Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery have cancelled plans to launch their sports streaming service, Venu. The companies had initially announced the project in February, aiming to combine the live sports assets of Fox, WBD, and Disney-owned ESPN.
However, the joint venture faced several hurdles, including a legal challenge from internet TV bundler Fubo, which claimed the platform would be anticompetitive. After Fubo agreed to settle with Disney over Venu, the companies had hoped to move forward with the project.
But a recent court ruling raised questions about the legality of cable bundling, prompting Disney to strike a deal with Fubo and ultimately forcing the three companies to abandon their plans for Venu. Instead, Disney is focusing on its existing streaming services, including ESPN’s flagship service, which is set to launch in August 2025.
The decision not to launch Venu comes as Warner Bros. Discovery relies heavily on negotiated bundled carriage agreements for its cable networks, while Disney aims to package its own channels into so-called skinny bundles. This concept was the driving force behind Venu, but it appears that the company has shifted its focus elsewhere.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/10/disney-fox-and-warner-bros-discovery-call-off-plans-to-launch-venu-sports-streaming-service.html