. For example, it’d be great to see RSNs available on Hulu + Live TV or perhaps a “Disney Bundle” option for Fubo users.

2. Disney Will Own It, but Fubo’s Management Team Will Run It

You may be wondering about who will be calling the shots in this new arrangement. After all, you may prefer one product to the other as they’re currently constructed and may be concerned about decision making going forward.

According to the press release, Disney will be the majority owner of the combined venture, but Fubo’s existing management team will handle the day-to-day operations of both products.

Disney, which already has a controlling stake in Hulu, will own 70% of Fubo.

Fubo’s co-found and CEO David Gandler will operate both the Fubo and Hulu + Live TV businesses.

“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, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Development, The Walt Disney Company. “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.”

3. A New Sports Streaming Service Is Coming After All

Sports fans clearly stand to benefit from this announcement.

The concept that fueled the Venu Sports project, which was the root of disagreement between Fubo and Disney’s content partners back in 2024, may have a chance to survive now that an agreement is in place.

At a minimum, Disney can now use Fubo’s assets to further advance its sports streaming endeavors without fear of litigation.

Per the press release, Disney will be entering a new agreement with Fubo that allows for the creation of a new sports-only service:

“Disney will enter into a new carriage agreement with Fubo that will allow Fubo to create a new Sports & Broadcast service, featuring Disney’s premier sports and broadcast networks including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, as well as ESPN+.”

Details on what that might look like in terms of content offering and pricing have yet to be revealed.

Remember, Venu Sports was reportedly set to launch in Fall 2024 with a monthly ask in the $40 to $45 per month range while providing access to live games from the ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery owned channels. Stay tuned.

Final Thoughts

This is pretty big news in the streaming TV industry.

Fubo and Disney were at odds over sports streaming content, and this transaction will effectively end the legal red tape that was holding up the delivery of a sports-only streaming product to consumers.

With live sports being such an important asset for live TV streaming services looking to retain customers who have been fleeing for cheaper options amid price increases, it makes sense that these companies decided to combine assets and work together.

But will their efforts help streamers access the games they care about at a reasonable monthly price? That remains to be seen.

With Google’s recent price increase for YouTube TV and DirecTV’s premium pricing on its streaming product, sports fans are hurting for a comprehensive cost-effective streaming option. Sling offers smaller bundles with a slightly cheaper monthly cost, but it also recently announced price increases for 2025.

What do you think about Fubo and Hulu + Live TV joining forces? Will this change your streaming TV strategy? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the Clark.com community.

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