NEW YORK, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Disney has agreed to combine its Hulu + Live TV streaming service with sports-focused FuboTV, a deal that will also end pending litigation over the formation of Venu Sports, the companies said on Monday.
Under the agreement, Disney will own roughly 70 percent of Fubo, whose management team will operate the new venture. Hulu + Live TV and Fubo would continue to be offered as separate streaming services with more than 6.2 million subscribers combined in North America.
In February 2024, Fubo sued to block the launch of Venu, a joint streaming venture between Disney's ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox Corp., alleging the companies wouldn't let Fubo carry a small bundle of sports-focused channels that they were looking to include in the new service. Fox and News Corp. share common ownership.
In August, a judge granted a preliminary injunction to block Venu's launch while the litigation continued, saying the service would "substantially lessen competition and restrain trade." Venu's three partners appealed the decision.
Disney, Fox and Warner are making an aggregate cash payment of 220 million U.S. dollars to Fubo to resolve the legal dispute. Disney has also committed to provide a 145 million dollars term loan to Fubo in 2026.
