Fubo Blocks the Venu Launch – What’s Next For the Sports Streamer?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X.

TV Answer Man, what is the future of Venu now that Fubo has put a block on their launch? Are they done and dead? – Tony, Las Vegas. 

Tony, Venu, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney and Fox, was expected to launch their sports-centric streaming service in the next few weeks at the hefty price of $42.99 a month. However, on Friday (August 16), a New York district judge granted Fubo’s motion for a preliminary injunction against the three-headed streamer, saying Fubo’s argument that it would violate anti-trust laws would likely win in court. Fubo, a multi-channel live streaming service, contends that it would be forced out of business if consumers could subscribe separately to 14 live sports channels such as ESPN, TNT, TBS and Fox via Venu rather than getting a multi-channel service such as Fubo.

So now what? Is Venu dead?

Hardly. As I did when a jury ruled against the NFL in the recent Sunday Ticket class action case, I caution everyone from making premature declarations. Venu is planning to appeal the injunction so this fight is not over. However, there is no doubt that Venu’s launch plans have been derailed at an unfortunate time. The service expected to be available before the start of the NFL season, the MLB playoffs and the start of the 2024 NHL and NBA seasons. But that doesn’t seem possible now.

I expect Venu’s owners will try to persuade an appeals court to lift the injunction. But it’s certainly possible that one if not all three entities will decide to punt following Friday’s decision. Disney has been lining up a standalone ESPN streaming venture for the next year or so and Warner Bros. Discovery already has Max in place. It’s not inconceivable that they will conclude that the individual ventures are a better bet now than investing the time and money on various legal battles. That would leave Fox as the odd man out, but it could finally launch its own separate streamer.

I think we’ll find out in the next month what the three companies plan to do and when. Either way, they will do well financially so the real question is how this plays out for Fubo and other multi-channel live streamers.

Tony, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.