ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery announced that they will be launching a sports-focused streaming service together in February, and today they shared some relevant details. A subscription to the Venu service will cost $43 per month. The platform will have three broad content categories: live games and events, on-demand sports programming, and discussion content such as studio shows. Venu will launch at an unspecified time this fall.
The linear networks included in the venue are ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV and ESPN+. Spectators will have access to many major events in the world of athletics. The Major League Baseball World Series, four Grand Slams in tennis, the Stanley Cup Finals for the National Hockey League and widespread college athletics will all be represented on Venu’s schedule.
When people sign up for the introductory price, that monthly cost will be locked in for twelve months. Given how often prices rise in the streaming landscape, it’s safe to assume that $43 won’t be a fee indefinitely.
Watching sports today is a fragmented and expensive activity. Different leagues may have media rights deals with many different networks and streaming platforms, meaning fans must check carefully where they can find their favorite teams each night. Having so many providers under one umbrella will make the experience easier, especially for people who like to watch multiple sports. But the joint effort has drawn criticism. claiming a new streaming package after the initial announcement would violate antitrust practices.
