IndyCar streaming coverage takes hit with end of Venu Sports

The saga of Venu Sports, a proposed virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD) service from ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery, has been put to rest after the three companies collectively decided not to move forward with the platform, effective immediately. 

Venu Sports was set to be the only streaming option available to consume the IndyCar Series outside of cable/streaming television subscriptions such as Hulu and YouTubeTV — similar to how the Peacock streaming service was utilized. 

What happened?

A joint statement from ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery read: “After careful consideration, we have collectively agreed to discontinue the Venu Sports joint venture and not launch the streaming service. In an ever-changing marketplace, we determined that it was best to meet the evolving demands of sports fans by focusing on existing products and distribution channels. We are proud of the work that has been done on Venu to date and grateful to the Venu staff, whom we will support through this transition period.”

The launch of Venu Sports was previously delayed back in August after a federal judge granted FuboTV’s motion for a preliminary injunction against the sports streaming venture by ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery. FuboTV originally filed the lawsuit two weeks after the venture by the participating companies was announced back in February. 

Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, NBC, TV

Photo by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images

At a time when streaming subscriptions are continuing to rise, Venu Sports was set to have a base price at $42.99 per month while offering the following networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNEWS, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, truTV -- as well as ESPN+. Subscribers would have also had the ability to bundle the product with Disney+, Hulu and/or Max.

All 17 rounds from North America’s premier open-wheel championship will be carried on free-to-air FOX. However, various on-track sessions — including for the Indianapolis 500 — are set to be shown on FOX Sports 1 or FOX Sports 2, where a cable/streaming television subscriptions are required. Additionally, the FOX Sports app is only provided to those with proof of authentication through cable/streaming television subscriptions.