ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery to launch joint sports streaming platform

[BrianLo]

I wonder if this will be the long term final nail in the Hulu branding coffin. I know it says that "Hulu" would continue to be used, but I can't help but feel this is the next step on the eventual end of the Hulu name.

Especially because Fubo is a brand in Canada and Hulu still is not.

I think more likely Hulu becomes the US adult streaming content "brand label" and Fubo becomes the SVOD service. Hulu Live is squeezed out of identity as it's kind of confusing for the consumer otherwise.

I anticipate the ability to subscribe to Hulu separately from D+ goes away this year (next Fall's price hike) once the deal is settled. You may still be able to add D+ sans Hulu for another year or two.

 

[BrianLo]

This has gotten absolutely no play based on this threads length, because it's mostly a matter of sports and this forum really doesn't identify with that portion of the company by and large. But this is a super interesting development all around. I kind of wondered how they were going to navigate around this lawsuit and buying out the company (for relative peanuts) honestly seems like a good idea compared to the lawyer fees.

It's kind of bemusing and a let's throw money at them situation to the extreme.

It also smartly keeps the company at arms length from going more into linear.

 

[Disney Irish]

This has gotten absolutely no play based on this threads length, because it's mostly a matter of sports and this forum really doesn't identify with that portion of the company by and large. But this is a super interesting development all around. I kind of wondered how they were going to navigate around this lawsuit and buying out the company (for relative peanuts) honestly seems like a good idea compared to the lawyer fees.

It's kind of bemusing and a let's throw money at them situation to the extreme.

It also smartly keeps the company at arms length from going more into linear.

I sort of suspect that Fubo also has been looking for a buyer anyways as they've been going up against the likes of Youtube Live and Sling and getting killed. And Venu would have killed them off, hence the lawsuit. So it was a win/win for both.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Tubi Hits 97M Monthly Users And 10B Annual Streaming Hours

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deadline.com

Disney Bolsters Live-Event Advertising Efforts, Unveiling Key Partnerships And Certification Program

Disney is boosting its advertising capabilities for live events, setting partnerships and introducing a certification program.

deadline.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

Disney’s Hulu + Live TV, Fubo Merger Surprised Wall Street and Could Lead to More Deals

The launch of sports streamer Venu, "and potentially new packages from Fubo, appears to be an important strategic lever to cast a wider net and catch all potential subscribers," says one Disney analyst.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[MisterPenguin]

Despite Disney’s Surprise Fubo Deal, DirecTV and Dish Signal They May Hold Up Venu Launch

The pay TV distributors raised a red flag to a U.S. district judge over a bid to dismiss an earlier injunction against the sports streamer after a surprise merger of Disney’s Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[DCBaker]

ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery have decided not to move forward with Venu Sports:

“After careful consideration, we have collectively agreed to discontinue the Venu Sports joint venture and not launch the streaming service. In an ever-changing marketplace, we determined that it was best to meet the evolving demands of sports fans by focusing on existing products and distribution channels. We are proud of the work that has been done on Venu to date and grateful to the Venu staff, whom we will support through this transition period.”

Venu Sports Will Be Discontinued

Venu Sports, the proposed virtual MVPD service from ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery, will be discontinued.

espnpressroom.com

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

Oh that sucks

 

[Disney Irish]

ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery have decided not to move forward with Venu Sports:

“After careful consideration, we have collectively agreed to discontinue the Venu Sports joint venture and not launch the streaming service. In an ever-changing marketplace, we determined that it was best to meet the evolving demands of sports fans by focusing on existing products and distribution channels. We are proud of the work that has been done on Venu to date and grateful to the Venu staff, whom we will support through this transition period.”

Venu Sports Will Be Discontinued

Venu Sports, the proposed virtual MVPD service from ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery, will be discontinued.

espnpressroom.com

Sort of makes sense after the Fubo merger. Disney will be going it alone on that front.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Disney, Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery Scrap Venu Sports Streamer

Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery canceled plans to launch Venu, an ambitious bundled sports streaming service.

variety.com