Fubo has recently unveiled an innovative sports streaming solution designed to cater to sports enthusiasts seeking affordable options.
Fubo Launches Affordable Sports Bundle
Pay-TV provider Fubo has introduced a skinny sports bundle aimed at delivering a variety of programming for sports enthusiasts at an affordable price.
Launch Details
Starting September 2, Fubo Sports will feature over 20 broadcast and sports-focused networks, providing extensive national and local coverage for both college and professional sports. The service will initially be available in select markets before expanding further.
Pricing Structure
The subscription will cost $55.99 per month, with a $10 discount for the first month. This pricing is significantly lower than traditional pay-TV packages like YouTube TV, which charges $82.99 monthly. However, it is $15 more than a recent competitor bundle from ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service and Fox One.
Fubo’s Background and Legal Challenges
Founded a decade ago as a sports-centric platform, Fubo has long aimed to develop a lean sports bundle but faced challenges from larger competitors. In 2024, Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery attempted to launch a joint venture, Venu Sports, which was halted by an antitrust lawsuit from Fubo.
Fubo alleged that these media giants compelled it to include non-sports networks, inflating its bundle and raising costs, thus undermining its competitive stance and paving the way for Venu. A federal judge ruled in favor of Fubo, leading to a settlement where Disney agreed to acquire majority control of Fubo, with the acquisition expected to finalize next year.
Subscription Benefits
Fubo Sports subscribers will have access to ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer Unlimited plan, including ESPN+, at no additional cost. The package features local broadcast stations owned by ABC, CBS, and Fox, along with affiliates in select markets. Additional channels include the ACC Network, Big 10 Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox News, FS1, FS2, Fubo Sports Network, ION, NFL Network, SEC Network, and Tennis Channel. Some content will also be available in 4K, along with Video on Demand (VOD), Unlimited DVR, and Family Share options.
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Missing Networks and Future Additions
Notably absent from the initial launch is NBCUniversal, which holds significant sports rights, including the NFL, NBA, Premier League, and Olympics. Warner Bros. Discovery is also missing, reflecting a long-standing estrangement from Fubo. The launch announcement hinted at the potential addition of other networks in the future.
Industry Challenges
Creating a comprehensive sports bundle is a daunting task. NBCU initially resisted when DirecTV launched a sports-centric bundle earlier this year, as did CBS parent Paramount, although both later joined. DirecTV’s conflict with Disney in 2024 over carriage renewal underscored tensions between programmers and distributors regarding slimmer, targeted bundles as alternatives to traditional mega-packages. In the age of cord-cutting and direct-to-consumer streaming, distributors argue that enforcing full-price “everything” bundles complicates customer attraction and retention.
Fubo’s Commitment to Consumers
“At Fubo, we have always believed a streaming service must provide consumers with multiple, flexible, and more affordable content options – and that consumers should be able to subscribe to the content they choose,” said Fubo co-founder and CEO David Gandler. “The launch of Fubo Sports will add another content tier to our broad portfolio, super-serving passionate sports fans. With our signature pay-TV streaming service alongside standalone sports offerings, pay-per-view live events, and now Fubo Sports, we will continue to offer consumers multiple competitively-priced content options within the Fubo ecosystem, free of friction.”
