Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery Abort Venu Sports Streaming Venture Amid Legal Roadblocks
The trio companies have decided to discontinue their planned sports streaming service, Venu, due to ongoing legal challenges and evolving market dynamics.
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The news that it would not launch came as a shock to Venu employees, who found out late Thursday night, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke anonymously to discuss internal matters.
Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery call off plans to launch Venu sports streaming service
CNBC·4M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
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.
Disney, Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery call off Venu sports streaming service
NBC News·4M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.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.
Why ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery killed their sports streamer before it ever launched
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The abrupt move comes just days after Disney appeared to have removed one legal obstacle to the deal, agreeing to merge the smaller streamer FuboTV – a rival that had sued the media giants over what it said was anti-competitive behavior – with its Hulu Live service.
Disney, Fox and Warner Bros pull plug on Venu sports streamer before launch
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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.
Venu Sports streamer will be shut down
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The decision to terminate Venu comes four days after Disney announced its Hulu + Live TV service would merge with Fubo, ending the latter’s lawsuit that had for months hampered the fraught sports streaming venture’s launch.
Disney, WBD, Fox pull plug on Venu Sports streaming service before launch | Business
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Summary
Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery have officially canceled their joint sports streaming service, Venu, following legal challenges from competitors and market concerns. Initial plans launched in February aimed to consolidate sports assets but faced antitrust scrutiny, particularly from FuboTV, which led to further complications. Despite recently alleviating some legal challenges by merging Hulu + Live TV with Fubo, additional lawsuits from satellite TV providers prompted the decision to abandon the project. Instead, Disney looks to launch an all-ESPN service by August 2025, directing resources away from Venu.
Perspectives
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