Live TV streaming service fuboTV raised its prices nationwide without much fanfare last week. The price hike only affects new subscribers.
Update: Flixed has confirmed with fuboTV that the new pricing affects new subscribers only. In a statement, a fuboTV representative said “This adjusts rates to make them consistent across all devices… and local US markets” and pointed out that the monthly rate is still $5 below the rate fuboTV originally planned at its launch.
While some markets, such as New York City, always paid $45 per month, the original monthly cost of the fubo Premiere subscription plan was $35. Now, all new fuboTV subscribers must pay the $45 rate.
fuboTV offers channel packages for sports fans and non-sports fans alike. With more than seventy channels, fuboTV offers a selection of sports, entertainment, news and lifestyle options. ESPN’s absence is still fuboTV’s biggest weakness.
The price increase has not been accompanied by any added channels or features.
New Prices Compared
Here’s what a $45 subscription will get you from fuboTV’s main competitors:
Sling TV’s Orange+Blue plan costs $45 per month when you add cloud DVR service. You get fifty-three channels, including ESPN and the big four broadcast networks.
PlayStation Vue’s Core plan costs $45 per month and includes sixty channels, including ESPN.
DirecTV Now’s entry-level “Live a Little” plan only costs $35 per month and comes with sixty channels. The “Just Right” Plan comes with eighty channels and costs $50.
It seems that fuboTV has reason to believe its core subscribers will accept the pricing increase. Soccer fans might opt to stick with fuboTV because it carries soccer games you can’t stream anywhere else. On the other hand, fuboTV’s increased prices, lack of ESPN and emphasis on niche sports may harm its growth going forward.
Chris Casper is a former tech industry product manager who escaped from California for New Mexico. Now he writes about science and tech while searching for the perfect green chile sauce.
“The price increase has not been accompanied by any added channels or features.”
Expect for all the on demand and local affiliates they’ve been adding all along…