Key streaming service drops generous offer for its subscribers

As more people around the world ditch cable services for more convenient entertainment options, the competition among streaming service providers is heating up. Streaming giants, such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, and others frequently upgrade their offerings to attract more subscribers.

A whopping 83% of U.S. adults use streaming services, and far fewer subscribe to cable or satellite TV, revealed a July 2025 Pew Research Center survey. Specifically, 28% of Americans subscribe to cable or satellite TV and watch streaming services. Another 55% watch streaming but do not also have a cable or satellite subscription.

Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ are leaders in the industry, based on the number of subscribers, having more than 300 million, 200 million and 130 million, respectively, according to data from Flix Patrol.

While Fubo’s subscriber base is smaller than the giants mentioned, it is steadily growing. In fact, Fubo was named one of The Americas’ Fastest-Growing Companies in 2025 by the Financial Times.

At the end of the third quarter of 2025, Fubo reported having 1.63 million paid subscribers in North America, while five years ago the number of subscribers amounted to around 547,880. At the end of 2024, the company also noted having around 362,000 paid subscribers in Spain and France.

To remain responsive to its subscribers, Fubo has announced updates to the costs of certain plans.

Fubo lowers prices for certain plans to address for the loss of NBCUniversal channels.

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Fubo lowers the prices for some of its subscription plans

Key streaming provider Fubo announced it is lowering its subscription prices for some plans, starting with billing cycle dates on or after January 1, 2026.

Fubo is a live TV streaming service providing a cable alternative, offering its subscribers traditional sports, news, and entertainment channels live over the internet. Fubo’s key focus includes popular sports, including NBA, NFL, MLB, and international soccer, in addition to offering on-demand content and cloud DVR.

Subscribers can access Fubo’s content through smart TVs, mobile phones, and web browsers.

On Dec. 5, Fubo confirmed that its monthly prices for some of its “Live TV” subscription plans will be up to 14.8% cheaper, reported Ars Technica. The more affordable subscription plans include hundreds of channels, even non-sports ones such as The Disney Channel.

The news comes following Disney’s acquisition of a majority stake in Fubo, to create the No. 6 pay-TV operator in the U.S. when combined with Hulu + Live TV.

“This reduced pricing reflects Fubo’s commitment to delivering a competitively priced premium live TV streaming experience. We value you as a Fubo customer and appreciate your continued support. If your price is being reduced, you will receive an email at the address you use to log into Fubo,” the company said.

New prices for certain Fubo subscription plans

Fubo updated the prices of its monthly plans, and three plans have gotten cheaper.

Monthly Plans

Essential: $73.99/month (previously $85/month)
Pro: $73.99/month (previously $85/month)
Elite: $83.99/month (previously $95/month)
Elite w/ Sports Plus: $93.99/month
Deluxe: $103.99/month
Ultimate: $98.99/month

Quarterly Plans

Pro: $221.97/quarter
Elite: $251.97/quarter
Elite w/ Sports Plus: $281.97/quarter
Ultimate: $296.97/quarter

Regional sports fee

Your Regional Sports Fee may be lowered or removed if any Regional Sports Networks you previously received are no longer available on Fubo:

If you previously had two (or more) Regional Sports Networks and now get one, your fee will change from $15.99 to $12.99.
If you previously had one Regional Sports Network and now get none, your fee will change from $12.99 to $0.
If you previously had two Regional Sports Networks and now get none, your fee will change from $15.99 to $0.
If you still receive two (or more) Regional Sports Networks after one was removed, your fee will not change. Source: Fubo

Netflix, Apple TV, Disney+ and others hike prices as content-production costs climb

In January 2025, Netflix increased its prices after revealing its last quarter of 2024 brought in 18.9 million new subscribers. At the beginning of the year, Fubo also hiked its prices by $5 per month on all its English-language plans for new customers, including the Essential package, reported The Streamable.

In August, Apple TV+ raised prices for the third time in three years, according to CNBC.

In October, Disney+ raised prices for various plans, including an ad-supported plan raising the monthly price from $9.99 to$11.99 and an ad-free plan from $15.99 to $18.99 per month, according to Mac Rumors.

The same month, HBO Max also increased its subscription fees across all plans, reported Tech Crunch.

Earlier this year, similar moves made other streamers including Peacock, Dropout.tv, and Paramount.

“The reason you are seeing price increases is [that] the cost to produce good content and monetize it is only going up,” Adam Deutsch, managing director at Deloitte Consulting, told CNBC.

Deutsch said the volume of required content is also pushing prices higher, and he foresees more consolidation and fewer big players. Subscribers will likely see more “old-fashioned bundle” offerings, Deutsch added.

YouTube TV recently made a move in that direction, announcing several specialized bundles, including sports-only, entertainment-only, and kids’ packages.

At a time when competitor companies are increasing their prices for streaming services, why is Fubo lowering them?

Why Fubo is cutting prices while other streamers raise them

A Fubo spokesperson told Ars Technica that the new prices “reflect NBCU pulling their networks from Fubo.”

Since Nov. 21, NBCUniversal-owned networks have been missing from Fubo, as the two companies negotiated the new deal. In a Nov. 25 statement, Fubo accused NBCUniversal of trying to overcharge Fubo for the channels that will continue under a company to be created from the spinoff of NBCUniversal’s cable channels and other digital properties.

“Despite them not being worth the cost to Fubo subscribers, Fubo offered to distribute Versant channels for one year,” Fubo said. “NBCU wants Fubo to sign a multi-year deal—well past the time the Versant channels will be owned by a separate company. NBCU wants Fubo subscribers to subsidize these channels.”

Fubo also accused NBCUniversal of “discriminating” against its subscribers.

“They allowed YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video to integrate Peacock directly into their channel store, but refused to give Fubo the same rights,” the statement said. “Fubo’s goal is to make Peacock available directly in our channel store so subscribers can access all of their content in one place and seamlessly pay on one bill.”

“Fubo has chosen to drop NBCUniversal programming, despite being offered the same terms agreed to by hundreds of other distributors,” NBCUniversal told The New York Times.

Fubo previously said it will give existing subscribers a $15 credit during their December billing cycle to address the blackout.

YouTube TV recently did something similar while in dispute with Disney, and the streaming giant gave subscribers a $20 credit because Disney content was unavailable “for an extended period of time.”

Fubo subscribers are frustrated about missing NBCUniversal channels

Some Fubo subscribers may find the new, less expensive deals to be worth it. Others might feel that without NBCUniversal’s channels, Fubo is no longer worth the subscription.

Fubo’s spokesperson couldn’t confirm whether the new price will remain if NBCUniversal’s channels come back.

Ars Technica’s Scharon Harding suggests that Fubo’s latest move might be a strategy to pressure NBCUniversal into a deal instead of letting the partnership dissolve.

A number of subscribers shared their views on the topic in several Reddit threads, and the overall sentiment appears negative. Subscribers are frustrated with the lack of NBCUniversal channels, arguing that Fubo is no longer worth it, even at a reduced price.

User thekingoftherodeo wrote: “Rare decision because the platform is [useless] without the NBCU channels even at the new price point.”

User JustBella123 seconded that thought, arguing, “Without CNBC I’m out. Fox business and Bloomberg are good, I just like CNBC for some things.”

A number of subscribers suggested that without NBCUniversal, they plan to cancel the service. Other users believed Fubo is waiting for the new company to form so it can strike a better deal.