If you thought Disney was finished expanding its empire after acquiring 20th Century Fox, think again.
The House of Mouse is making another assertive play—this time in the rapidly evolving world of live streaming. And the target? Fubo, a live-TV streaming platform valued at around $1.16 billion.
This move isn’t just about adding another company to Disney’s portfolio—it’s about reshaping how we watch TV. Fubo is known for its emphasis on live sports, something Disney already dominates with ESPN. With this acquisition, Disney gains more than just another streaming platform—it gets an entire strategy shift.
From Fox to Fubo: A Different Kind of Deal
Back in 2019, Disney’s jaw-dropping $71 billion purchase of 20th Century Fox was all about acquiring legendary IP—The Simpsons, Avatar, and a whole crew of Marvel misfits like the X-Men and Deadpool. That deal was flashy, glamorous, and packed with Hollywood allure.
But this one? It’s tactical.
Instead of grabbing more content, Disney is tightening its grip on distribution. By merging its Hulu + Live TV service with Fubo, Disney is consolidating its hold on the live streaming and sports world. The new venture will operate under the Fubo name but be 70% owned by Disney.
In short: Disney calls the shots.
Why This Matters for Streaming Fans
The numbers here are big. Hulu + Live TV already has around 4.6 million subscribers. Fubo adds another 1.6 million, bringing the total to over 6.2 million users. That’s a serious player in the MVPD (multichannel video programming distributor) game.
It also means that competition in the live-TV space just took a hit. With fewer standalone players in the market, Disney can better control pricing and package offerings—especially when it comes to sports, one of the last real drivers of live viewership.
And with ESPN’s future as a direct-to-consumer service still looming, this acquisition could provide the perfect testing ground for what comes next.
The Fubo Angle
Fubo gets to keep its name, branding, and leadership, including CEO David Gandler. It’ll operate semi-independently, but with Disney at the helm. That means Fubo retains its identity but gains access to Disney’s deep library and broadcast power, including ESPN, ABC, and even ESPN+ through a new Sports & Broadcast tier.
Plus, there’s some juicy backstory. Fubo had previously sued Disney (along with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery) over the failed Venu sports joint venture. But after that deal collapsed, Disney and Fubo struck this surprising partnership instead. Business, as always, finds a way.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t a nostalgia-fueled content grab—it’s a future-facing power play. Disney knows the battleground for eyeballs is shifting, and live TV remains a critical foothold. With this deal, they’re not just staying in the game—they’re rigging the board.
Disney now owns 70% of a company that was once considered a competitor. And with a combined value north of $1.5 billion for this new streaming titan, it’s clear: the future of streaming belongs to whoever holds the remote—and Disney just grabbed it.
