Walt Disney Announces Merger of Hulu + Live TV with Smaller Rival FuboTV

Foreks - Walt Disney Co has announced that it will merge its Hulu + Live TV business with smaller rival FuboTV (NYSE:FUBO). This merger creates the second-largest online pay-TV company in North America, trailing only YouTube TV, with approximately $6 billion in revenue and 6.2 million subscribers. The services offer cable TV-like channel packages over the internet, providing an alternative to traditional cable or satellite TV subscriptions.

The deal will combine Hulu + Live with the sports-focused FuboTV, paving the way for Disney's ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox’s streaming venture, Venu Sports. Venu Sports was originally set to launch this fall but was delayed due to an antitrust lawsuit filed by Fubo. In August, a judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the new sports streaming service, stating it could "eliminate competition and inflate prices for consumers." Disney agreed to pay Fubo $220 million to resolve the legal dispute. Additionally, Disney stated it would provide Fubo with a $145 million secured loan in 2026.