• Loading stock data...
Friday, April 25, 2025

Questions Are Mounting for ‘Spulu’ As Lawmakers Demand Answers

  • A pair of high-powered Congressmen are demanding answers about the forthcoming service.
  • The latest inquiry spotlights what remains a growing confusion about the alliance.
FOS Illustration

The hits are still coming for the streaming joint venture between ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, which is still four months away, at minimum, from its intended public debut.

With the much-discussed project already facing continued questions from sports leagues, a U.S. Justice Department inquiry on antitrust grounds, a lawsuit from FuboTV, and tempered expectations from Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch, two high-powered Congressmen are the latest to pile on the still-nascent effort.

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D., N.Y.) and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D., Texas) have written a letter to Murdoch, Disney CEO Bob Iger, and WBD CEO David Zaslav, demanding answers to 19 questions regarding the details of how the forthcoming service will present itself to both consumers and leagues. Within the extensive series of questions is a broad concern by the two legislators that the streaming product will create a series of negative effects across the industry. The pair have set an April 30 deadline for a response, which they also intend to have sent to the Justice Department. 

“Without more complete information about the pricing, intent, and organization of this new venture, we are concerned that this consolidation will result in higher prices for consumers and less fair licensing terms for upstream sports league and downstream video distributors,” Nadler and Castro said.

The letter highlights what is still a growing confusion around the streaming alliance—nicknamed “Hulu for Sports” or “Spulu”—depending on the party speaking. Some have dismissed the venture as largely a non-event and something not appealing to many fans, since it will leave out roughly half of NFL games, the Olympics, and a significant amount of college sports, men’s pro soccer, golf, tennis, and horse racing, among other sports, given the lack of involvement by CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Amazon, and Apple. The service also still lacks a formal name, pricing, or a definitive working agreement among the three partners. 

Others, such as Nadler and Castro, similar to FuboTV and the Justice Department, are taking a different approach and are raising concerns about squeezing out various entities through consolidated and anticompetitive market power.

“As programmers, your companies exert tremendous influence over pricing across the live TV ecosystem,” the lawmakers said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

No. 1 Pick Cam Ward Is the Face of Football’s Transfer Portal..

Ward played for three teams in his college career, which started in 2020.
MLB Speedway Classic rendering

Baseball Meets Bristol: Braves-Reds Game Aims for Record Crowd

Playing an MLB game inside a racetrack brings unique challenges.
Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark speaks during the CFP National Championship Host Committee handoff press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom.

CFP Meetings End With No Major Changes to 12-Team Playoff—for Now

For now, the complicated seeding process will remain in place.
exclusive

Fox, Shannon Sharpe Settled Physical Incident With Female PA

Sharpe’s reps confirm a past “physical” incident was settled by Fox.

Featured Today

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.

Comcast Leans On Sports As Revenue Slides and Cord-Cutting Grows

NBC Sports’ rights portfolio remains a company bedrock.
Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.
April 23, 2025

Roku’s New Plan to Relieve Streaming Headaches

The streaming company introduces new tools to direct fans to games.
FuboTV signage
April 23, 2025

Disney’s Fubo Takeover Now Faces DOJ Antitrust Review

The deal struck by the ESPN parent company could be in jeopardy.
Sponsored

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

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
Apr 20, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden.
April 22, 2025

NBA Playoffs Deliver Most-Watched Opening Weekend in 25 Years

It was the most-watched opening weekend on ESPN platforms.
Shannon Sharpe
April 21, 2025

Shannon Sharpe Accused of Rape in Civil Lawsuit

The case was filed by an anonymous woman in Nevada.
Netflix
April 17, 2025

Netflix Rises While Markets Slide—Thanks in Part to Live Sports

The streaming giant beats financial expectations as its sports presence grows.
Lee Corso
April 17, 2025

Lee Corso Will Retire From ESPN at 90

The broadcaster is hanging up his headgear in August.