This Streaming TV Announcement Is a Big Setback for Sports Fans – Technologist
I have some bad news for sports fans who have been holding out for a more affordable live streaming TV option.
The much-anticipated launch of the Venu Sports streaming service is not happening.
It was announced on January 10, 2025 that the joint venture between Disney-owned ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery would be discontinued effective immediately.
The news comes just days after Disney announced that it was acquiring a controlling stake in Fubo and will combine its operations with Hulu + Live TV.
Fubo, which is a live TV service known for carrying many sports channels, previously sued the parties behind Venu Sports on claims of anti-competitive practices. This litigation halted the proposed Fall 2024 launch of Venu, which was going to offer many of the top live channels for sports for just $42.99 per month.
Disney’s acquisition of Fubo ended all active legal disputes between the two, but apparently did not provide the companies behind Venu with the necessary confidence to move forward with their arrangement.
ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery released the following joint statement on the decision to discontinue the service:
“After careful consideration, we have collectively agreed to discontinue the Venu Sports joint venture and not launch the streaming service. In an ever-changing marketplace, we determined that it was best to meet the evolving demands of sports fans by focusing on existing products and distribution channels. We are proud of the work that has been done on Venu to date and grateful to the Venu staff, whom we will support through this transition period.”
What Was Venu Sports?
Venu Sports was supposed to be an innovative sports-only streaming joint venture between Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery and ESPN.
This trio is responsible for a large percentage of the live broadcasts you may see on traditional cable or live TV streaming services.
Venu promised to provide access to 14 live sports channels and an expansive library of on-demand content from the collective companies’ portfolios of sports networks and ESPN+ for just $42.99 per month. This is approximately half of the monthly cost for subscriptions to services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM.
The list of channels that were to be included were:
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- SEC Network
- ACC Network
- ESPNEWS
- ABC
- FOX
- FS1
- FS2
- Big Ten Network
- TNT
- TBS
- truTV
The subscription also was set to provide access to live sports via the ESPN+ streaming service.
It was “almost perfect” for sports fans. But there were some holes in the content plan.
It did NOT include content from CBS Sports and NBC Sports, which are two big competitors in the sports space. Nor did it include access to Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), which are the home for in-market telecasts for most NBA, MLB and NHL teams.
What Could Be Coming Next?
We’re only left to speculate what could be next for sports fans hoping to both simplify their streaming TV strategy and lower their bills in the process.
It’s previously been reported that ESPN is in the process of building out its own sports-only streaming subscription to offer more than what people receive with the ESPN+ product.
Presumably, that includes access to live broadcasts of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network and other Disney-owned sports products.
It is possible that Disney’s acquisition of Fubo could aid ESPN’s efforts in building a more robust sports-only streaming service without the direct help of FOX or Warner Bros. Discovery. Fubo brings streaming rights to many RSNs to the table, for example.
Unfortunately, many sports fans are stuck paying $80 or more per month to get live streaming access to many of the games they desire in the meantime.
Hey sports fans: We’d love to hear how you are keeping your streaming TV bills in check while still catching all the live games you want to watch. Let us know about your strategies in the Clark.com community!
The post This Streaming TV Announcement Is a Big Setback for Sports Fans appeared first on Clark Howard.
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Azeem Rajpoot, the author behind Technolo Gist, is a passionate tech enthusiast with a keen interest in exploring and sharing insights about the rapidly evolving world of technology. With a background in Technologist, Azeem brings a unique perspective to the blog, offering in-depth analyses, reviews, and thought-provoking articles. Committed to making technology accessible to all, Azeem strives to deliver content that not only keeps readers informed about the latest trends but also sparks curiosity and discussions. Follow Azeem on this exciting tech journey to stay updated and inspired.