• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Source: Venu Sports App Will Launch in August

  • The sports TV bundle from Disney, Fox, and WBD will launch sooner than expected.
  • One thing that could push it back: FuboTV finding success in its injunction attempt against Venu.
FOS Illustration

The Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox Sports plan to launch their sports streaming app Venu by the end of this month, a reliable source close to the joint venture tells Front Office Sports.

That is earlier than previous reports of this fall, though it would make sense given the start of the NFL regular season Sept. 5, typically a big boon for over-the-top platform sign-ups. The three companies first announced plans for their joint venture back in February.

The target launch approaches even as a federal judge prepares to decide whether to block the launch at the behest of digital pay TV distributor FuboTV, which is suing the triumvirate over Venu.

Since Tuesday, federal court Judge Margaret Garnett has presided over four days of testy hearings over Fubo’s motion for a preliminary injunction. Fubo contends Venu is anticompetitive and violates antitrust law because the three giants are licensing just their sports channels to Venu, which they won’t do for other pay-TV distributors. Fubo seeks the right to license only the sports channels from those giants. Venu, which will cost $42.99 per month, will boast 14 sports-related channels.

Over four days, the judge has heard from 18 witnesses, and the testimony has revealed a raft of figures that hadn’t previously been made public. This includes the fact that the three partners in Venu each invested $400 million, each committed to spending $15 million on marketing in Venu’s first year, and all agreed to a noncompete for Venu’s first three years that prevents them from making similar pacts with other media companies.

On Monday, each side will get 90 minutes for closing arguments. Post-hearing briefs are due later that day, which signals Judge Garnett will not rule from the bench.

The defendants have communicated their end-of-August timeline to Judge Garnett, the source said, who added that does not necessarily mean Garnett will rule by Aug. 31.

Garnett advised the parties to come ready to present precedential court cases Monday. That is a signal she might be moved by strong legal arguments.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Los Angeles Golf Club owners Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams cheer for their team against the New York Golf Club during the TGL semifinal match at SoFi Center on March 17, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
exclusive

Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian Bid on NFL Flag Football

Williams and Ohanian are the first known bidders for the flag football league.
Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Laney-Hamilton

WNBA Champion Missing Season Shows Risks and Kinks of Unrivaled

The Liberty have six weeks to make a decision on Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.

Featured Today

Seattle Kraken

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.
March 30, 2025

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
March 29, 2025

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.

March Madness Ratings Dip After Record Start: Will Final Four Deliver?

Viewership had been at a record pace through the opening rounds.
March 31, 2025

Former ESPN Reporter Zach Lowe Rejoins Bill Simmons at The Ringer

Lowe worked with Ringer co-founder Bill Simmons at Grantland.
Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a television camera operator during the game between the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
March 31, 2025

Sources: NFL ‘Virtual Lock’ to Opt Out of Media-Rights Deals

Data continues to support an early opt-out of the league’s rights.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
March 31, 2025

Yankees RSN and Comcast Clash Intensifies As Deadline for Deal Nears

The invective escalates as a contract deadline approaches Monday night.
exclusive
March 28, 2025

ESPN Making Erin Dolan In-Game Betting Analyst for UFL Games

Erin Dolan will provide betting news and notes during game broadcasts.
Both teams line the field during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start of the opening day game between the NY Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
March 27, 2025

Yankees RSN, Comcast Reach Last-Minute Extension in Ongoing Dispute

The two sides will keep negotiating as large-scale issues remain unresolved.
March 26, 2025

Yankees RSN Faces Comcast Blackout Threat Ahead of Opening Day

The Yankees-led RSN and the No. 2 U.S. cable carrier clash again.