Acquisition
Hulu Completes Merger with Fubo Sports Network, Adding Sports Channel to Its Lineup
•February 13, 2026
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Why It Matters
The settlement signals heightened regulatory scrutiny on data practices, while YouTube’s sports push and new channel additions intensify the battle for viewers and advertising dollars across the fragmented streaming landscape.
Key Takeaways
- •Disney pays $2.75M, stops data scraping.
- •YouTube streamed NFL game to 17M viewers, pursuing rights.
- •Fubo Sports joins Hulu Live TV, adds 500 events.
- •Philo adds news, cooking channels to free lineup.
- •Samsung TV Plus streams Major League Volleyball for free.
Pulse Analysis
The California settlement underscores a growing wave of privacy enforcement targeting media giants. Disney’s $2.75 million payout and 90‑day data‑scraping moratorium reflect regulators’ willingness to hold streaming firms accountable for consumer data misuse. As states tighten privacy statutes, other platforms may pre‑emptively revise data‑handling policies, potentially reshaping how subscriber information fuels recommendation engines and targeted advertising.
Sports content has become a decisive battleground for streaming platforms seeking subscriber growth. YouTube’s free NFL broadcast attracted over 17 million global viewers, prompting the service to pursue additional league rights and international game inventories. Simultaneously, Hulu + Live TV bolstered its offering with the Fubo Sports Network, delivering roughly 500 live events without raising fees, while Samsung TV Plus added free Major League Volleyball. These moves illustrate a strategic shift toward live sports as a premium hook to lure cord‑cutters and capture advertising revenue traditionally dominated by cable.
Beyond marquee sports, services are expanding niche and free‑ad‑supported (FAST) lineups to differentiate in an overcrowded market. Philo’s inclusion of news and cooking channels, along with its new Western Entertainment Series, broadens its appeal to lifestyle viewers without the cost of sports rights. This diversification, paired with the rise of FAST channels on platforms like Samsung TV Plus, gives consumers more choice while pressuring traditional pay‑TV models. As streaming ecosystems evolve, providers that blend robust data compliance with compelling live and niche content are likely to secure the most sustainable subscriber growth.
Deal Summary
Hulu and Fubo Sports Network have finalized their merger, bringing the Fubo Sports Network channel into Hulu + Live TV. The deal, announced this week, expands Hulu's sports offering with nearly 500 live events per year. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Article
Source: The Streamable
Disney has settled a consumer privacy lawsuit in California, YouTube wants more NFL games, and other stories you may have missed this week.
If you’re lucky enough to have a loved one in your life, you’ve probably spent the majority of your spare time this week looking for a proper Valentine’s Day gift, instead of keeping up with the latest comings and goings in the streaming world.
If that’s the case, no blame to you — especially if you had a slow start to the week thanks to a really good Super Bowl party. We’ll catch you up on all the smaller stories from the streaming world you need to know about from the past week.
Which streaming stories did you miss last week?
YouTube wants more NFL games
For the first time in 2025, YouTube streamed an NFL game for free. It drew more than 17 million global viewers, and a new report indicates the free video platform is on the hunt for more. Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw sat down with YouTube’s VP of subscription products, Christian Oestlien, in a piece published on Sunday, in which Oestlien said YouTube is “very excited” about partnering with the league more.
The NFL has an inventory of international games to sell at the moment, and YouTube is probably deeply involved in discussions to get the rights to at least some of those games. The league will almost certainly return to the streamer in 2026, potentially with multiple games.
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YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $67.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.
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Sports are a major focus for YouTube TV, with access to national and regional coverage, league networks, and marquee events. The service also serves as the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, available as an add-on, giving fans access to out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. In February 2026, it was announced that YouTube TV would also offer small, niche plans geared toward sports, news, and entertainment.
YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost, allowing subscribers to record as many shows as they want and keep recordings for up to nine months. The service is available across a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming players, mobile devices, and web browsers. New subscribers can typically start with a free trial, though the length of the trial may vary by promotion.
With its broad channel lineup, strong sports offerings, unlimited DVR, and wide device support, YouTube TV remains one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services for viewers who want a traditional TV experience without a cable contract.
New customers can save $15 per month for 5 months.
Fubo Sports Network joins Hulu + Live TV package
A new sports channel is joining the Hulu + Live TV channel package, but viewers won’t have to worry about a rise in subscription prices as a result. The channel is of the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) variety, so it won’t lead to a higher bill on your Hulu + Live TV account.
This week, the Fubo Sports Network has joined the Hulu + Live TV plan. It’s the latest sign that the two companies have closed their merger, and brings almost 500 live sporting events per year to Hulu + Live TV — including soccer matches, combat sports, and World Poker Tour events.
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Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $82.99/month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels, 33 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra charge.
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The service includes unlimited DVR with commercial skipping, and offers upgrades for premium channels, unlimited streams, and ad-free access to Hulu’s on-demand library.
Disney settles lawsuit with California over use of streaming customers’ data
On Wednesday, the state of California settled a lawsuit with the Walt Disney Company over its use of personal information of residents of the state who are subscribed to Disney streamers like Disney+ and Hulu. Disney will surrender a $2.75 million civil payout over allegations that it improperly sold and shared consumer data.
The company also has 90 days to stop scraping customer data from its streaming platforms in compliance with the ruling. Other streamers are currently under investigation for similar practices, so the state may be bringing more action against entertainment companies in the near future.
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Disney+
Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”
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Disney+ has several plans with or without ads. Disney+ Basic with Ads costs $11.99 / month. If you don’t want ads, you can choose Disney+ Premium with No Ads which costs $18.99 / month.
The Premium plan also offers an annual option for $189.99 / year ($15.83/mo.).
If you’d like to add Hulu, choose Duo Basic (with ads). Duo Premium offers Hulu and Disney+ ad-free for $19.99 / month.
If you want all three Disney streaming services, you can choose Trio Basic (ad-supported) or Trio Premium (ad-free). The Trio plans offer Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ (with Ads) for $11.99 / month. The Disney Bundle Premium (without Ads) for $26.99 / month.
The app supports unlimited downloads (on their Premium Plans), four simultaneous streamers, up to 7 profiles, 4K streaming, and includes hundreds of avatars.
The service includes 25+ original series, 10+ original movies, 7,500 past episodes, 100 recent movies, and 400 library titles, including the entire Disney Vault.
You can see the full list of available Disney, Disney Channel, Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel, Nat Geo shows and movies, or all available Disney+ content by checking out our Disney+ streaming movie listings.
Get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for just $16.99 a month ($14 savings).
Netflix wants Bonds, Sabathia for Opening Day game
The 2026 MLB Opening Day game between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants will be played on Netflix, as part of a rights package sold to that streaming service in 2025. On Wednesday, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that the streamer is attempting to bring in two legends of those respective teams to be part of its coverage team for the game.
Per Marchand, Netflix is looking to add Barry Bonds and C.C. Sabathia ahead of Opening Day. No agreements have been inked yet, but Netflix is reportedly looking to have Bonds on-site for pregame and postgame coverage.
Philo adds news, cooking channels
Philo offers a good mix of entertainment cable channels in its Core package for $33 per month, but many viewers may not know the plan also comes pact with FAST channels. On Tuesday, Philo added four more networks to that lineup: CBS News 24/7, the 48 Hours channel, The Martha Stewart Channel, and The Emeril Lagasse Channel. These channels will be available on the Philo Free service as well.
The streamer’s Core Package is adding the WEST: Western Entertainment Series Television channel as well, which is packed with legendary Western titles that the whole family will enjoy.
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Philo
Philo is a live TV streaming service designed for entertainment lovers, which includes 60+ channels for $33 per month. It’s a desirable option for fans of live TV who don’t watch sports. Unlike many other streaming services, Philo does not carry sports or local broadcast stations, instead focusing on entertainment-driven content.
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With more than 70 channels, the service includes networks such as AMC, HGTV, Hallmark Channel, Paramount Network, Nickelodeon, and Food Network, along with unlimited DVR storage and a vast library of on-demand shows and movies. A subscription also includes ad-supported AMC+, HBO Max, and discovery+.
The service is available on most major devices, including Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, mobile devices, and web browsers. Subscriptions are offered at a low monthly price with no long-term contracts. Although there is no longer a Philo free trial, users can explore Philo’s free ad-supported service before committing to a full subscription.
With its combination of affordability, simplicity, and a strong lineup of entertainment and lifestyle channels, Philo is an appealing choice for cord-cutters who want to keep costs down while still enjoying a wide range of popular programming.
While it doesn’t include any local or sports channels like ESPN, FS1 or NBC Sports Network, it is the cheapest option for live entertainment-only TV.
Samsung TV Plus adds Major League Volleyball
More and more free, ad-supported streaming services are adding live sports content, and Samsung TV Plus is the next streamer to do so. As announced on Thursday, the streamer will begin offering Major League Volleyball matches on Feb. 15 on Samsung TV Network. Matches will continue to stream free there for the remainder of the 2026 season.
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