Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery call off plans to launch Venu sports streaming service
- Venu Sports faced numerous legal challenges, leading to its cancellation before launch.
- The service was meant to combine sports offerings from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
- The decision to abort the project reflects the difficulty of launching new media collaboration in a competitive market.
In the United States, Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery have officially canceled plans for their Venu Sports streaming service, which was first announced in February 2024. The companies issued a joint statement announcing their decision on January 10, 2025, after a series of legal challenges and competitive concerns hindered the service's launch. The planned streaming service aimed to combine the live sports content from all three media giants but faced significant pushback from rivals and legal hurdles. The decision comes as the market changes and companies reassess their strategies in offering sports content directly to consumers. The Venu Sports service was envisioned as a relatively inexpensive option for sports fans seeking a slimmed-down bundle of channels compared to traditional cable packages. However, the venture faced an antitrust lawsuit initiated by Fubo TV, which claimed the partnership would reduce competition among providers. In light of the lawsuit, a judge temporarily blocked the service's launch, agreeing with the concerns that the collaboration would restrict trade and lessen consumer choice. Therefore, the three companies diverted their focus to existing products and distribution channels, prioritizing their individual streaming strategies. Disney has chosen to pivot towards launching its own ESPN-focused direct-to-consumer streaming service, titled