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Credit: DisneyBack in 2019, when Disney finalized its historic $71 billion acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the media world felt a seismic shift.
That deal gave Disney a massive content boost—think The Simpsons, Avatar, and all those Marvel characters like the X-Men and Deadpool. But it also cemented Disney as a dominant player in the global entertainment landscape. Now, another acquisition is underway—and while this one might not carry the same jaw-dropping price tag, it could be just as significant in shaping Disney’s streaming future.
So here we are in 2025, and Disney is officially buying a controlling stake in Fubo, a live-TV streaming competitor. Fubo’s net worth is valued at $1.16 billion. But unlike the Fox deal, this isn’t about buying up legacy content or characters. It’s about control—control over how live TV, sports, and on-demand content get into viewers’ homes. And if you ask Disney, it’s all about the long game.
What’s Actually Happening?
In short: Disney is merging its Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo, according to reports from Deadline. The combined company will be run by Fubo’s current management team and keep the Fubo name and brand, but Disney will own 70% of it.
That means Disney gets to call the shots on strategy, product direction, and—most importantly—how to package and monetize live sports and entertainment. It also means there will be less competition for price points in the “Live TV” and “Sports Streaming” world as Disney will essentially be able to set the market value mostly on its own, which is likely not a great thing for consumers hoping for competitive pricing options.
Currently, Hulu + Live TV starts at $82.99 per month.
Originally expected to close in mid-2026, the deal is now on track to finalize as early as late 2025. It still needs the green light from federal regulators and Fubo shareholders, but all signs point to a much faster finish line.
Why Is This So Different from the Fox Buyout?
When Disney bought 20th Century Fox, it was absorbing decades of intellectual property. This deal? It’s a pivot into the tech and distribution side of the streaming wars. Instead of creating more shows, Disney is doubling down on how you watch them—especially if you’re into live sports.
And that’s where things get strategic. Fubo was one of the few remaining live-TV streaming platforms not owned by a media giant. It had around 1.6 million subscribers and a niche as a sports-first streaming option. Hulu + Live TV, meanwhile, brings in over 4.6 million subscribers. Together, they’ll create an MVPD (multichannel video programming distributor) powerhouse with 6.2 million users.
The Sports Angle Is Huge
Disney, of course, owns ESPN. And while the future of ESPN as a stand-alone streaming service is still in development, this deal gives Disney a whole new platform to test what sports distribution might look like—whether bundled, a la carte, or something totally new.
Even more interesting: the deal gives Fubo permission to launch a Sports & Broadcast service that includes Disney’s crown jewels like ABC, ESPN, and even ESPN+—regardless of whether the merger closes. That clause alone shows just how seriously Disney is taking the streaming transition.
Fubo Gets a Boost, Disney Gets Control
Fubo, for its part, gets to stay on the market with its app, brand, and CEO (David Gandler). Disney gains control, but doesn’t need to absorb Fubo entirely—meaning less financial risk and more operational flexibility. And with Disney already owning Hulu outright following its Comcast buyout earlier this year, the company is now firmly in the driver’s seat for its entire streaming ecosystem.
And let’s not forget: this all comes after Fubo sued Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery over an attempted sports streaming venture called Venu. That legal fight led to the Venu project being shut down. And almost immediately afterward, Disney and Fubo reached this new deal. Coincidence? Probably not.
The Numbers Say It All
According to newly released financials, the combined company would have earned $1.56 billion in Q1 2025—with Fubo bringing in $416 million and Hulu + Live TV contributing $1.12 billion. The joint venture would still be operating at a loss overall, but that’s expected in the streaming world right now. What matters more is audience share and influence.
And with 6.2 million subscribers, Disney just took another major step toward locking down the live-TV streaming space.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just another acquisition—it’s a chess move. A smart one. Disney knows that as traditional cable dies out and younger audiences migrate to streaming, whoever controls live TV—especially live sports—will control the future of media. That’s exactly what this deal is about.
It may not have the Hollywood glamor of the Fox buyout. But in terms of power and positioning? This might end up being just as impactful.