Disney close to merging Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo: Report

Start the new year off on a strong note by keeping an eye on some exciting potential changes in the streaming world. Walt Disney and FuboTV are in talks to merge their online live TV services, according to a report from Bloomberg News. This collaboration would see Disney integrating its Hulu + Live TV business into FuboTV, with Disney taking a 70% stake and FuboTV holding the remaining 30%.

Following this news, FuboTV’s shares experienced a significant boost, climbing nearly 32% to $1.90 in premarket trading. This positive development comes after a challenging year for FuboTV, which saw a decline in its shares due to slower revenue growth and increased competition in the market.

As part of the potential merger, FuboTV plans to drop its legal disputes against Disney, Fox Corp, and Warner Bros Discovery related to their sports streaming platform, Venu Sports. These legal conflicts had previously hindered the launch of Venu, but it seems that clearing this obstacle could pave the way for a successful rollout.

It’s important to note that the deal between Disney and FuboTV does not include Hulu’s subscription video streaming service. While Hulu offers an extensive library of on-demand content, Hulu + Live TV provides access to over 90 live TV channels, including content from Disney+ and ESPN+.

Currently, Hulu provides two main subscription options: an ad-supported plan that includes Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ for $82.99 per month, and a “Live TV Only” option priced at $81.99 per month, which does not include access to the streaming libraries of Disney+ and ESPN+.

This potential collaboration between Disney and FuboTV showcases the ever-evolving landscape of the streaming industry and could lead to exciting new developments for viewers in the future. Stay tuned for further updates as this story continues to unfold.