Fubo’s Free Streaming Channel Hits Viewership Record; Platform Could Increase Live Content Going Forward
Fubo’s free ad-supported TV channel is available on Tubi and other providers, and could begin offering more live sports going forward.
Fubo may be facing stiff competition in the world of paid sports streaming these days, but its free streaming channel is continuing to add new viewers. According to The Wrap, Fubo’s free ad-supported TV (FAST) channel Fubo Sports has reached an all-time viewership high, with total hours consumed on that channel rising an impressive 40% year-over-year in 2023.
- Fubo Sports has set new records for viewership four years in a row.
- The channel hosted 340 live events in 2023 and could increase its live sports offerings.
- Fubo’s paid live TV service is facing serious competition from the new joint venture streaming service proposed by Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery.
December was an excellent month for Fubo Sports, as its viewership rose 70% year-over-year during the month. The Fubo Sports YouTube channel boosted its viewership metrics even more; it saw a 300% increase in hours watched, and a 132% increase in the ad revenue generated by the channel.
In total, Fubo Sports has more than 1,400 offerings. Those include hundreds of live sports events; Fubo Sports offered 340 live sports in 2023, including college football games, baseball, basketball, combat sports from partners like the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, soccer, and even niche sports like darts. According to Fubo Sports head Pamela Duckworth, more live sports will be a crucial part of building the success the channel has seen in the past year.
“I think that’s where we’re a winner because we have a lot of partnerships,” Duckworth told The Wrap. “We’re making deals and we’re going to keep all the live sports coming. I’m not really worried about all the other ways [to watch sports] because I think if people are used to coming to us to watch this stuff, that will keep the viewership up. So we’re just going to keep that cadence going.”
What is Fubo’s Future?
Duckworth did not have anything more to add to the record regarding Fubo’s views on the new joint venture streaming platform from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, instead pointing to the company’s statement about the streamer. Despite her silence, the streamer poses serious competition for Fubo and could threaten the company’s future.
Fubo’s statement leaves no room for interpretation. Issued days after the three companies announced they would be combining their sports rights onto a new JV streaming platform intended for launch this fall, Fubo denounced the proposal as bad for consumers and for competition. The Department of Justice is now reviewing the JV streamer to ensure it does not violate antitrust laws.
Though Duckworth refused to discuss the situation with the JV streamer directly, she did bemoan the current fragmented state of sports broadcasting.
“The entire media world seems like it’s doing such a disservice to the customer …. it seems that nobody’s really caring about the consumer and you have to find a million different ways to find what you want to watch,” Duckworth said. “Becoming an aggregator for everyone so that you don’t have to leave the environment to find other things is going to be the future of Fubo and the future of the way people will take in TV.”
Fubo is one of the most expensive live TV streaming services available, but its lineup of live sports can’t be beat. Paid Fubo subscribers will find national sports channels such as ESPN and FS1 in their channel guide, and Fubo carries a huge range of regional sports networks, including those from Bally Sports. Plans for Fubo start at $90.98 including regional sports network fees, but the streamer does offer a free trial.
Fubo
Fubo is a live TV streaming service with about 90 top channels that start at $79.99 per month. This plan includes local channels, 19 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). In total, you should expect to pay about $91.99 per month, after adding in their RSN Fee. Fubo was previously known as “fuboTV.”