Sports-centric streaming service Fubo has inked a new agreement with Comcast’s NBC Universal that allows the company to restore numerous broadcast and cable channels that have been missing from the platform since November.
In an announcement on Wednesday, Fubo said it will start carrying NBC Universal’s Spanish-language networks immediately — timely, given that Comcast’s Telemundo will start offering Spanish broadcasts of the FIFA World Cup men’s soccer tournament later this week — and will bring English-language, NBC-owned channels back to the platform “in the coming weeks.”
The deal allows Fubo to start carrying the recently-relaunched NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) and four NBC-owned regional sports networks in its base programming plan, with NBCSN also being offered to those who pay for Fubo Sports, the company’s cheaper sports-inclusive option.
NBC stations and affiliates will be available in the Fubo Sports and Fubo base programming packages, and Brao will become available in the Fubo base plan, the company said. A number of free, ad-supported streaming TV channels from NBC are also coming to the service in the near future.
Less clear is whether channels owned by Versant, which was spun out of Comcast last year, will be returning to Fubo in any capacity. Comcast is said to be handling distribution arrangements with pay TV services for Versant channels on that company’s behalf, but the announcement released by Fubo made no mention of networks like CNBC, USA Network, SyFy, MS Now, E! or Golf Channel.
“We’re thrilled to announce the return of NBCUniversal networks to Fubo, given their robust portfolio of top-tier sports, entertainment and news,” said Todd Mathers, the Executive Vice President of Content Strategy and Acquisition at Fubo. “Our agreement with NBCUniversal underscores Fubo’s promise to bring consumers more programming, value and choice through multiple packaging options.”
Fubo stopped offering NBC Universal and Versant-owned channels in November after a distribution agreement between the two companies lapsed without a new deal in place. Earlier this year, executives at Fubo said Comcast broke off discussions with the company, opting instead to wait until a deal with Disney’s Hulu with Live TV was up for renewal. Disney owns 70 percent of Fubo, and Hulu with Live TV is now operated under the Fubo umbrella.
While the dispute dragged on, Fubo lowered the price of its programming packages to offset the loss of Comcast and Versant-owned channels. The company also began selling subscriptions to Peacock, Comcast’s streaming service, as a way for its subscribers to access live and on-demand programming from NBC.
