• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

FuboTV Pivots To News And Entertainment Amid Live Sports Dearth

  • OTT Cable provider to rely on news and entertainment programming during long sports drought.
  • The company may also receive rebates from TV networks over canceled sporting events.
Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

What a difference one week has made for FuboTV.

As recently as March 9, the multi-channel OTT streaming service was live streaming games from across the NBA, NHL, and several soccer leagues from around the world.

That is until sports leagues across the globe began to cease play due to the Coronavirus last week.

By Saturday, FuboTV’s live sports offerings were all but down to Liga MX – Mexico’s top-flight soccer competition. A league fixture between C.D. Guadalajara and Monterrey Rayados was streamed on Univision-owned TUDN on FuboTV that night. Liga MX later suspended operations indefinitely the following day.

“We don’t know how long these suspensions are for,” David Gandler, CEO of FuboTV, said. “And remember – some countries are further ahead on the Coronavirus curve. But again, we don’t know where we are in Spain with LaLiga Santander or other leagues. So it’s just wait and see at the moment.”

FuboTV says subscribers have not decreased in the past week due to Coronavirus. In fact, viewership of news programming has grown sharply as more consumers stay home seeking updates, according to the company.

While the Turkish Süper Lig remains available to fans on FuboTV via Bein Sports, the company is banking on news and entertainment programming – in the form of late-night talk shows and reality TV – to see it through the Coronavirus pandemic. The company also has a library of 20,000 videos on-demand assets spanning multiple genres, as well as more than 100 different non-sports channels.

“Obviously, we’ll reduce marketing spend just given the lack of new content on the sports and entertainment side, as I think even Hollywood has gone on hiatus at this point,” Gandler said. “Coronavirus has affected all of society and every genre. So it’s something we all have to be patient with and, eventually, it will pass.”

READ MORE: Live Blog: Impact of Coronavirus on U.S. Sports

FuboTV hasn’t begun seeking rebates or future credits from distribution fees paid to network partners over unforeseen sports league cancellations. The company has also not heard of any discounts that will be provided to date, according to Gandler.

“I think, first of all, the channels have to figure out what they want to do with the leagues or primary stakeholders,” he said. “We’ll obviously have those conversations.”

Any savings earned by FuboTV are also expected to be passed down to the consumer.

“If anything does come down to our level, we’d be happy to share that with our customers.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jonas

Jonas Valančiūnas Is Cryptic About Nuggets Standoff in Lithuania

The Nuggets expect Valančiūnas to honor his NBA contract. 
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg speaks to the media during a press conference at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility.

Cooper Flagg–Bronny James Summer League Tickets Average $201

The average purchase price on resale platform TickPick is $201.

Texas Sports Teams, Leagues Donate Over $5M to Flood Relief

NFL, MLB, and NBA teams in Texas donate to flood recovery efforts.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.