Everything We Know About Venu Sports Today
Sports fans, a new player has entered the streaming arena—Venu Sports, a shiny new service promising to deliver games and tournaments at an affordable price. But just as it was gearing up for its big debut, Fubo threw a flag on the play, filing an antitrust lawsuit that’s caused quite the delay. With legal battles now hindering its launch, the future of Venu Sports is unknown. Let’s dive into the drama behind this streaming showdown.
What is Venu Sports?
Venu Sports is a new sports streaming service owned and operated by ESPN, FOX, and Warner Bros. Discovery. When (or if) it launches, it will deliver live and on-demand coverage across various sports, including football, basketball, tennis, hockey, and college sports. For $43 per month, subscribers can access live TV channels, like ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, FOX, Fox Sports (FS1), TNT, TBS, and more.
Venu Sports was to launch “in the fall,” but there were rumors it would be as early as the end of August 2024—ahead of the NFL season—that is, until Fubo came along and crashed the party.
Why did Fubo file an antitrust lawsuit against Venu Sports?
In February 2024, soon after Venu Sports made itself known to the world, Fubo filed an antitrust lawsuit.
As a response, ESPN released a statement saying, “Venu Sports is a pro-competitive option that aims to enhance consumer choice by reaching a segment of viewers who currently are not served by existing subscription options.”
For years, Fubo has been known as the sports streaming service in the TV industry and has been working to maintain that title. So much so that Fubo has been trying to offer a sports-only streaming service, but companies have halted their endeavors. Which companies, you might ask? Well, ESPN, FOX, and Warner Bros. Discovery, of course.
Looking for the hottest entertainment?
Subscribe to CableTV.com’s email newsletter for the latest TV event viewing guides, entertaining takes, and money-saving promotions.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions.
So, Fubo filed an antitrust lawsuit against Venu Sports because it believes the companies behind Venu restricted access to key sports broadcasting rights, thereby offering an incomplete sports package, to limit its competition in the sports streaming market.
Let’s give you an idea of where Fubo’s head is at. Fubo’s best sports package is $90 per month, and while it does offer many popular sports channels, it doesn’t include Warner Bros. channels like TNT, TBS, and truTV. Venu Sports would offer Warner Bros. sports channels, Disney’s sports channels (ESPN, ESPN2, etc.), FOX sports channels, and ESPN+ for $43 per month.
What is Venu Sports’ future now that a judge temporarily blocked it from launching?
ESPN will be appealing the antitrust lawsuit filed by Fubo, but Venu Sports’ future looks shaky. According to ESPN, United States District Judge Margaret M. Garnette said Fubo is likely to be successful in proving that the joint venture of Venu Sports between ESPN, FOX, and Warner Bros. would violate antitrust laws.
As a sports fan, it’s a pain in the butt that there isn’t one streaming service that houses TNT, TBS, truTV, NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and, well, you get the gist. In the meantime, we’ll have to manage over two subscriptions until a company finally creates a better solution.
