Key Takeaways
- Venu Sports has been facing legal challenges, with a judge blocking its launch over competition concerns.
- Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery plan to appeal and argue their pro-competitive positions.
- If Venu Sports returns, we expect prices to go up like other sports streaming services.
Just two weeks ago, the world officially Venu Sports The joint venture between Disney’s ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox will combine the three companies’ live sports portfolios, including NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB broadcasts, into a single streamer that will cost $43 a month.
But soon this serviceLegal hot water Then on August 16th, a judge ruled against Venu, effectively blocking the launch of Venu later this month. The judge found that the joint venture would “significantly reduce competition and restrain trade,” meaning the service can’t go ahead as planned for now.
Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery said in a joint statement that they would appeal the order, saying in part that “Venu Sports is a pro-competitive option designed to increase consumer choice by reaching audiences not served by existing subscription options.”
So what happens next?
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It might be time to resubscribe to YouTube TV
YouTube TV
- Concurrent Streams
- 3
- Number of Profiles
- 6
- Live TV
- yes
- price
- Starting at $73/month
- Free Trial
- Yes, the length varies
Now, Venu Sports has been blocked from launching altogether, and while the appeals process is ongoing, it’s likely to be several months before a solution is found. In the meantime, sports fans can subscribe to YouTubeTV, which broadcasts every NFL game (except Amazon’s Thursday Night Football and Netflix’s Christmas games) for $72.99 per month. You can also check out other options here.
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If VenuSport were to return, it would be much more expensive.
Pricing is likely to be on par with YouTube TV
Venu
The main complaint surrounding Venu Sports is that it will face less competition from other services like Fubo and YouTube TV, so one theoretical way the service could go to market in the future is to be offered at a much higher price point, in line with other sports-specific services and bundles.
Disney, Warner Bros., Discovery and Fox have not said whether they will pursue this option, but it seems the most likely compromise and would ensure the service could debut in time for the start of the 2025-2026 NFL season next year.
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