• by Wayne Friedman , March 27, 2026

With the promise of more streaming video extending the lifespan of live, linear TV networks focused on sports, one analyst believes there is growth potential for the new iteration of FuboTV Inc, a company featuring virtual pay TV brands Fubo and Hulu + Live.

This is largely because of Fubo’s longtime focus on live, linear TV sports programming -- which is still highly valuable among sports TV advertisers and consumers.

Drew Crum, media analyst of B. Riley Securities, says that now -- with Walt Disney a 70% owner of the company -- profitability will rise from improved “scale benefits, improving advertising yields, and other synergies."

The combined company will have 6.2 million subscribers -- 1.5 million from existing Fubo and 4.7 million from Hulu + Live TV, the Disney-owned brand.

Fubo will be the second-largest virtual multichannel programming distributor (vMVPD), with a 28% share of the market. YouTube TV commands the largest share of the virtual multichannel video programming distribution business, with 46% share.

The broader picture of live, linear TV network business shows that traditional pay TV subscribers (cable, satellite, and telco systems) have fallen dramatically, to now total just under 40 million. vMVPDs have maintained around 20 million subscribers.

“Amid these industry dynamics, virtual multichannel programming distribution is maturing as a category and is not without its challenges,” Crum says, adding: “But... we believe Fubo is better positioned relative to most other relevant participants and expect it to be a share winner going forward.”

Fubo has more than 55,000 sporting events annually across more than 400 channels, with the option to purchase additional content and/or functionality.

It has key deals with Disney’s ESPN, FS1, Regional Sports Networks, and the NFL Network, with a starting base package priced at $73.99 a month -- comparable to other major virtual pay TV retailers. It also has a Fubo Sports 'skinny' bundle starting at $55.99.

Fubo does not currently have a deal with NBCUniversal, due to a contract dispute.

The dispute centers on NBCU’s new cable spinoff company Versant Media, launched earlier this year, with NBCU reportedly demanding a multi-year carriage commitment for these channels, while Fubo only offered a one-year deal.

This story has been updated.