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Disney’s Hulu + Live TV is merging with Fubo to create one of the biggest streaming services in the US. The two rival streaming multichannel video platforms have reached a surprise deal to join forces, which was announced on January 6, 2025.
The Walt Disney Company will own 70% of the joint venture, while Fubo’s team, led by CEO and co-founder David Gandler, will handle the operations. Together, the two platforms have 6.2 million subscribers, giving them a better chance to compete in the growing live TV streaming market.
This makes the combined service the second-largest pay TV provider in the country, second only to YouTube TV, which has around 8 million subscribers. The deal is going to shake up the competition in the streaming market, as the joint venture goes head-to-head with YouTube TV.
The Walt Disney Company’s Hulu + Live TV to merge with Fubo
The deal between The Walt Disney Company and Fubo is expected to be completed in 12-18 months. It will keep Hulu + Live TV and Fubo as separate services. Hulu will stay a part of Disney’s streaming bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+, while Fubo will focus on live sports.
Fubo will also handle deals with channels independently, giving them more flexibility to offer sports and entertainment options. The company will be traded publicly under the name, Fubo, despite Disney having a majority stake.
While the deal gives more choices to sports fans, it might lead to higher prices for streaming services. Experts say prices for live TV and on-demand streaming will keep going up, and the market will keep getting complicated.
Notably, the agreement does not include the Hulu Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) service and only includes the Virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (vVMPD), i.e. live TV.
Announcing the deal, David Gandler highlighted Hulu and Fubo will continue to focus on distinct content. He said in his official statement:
“I think we want to really focus on providing consumers with choice, and the Hulu product is really focused on providing a full entertainment bundle of sports news and entertainment, and Fubo will continue to focus on its sports-first service, with the ability to launch skinnier sports bundles.”
Hulu + Live TV and Fubo’s merger paves the way for Venu Sports
This merger also ends a legal battle between Fubo and Venu Sports, a sports streaming service backed by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Venu was supposed to be launched in August 2024; however, Fubo sued the parent companies to stop its launch, claiming its arrival would hurt competition.
The merger now allows Venu Sports to move forward, as Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery will pay Fubo $220 million as part of the agreement. Disney will also loan Fubo an amount of $145 million to help with future plans.
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Venu will offer sports like the NFL, NBA, and MLB for $42.99 a month. Viewers will also be able to access new bundles featuring Disney’s ABC and ESPN channels. With the announcement of the deal, Fubo’s share prices increased by over 200% on January 6, 2025.
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