In a surprising twist in the streaming wars, Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox have officially abandoned their ambitious plan to launch Venu, a sports-focused streaming service.
First announced in February 2024, the joint venture was envisioned as a game-changer in live sports streaming, consolidating sports content from ESPN, Fox Sports, and TNT Sports under one platform.
What Was Venu?
Venu aimed to provide sports fans with a single subscription service offering games and events broadcast by the three entertainment giants. The service would have included limited entertainment and news content and was planned to launch via both a standalone subscription for $42.99 per month and bundled with platforms like Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Tubi, or Max.
Led by former Apple executive Pete Distad, Venu promised to be a convenient hub for sports enthusiasts navigating the fragmented world of streaming services. But despite its promising concept, the platform faced significant hurdles.
Legal Challenges and Delays
The venture’s fate took a turn in August 2024 when a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking its launch. The injunction stemmed from an antitrust lawsuit filed by FuboTV, which argued that the three companies were unfairly leveraging their control over key sports rights.
FuboTV, a sports-centric streaming service, had previously failed to negotiate a deal to include the same limited set of channels the companies reserved for Venu. This legal dispute not only delayed the launch but also cast doubt on the venture’s viability.
In January 2025, the lawsuit was settled as part of a merger between FuboTV and Hulu’s Live TV service. Disney emerged as the majority stakeholder in the combined entity, holding a 70% share, while FuboTV accepted a $220 million settlement.
The Official End of Venu
Shortly after the settlement, Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox issued a joint statement confirming Venu’s cancellation (via The Hollywood Reporter):
“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.”
This decision came just as DirecTV and Dish requested a federal judge to reconsider FuboTV’s original case, warning that Venu could have monopolized the future of live pay TV.
What’s Next for Sports Streaming?
The end of Venu highlights the challenges of navigating the competitive streaming landscape, especially in the live sports market. While the idea of a consolidated sports streaming service appealed to fans, legal and market complexities proved insurmountable.
With Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox choosing to focus on their existing platforms, sports fans will just need to imagine what could have been.
Do you think Venu could have revolutionized sports streaming?
