The long-discussed streaming service collaboration between Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox has been officially shelved. Known as Venu, the ambitious project aimed to unite sports programming from ESPN, Fox Sports, and TNT Sports under a single subscription.
The Rise and Fall of Venu
Announced in February 2024, Venu was positioned as a game-changing entrant in the streaming market. It was designed to offer sports fans a centralized platform featuring content from the three media giants, along with limited entertainment and news options.
Priced at $42.99 per month, Venu would have been available through either a standalone subscription or bundled with platforms like Disney+, Hulu, Max, Tubi, or ESPN+.
Pete Distad, a former Apple executive, was tapped to lead the project as CEO, lending the venture significant industry expertise. However, despite its promising concept, Venu faced significant challenges that would ultimately derail its launch.
Legal Hurdles
By the summer of 2024, Venu’s launch was postponed indefinitely due to legal entanglements. In August, FuboTV, a competing sports streaming platform, filed an antitrust lawsuit against Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox, arguing that the companies were unfairly hoarding sports rights for their own streaming service.
This legal dispute culminated in a federal judge issuing a preliminary injunction, effectively barring Venu from moving forward. FuboTV’s grievances stemmed from its inability to secure the same limited channel package the media giants had allocated for Venu, intensifying the competitive tensions.
Settlement and Decision to Cancel
In January 2025, the antitrust lawsuit was resolved as part of a broader agreement. FuboTV merged with Hulu’s Live TV service, with Disney emerging as the majority stakeholder, holding a 70% share in the newly combined entity.
Yesterday, however, DirecTV and Dish reignited antitrust concerns, arguing that the idea behind Venu could still pose a threat to the live pay TV market.
Now, one day later, Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox have issued a joint statement confirming that Venu will not proceed.
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.
The cancellation of Venu comes amid heightened competition in the streaming space. The joint venture was seen as a bold attempt to unify sports streaming, but its demise highlights the complex dynamics of legal, financial, and strategic considerations in the industry.
The decision leaves fans wondering whether a unified sports streaming service can ever be realized or if the industry will remain fragmented as major players focus on their existing platforms.
Would you have subscribed to Venu?
