Fubo Discontinues ‘Essential’ Plan Amid Streaming Market Changes

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Fubo TV has eliminated its ‘Essential’ plan for new subscribers just four months after its launch. The streaming service, known for its sports focus, has reverted to the ‘Pro’ plan as the lowest priced option available, which carries additional regional sports fees.

The ‘Pro’ plan lists at $85 per month but incurs at least an additional $13 for regional sports, a fee disclosed only at the final checkout stage. Despite the discontinuation for newcomers, the ‘Essential’ plan—though still priced at $85—can be accessed by existing subscribers and those reactivating their previous accounts.

According to Fubo spokeswoman Jennifer Press, the decision aligns with viewer preferences. “Since Fubo is a sports-first offering, consumers prefer the Pro base plan with regional sports networks, especially during baseball season,” Press stated in an email.

In comparison, competitors such as YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV maintain monthly prices of $83 while excluding regional sports, making them more affordable alternatives to Fubo’s offerings. As fees push the total cost of Fubo Pro to about $98 monthly, some customers may seek direct-to-consumer services from sports leagues and teams, which are priced from free to $30 per month.

Fubo continues to adapt its services, with plans to introduce a ‘Sports & Broadcast’ package in the latter half of this year, though pricing details remain undisclosed. Industry sources suggest it will target a more budget-conscious audience.

This shift in availability reflects broader changes within the video streaming market, where consumers are increasingly looking for more streamlined and genre-specific content packages. It remains uncertain if the upcoming Fubo package will include regional sports channels.