Live TV streaming service fubo recently announced sweeping price increases, directly impacting the six million subscribers relying on its package for live sports. This major change follows the service’s effort to integrate NBC channels, which requires higher costs due to complex content licensing agreements. The company claims these fubo price hikes reflect the value of the added content, while consumers must determine if the overall offering justifies the new monthly bill. Consumers should carefully review the potential impact of these fubo price hikes before making any subscription decisions.
fubo now fully rolls out NBC channels, meaning both NBC and NBCSN will soon appear on the service’s base and sports plans. Prior to this expansion, the service reduced prices when it lacked these key networks, but the return of the content now demands substantial adjustments to the pricing structure. Fubo’s base packages already include Telemundo, various regional NBC sports networks, and Cozi, with Bravo expected to join the lineup soon. The company also plans to add Universo to its Spanish-language plans, further expanding the available content.
What Should Buyers Know?
The specific fubo price hikes affect multiple tiers, ranging from the essential plan to the ultimate package, which represents the most expensive offering. The fubo essential plan, which previously cost $73.99, will now rise to $88.99 per month, excluding regional sports fees. The fubo sports plan, which was $55.99, increases by $9 to $64.99 per month, reflecting the inclusion of the newly added NBC content. These adjustments are not uniform across the board; they show targeted increases for both base and specialized sports bundles.
For the higher tiers, the increase is even more pronounced, reflecting the premium nature of those packages. The fubo ultimate plan, for example, which was $98.99, will now cost $113.99 monthly, while the fubo deluxe tier moves from $103.99 to $118.99. These increases are compounded by variable regional sports fees, which the company discloses only during the final checkout process. This fee structure means that the final monthly cost varies greatly depending on the subscriber’s geographic location.
Regional sports fees are a key factor in the fubo price hikes that many users overlook. In four major markets, the fees increase, with Boston, Philadelphia, and Northern California seeing a $16 monthly charge. In other markets, the fee ranges between $13 and $17 per month. These fees apply to the base plans, making the final standard plan cost much higher than the advertised starting price. A subscriber in a market with the $16 fee will find that their fubo standard plan now starts at $102 per month, or $105 per month if regional NBC sports are included.
Understanding Fubo Price Hikes and Fees
This pricing shift requires viewers to carefully compare fubo against alternatives because the overall content value may not match the increased expense. When fubo removed NBC last fall, it actually lowered standard plan prices by $11 monthly, suggesting the current $15 to $18 monthly increase is a substantial jump for existing customers. The fubo sports package, despite its new price of $65, still lacks certain national sports coverage found on rival services. It is important to understand that fubo lacks carriage agreements for channels spun off by Comcast, such as CNBC, MS Now, USA Network, Golf Channel, or Syfy.
Regional fees complicate the cost, making fubo’s overall pricing more complex for the average viewer. Fubo applies these fees across its base plans in specific areas where it provides regional NBC sports networks. This makes the true cost of the service variable, which is a common complaint among streaming service users. The company claims the fees are necessary to secure the local sports programming, but the lack of transparency in the initial pricing is a valid point of criticism. Consumers must calculate the total cost, including the regional fee, to accurately assess the service’s value.
When comparing fubo to competitors, the difference in package content becomes more apparent, especially regarding national sports. For instance, fubo’s $65 monthly sports package includes fewer sports channels than comparable options from YouTube TV and DirecTV. YouTube TV’s equivalent package includes nearly everything in fubo sports, plus additional channels like TNT, TBS, USA, and Golf Channel. This means that for many sports enthusiasts, fubo offers a less complete viewing experience for the same monthly investment.
The Viewer Does Not Require
If the viewer does not require regional sports coverage, they would likely be better off without fubo. YouTube TV and DirecTV offer similar packages at $65 per month, providing a broader array of national sports channels. For example, DirecTV My Sports at $65 includes TNT, TBS, USA, and Golf Channel, although it omits NBCSN, which is a major live sports carrier. Fubo’s lack of these major national networks makes it a less versatile option for the general sports fan.
When looking at larger, comprehensive packages that go beyond just sports and local channels, fubo becomes one of the more expensive choices. At $102 per month or more, the price point is higher than YouTube TV ($83 monthly), Hulu + Live TV ($90 monthly), and DirecTV Entertainment ($90 monthly). These alternative packages typically include more national sports coverage through TNT, TBS, USA, and Golf Channel, offering better value for the dollar.
DirecTV Choice costs $95 monthly, offering regional sports fees ranging from $8 to $24 per month. Fubo plans offer comprehensive options for those needing regional sports coverage.
If the user absolutely requires regional sports, the financial calculation becomes even more complicated. Fubo’s plans are generally more expensive than DirecTV’s, but the inclusion of NBCSN carries some value for that specific channel. Every MLB team now offers standalone streaming plans, and similar options for basketball and hockey are expected in the near future.
