Live TV streaming service Fubo is reducing monthly subscription costs for its Pro and Elite plans as a dispute with NBCUniversal enters its second month. Since November 21st, Fubo customers have been without access to NBCU-owned networks, including local NBC stations, Bravo, USA, CNBC, and numerous regional sports networks (RSNs). The price cuts are a direct response to customer frustration over the blackout.
Price Cuts for New and Existing Subscribers
Fubo is now offering its Pro plan at $74 per month (normally $85) and its Elite plan at $84 per month (typically $95). These discounts apply to new customers after their initial promotional period. Currently, new subscribers receive a $25 or $30 discount on their first month’s bill, depending on the plan chosen.
Existing Fubo subscribers will also benefit from the price reductions: a $15 credit will be applied to December bills, and the lowered rates will take effect with January’s billing cycle. This is a clear effort to retain customers during a frustrating period.
The Dispute: Why NBCUniversal Channels Are Missing
The conflict stems from NBCUniversal’s insistence on forcing Fubo to bundle more expensive channel packages, a condition YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video were apparently exempt from. According to Fubo, NBCUniversal refused to allow it to integrate Peacock, its streaming service, into its channel store on the same terms as competitors.
“They allowed YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video to integrate Peacock directly into their channel store, but refused to give Fubo the same rights,” Fubo stated. “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.”
This raises questions about whether NBCUniversal is intentionally favoring certain streaming platforms over others, potentially using leverage to push for unfavorable business terms.
What Viewers Can Do
Viewers impacted by the blackout face a simple choice: stay with Fubo and accept the lower price, or switch to a competitor like Sling TV or YouTube TV, which still carries NBCUniversal channels. The longer this dispute lasts, the more pressure will build on both companies to reach a resolution.
The current standoff underscores the growing tension between streaming services and traditional media companies over distribution rights and pricing control. Resolving this conflict is vital for ensuring customers have access to the content they expect at a reasonable price.
