New sports streaming - Venu (Fox/Disney/WarnerBros)

[Rob5091]

Jan 6 2025
https://www.reuters.com/business/me...-into-fubo-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-01-06/

Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), said on Monday it would merge its Hulu + Live TV business with smaller rival FuboTV (FUBO.N), removing a significant hurdle to the launch of its sports streaming venture with Fox Corp (FOXA.O) and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O). ...As part of the agreement, Fubo, a sports live-streaming service, asked the U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Monday to dismiss its lawsuit against Venu Sports, the streaming service planned by Disney, Fox and Warner Bros Discovery. Under the litigation settlement, the companies will pay Fubo $220 million in cash, with Disney also committing to a $145 million term loan for Fubo in 2026.

Aug 1 2024
https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/ve...-disney-fox-warner-bros-discovery-1236092585/

Venu, the streaming joint venture backed by Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery and built around the sports offerings of all three companies, will launch with an initial price tag of $42.99 per month.

The three companies have been working to build the site’s technology and consumer experience in recent months, but the launch of Venu remains subject to regulatory approvals and the finalization of definitive agreements amongst the parties. The companies envision making the service available via an app, but also expect to distribute it in bundles that could involve Disney+, Hulu or Max.

 

[jmdirt]

Too much $$

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Too much $$

Right? At $43/month I don't even care what this package would include, it's just way too much for my budget.

 

[Rob5091]

I'd guess that the $42.99/month offer is the complete package and smaller cheaper offers will be available.

 

[Rob5091]

Nobody seems to want to miss out, so it seems a bit of everything will be offered
https://www.msn.com/en-ae/money/com...e-s-streaming-headache-even-worse/ar-AA1xbCbv

Disney's fear of not getting sports streaming right is making the whole marketplace confusing for viewers. ...Disney's ESPN is also set to launch a flagship streaming platform this fall with content from all its networks. The sports broadcaster has a smaller service as well, ESPN+, with niche sports, some of which are now available for no extra charge on Disney+.

One simple reason Disney is giving sports fans a bevy of options across price points is that it doesn't know exactly what they'll want.

It's unclear whether this fast-changing media market can support ESPN's flagship streamer and Venu, in addition to other pay-TV services.

 

[Rob5091]

The bettings on for a WarnerBros & Comcast merger of some sort -
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/b...er-mania-2025-analyst-predictions-1236090562/

“We think both WBD and Paramount Global would evaluate selling off their cable networks for the right price. We still think Warner Bros. Discovery’s large cable portfolio would make the most natural dancing partner for SpinCo, by a significant margin.”

 

[Rob5091]

Well, it seems it aint gonna happen folks -Yahoo news

Fox, Disney and WBD decided they would scrap the joint venture and focus on existing products and distribution channels.

Why? Legal problems -

Despite pouring at least $400 million each into Venu — and reaching a $220 million settlement with Fubo to clear the path for the service’s launch... The risk of further litigation from DirecTV and Dish Network parent EchoStar, who revealed on Thursday they were evaluating their options in response to the settlement, also played a role in the decision, an individual familiar with the matter told TheWrap.

But! Hold your horses because when one project goes puff! another starts,

Following Venu’s death, DirecTV said it looked forward to working with programming partners to “compete on a level playing field to deliver sports fans more choice, control and value all-in-one experience.” And on Tuesday, it unveiled its own sports-centric skinny bundle: MySports.

 

[Rob5091]

Cards being kept very close to the chest ...Comcast CEO speaks,
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/b...warner-bros-discovery-comcast-ceo-1235806791/

Brian Roberts poured water on speculation that his media company will merge with Warner Bros. Discovery.

As mergers and acquisitions talk continues to dominate the media sector, Comcast CEO and chairman Brian Roberts has discounted deal speculation surrounding NBCUniversal.
More recently, M&A chatter has turned to Comcast looking to buy Warner Bros. Discovery and merge it with Universal Studios. And Paramount Global, controlled by mogul Shari Redstone and run by CEO Bob Bakish, is also speculated to be seeking buyers for all or parts of its assets.

 

[Rob5091]

DirecTV Mysports new (beta!) streaming for those in (certain parts of ) the USA (includes TNT but at a hefty price)
https://streamtv.directv.com/mysports/

 

[Unchained]

DirecTV Mysports new (beta!) streaming for those in (certain parts of ) the USA (includes TNT but at a hefty price)
https://streamtv.directv.com/mysports/

Waaat! $49.99 3 month teaser price and then $69.99 per month.. Do you get a coupon or auto delivery for a 12 pack and a pizza for that price!!!

 

[Rob5091]

Waaat! $49.99 3 month teaser price and then $69.99 per month.. Do you get a coupon or auto delivery for a 12 pack and a pizza for that price!!!

That's why I wrote hefty!

 

[BigCoward]

Eurosport in UK has lost all cycling. I'm not paying £30 a month so that's me done. Other than tdf highlights on one of the terrestrial channels.

 

[Rob5091]

Why Venu ended up in the trash - Disney CEO Bob Iger gives us the lowdown and what's coming in the near future - (skinny bundles? Yep!)
https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/why-disney-scrapped-sports-streaming-service-venu.html

“Look, what essentially happened is, after the decision was made and we started to implement the launch of Venu, the emergence of these skinnier bundles surfaced, and Venu basically looked redundant to us. And so this was a great opportunity for us to make ESPN available on multiple skinny bundles,” Iger said.

https://www.thewrap.com/venu-why-disney-backed-out/

At the moment, the company is leaning into the development of Flagship, the current name of ESPN’s standalone streaming offering. Iger noted the streamer will feature “some combination” of betting and fantasy along with a “high degree of customization and personalization” and more programming than ESPN’s linear channels currently offer. The plan is for the streamer to launch in the fall of this year.

“We’re actually quite excited about it because, first of all, it gives us an opportunity to bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu, and we will get really smart and strategic about pricing there. But it gives consumers the option of basically just staying in a sports-only experience or combining it with their other services,” Iger said.

The longtime Disney head also used the earning call to take a veiled shot at Netflix, noting that other streamers have recently entered the live sports arena.

Sounds like Disney might be on to a winner.