Hey cord-cutters listen up! If you are a Fubo subscriber or thinking about jumping on the Fubo bandwagon things just got a little… different. Fubo the streaming service known for its sports focus has been making some moves and we are here to break it all down for you. Buckle up because it's a bit of a rollercoaster.
R.I.P. Fubo Essential Plan: Cheapest Option Disappears Just Months After Launch
Remember Fubo's "Essential" plan? It was the one they rolled out back in December that was supposed to be a cheaper way to get Fubo without those pricey regional sports channels. Well scratch that plan because it is GONE. Yep just four months after launching Fubo pulled the plug on Essential for new subscribers.
If you are a new customer heading to the Fubo sign-up page you will only see the "Pro" plan as the cheapest option. Now Fubo Pro is listed at the same $85 a month price as Essential BUT here is the kicker it includes those regional sports channels and their lovely extra fees. We are talking at least $13 a month on top of that base price. Ouch.
Fubo says it is because "consumers prefer the Pro base plan with regional sports networks especially during baseball season." Okay Fubo but some of us were digging that cheaper option! Existing Essential subscribers and those reactivating accounts can keep the plan for now. But for everyone else Pro is the new entry point whether you want those sports channels or not.
Don't Panic Yet: Fubo's "Sports & Broadcast" Skinny Bundle is Coming (Maybe)
Before you get too bummed about the Essential Plan disappearing there is a little glimmer of hope. Fubo is planning to launch a new "Sports & Broadcast" package in the second half of this year. Think of it as a "skinny bundle" meaning it will be more streamlined and hopefully more affordable.
Fubo hasn't announced the exact price yet but rumors are swirling that it could be in the $50 to $60 per month range. That would be significantly cheaper than the current Pro Plan with all those extra fees. The "Sports & Broadcast" package is expected to include local channels and national sports networks. It is not clear yet if regional sports will be part of this package or an add-on option.
This whole plan shuffle seems to be part of a bigger trend in TV . Providers are trying to offer more focused packages instead of bloated expensive bundles. Maybe this "Sports & Broadcast" plan will be the sweet spot for folks who want sports but not everything else and not at a super high price.
The Big Disney Deal: Fubo Gets Hulu + Live TV But What Does it Really Mean?
Okay now for the REALLY big news about Fubo: they struck a deal with Disney. Yes THAT Disney. The deal is that Disney is going to combine its Hulu + Live TV service with Fubo. This is HUGE for Fubo. Suddenly they are going from a smaller player to a major force in live TV streaming.
The main thing here is subscriber numbers. Fubo currently has around 1.7 million subscribers in the US. Hulu + Live TV? Around 4.6 million. Do the math and Fubo's customer base is going to jump to over 6 million practically overnight. That is a massive jump and puts them right up there as a top live TV streaming service right behind YouTube TV.
Disney is not just handing over Hulu + Live TV for free though. In exchange Disney is getting a 70% stake in Fubo. They are also becoming a lender to Fubo with a $145 million term loan. Plus Fubo is getting a $220 million cash settlement from Venu Sports a sports streaming venture that Disney Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery were working on and then ditched after Fubo sued them.
Is This Good News for Fubo? The Pros: Subscriber Boost Cash and Disney's Might
On the surface this Disney deal looks like a massive win for Fubo. Let's break down the potential upsides:
- Subscriber Explosion: Instantly gaining millions of Hulu + Live TV subscribers is a game-changer. More subscribers mean more revenue plain and simple.
- Cash Injection: The $220 million settlement and $145 million loan from Disney are a huge financial boost for Fubo. They can use this money to grow improve their service and maybe even become profitable (finally!).
- Disney's Backing: Having Disney as a majority owner brings serious clout. Disney has massive marketing power brand recognition and tons of content. This partnership could give Fubo a huge advantage.
- No More Venu Lawsuit: The deal resolves the legal battle with Disney and the other media giants over Venu Sports. That's one less headache for Fubo.
The Catch? Disney Now in Charge and Fubo's Future in the Mouse House
But hold on is it all sunshine and roses? Not so fast. There are definitely some potential downsides to this Disney deal for Fubo and its investors:
- Disney is the Boss: With a 70% stake Disney is basically in control of Fubo. Fubo's goals might shift to align with what's best for Disney not necessarily what's best for smaller Fubo shareholders.
- Content Costs Could Rise: Fubo will likely have to pay Disney for the rights to stream Disney-owned content. Disney could charge top dollar potentially squeezing Fubo's profits. Disney could even keep Fubo just breaking even while Disney itself profits from content fees.
- Debt Load: Fubo is taking on a $145 million loan from Disney which adds to their debt.
It's a bit of a trade-off. Fubo gets massive growth and Disney's backing but they also become less independent and potentially more beholden to Disney's priorities. Whether this ends up being a good or bad thing in the long run is still an open question.
Fubo Stock: Rollercoaster Ride and Future Outlook - Double or Triple in 3 Years?
Fubo's stock has been on a wild ride lately especially after the Disney deal news broke. It jumped up big time in early 2025. One analyst even thinks Fubo stock could double or even triple in the next three years. That is some serious potential growth!
The argument is that even if the Disney deal falls apart Fubo as a stand-alone company is looking better. They are projecting revenue to grow to $2.2 billion by 2027 and potentially become profitable. Plus with that cash settlement money they would have more resources to expand and improve. If the Disney deal goes through and Hulu + Live TV comes into the picture Fubo becomes an even bigger player and the potential upside could be even greater.
Of course it is not a sure thing. The streaming market is competitive and Fubo still needs to prove they can be consistently profitable. But with the Disney deal and the potential of that "Sports & Broadcast" plan Fubo is definitely a company to watch in the streaming wars.