An often-heard sentiment around watching sports broadcasts in 2025 is, “Things were better when it was just cable.” There’s merit to that argument, especially regarding the convenience of paying one cost for a wide range of sports when options were limited. The idea of a multichannel video programming distributor that offers extensive sports programming still appeals to many, leading to significant interest in new sports-focused bundles like DirecTV’s MySports. We can expect to see more of these “skinny” bundles from other providers, especially since the MySports launch has received considerable praise.
Notable comments on this trend came from Meadowlark Media personalities John Skipper and David Samson in a recent episode of their The Sporting Class sub-show on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast titled “The Future of Live Sports TV Is a Bundle.” However, these sports-focused Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD) bundles are quite different from the promises made by Venu Sports before it was abandoned and differ significantly from company-specific streaming services like Peacock, Paramount+, Prime Video, Max, Apple TV+, and ESPN+. Each of these services targets a distinct audience.
Comments from Skipper and Samson might seem peculiar. Skipper questioned, “If you buy Flagship, what do you get from Flagship that you don’t get from MySports?” and characterized Venu as “always a temporary stopgap before [ESPN] launched Flagship,” suggesting that Disney was the primary beneficiary. Meanwhile, Samson criticized DirecTV and MySports, asserting, “They wanted to give the consumer another mirage of a choice of efficiency…. After they started cutting the cord, they want to be savior, but all they’re doing is making you pay the same or more to different platforms.” Samson has a point regarding the costs of MySports ($49.99 for a three-month promo, then $69.99), which are significant and can be comparable to fuller MVPD bundles that included more content in the past. However, this isn’t merely “a mirage of a choice of efficiency.” Sports-focused offerings like MySports are genuinely distinct from previous options.
According to Skipper’s remarks, what we know about Flagship and MySports varies greatly and targets different audiences. Venu was more than a “stopgap” for Disney and held importance for ESPN partners WBD and Fox, who believe they reaped substantial benefits. Yet, discussions around these offerings suggest many might be missing their intended purpose and target audiences.
There are four levels worth discussing. First is a conventional MVPD package resembling traditional cable or satellite, covering sports, news, and entertainment channels. For instance, DirecTV’s “Choice” level advertises 125 channels for $89.99 monthly (after a 24-month $10 discount), plus additional fees. Services like YouTube TV also offer over 100 channels for $82.99 monthly (after a six-month $10 discount).
The next tier is something like MySports, promising 40 channels for $69.99 a month, though it currently looks more like 27 channels due to its inclusion of free advertising-supported streaming television (FAST). Venu, which never launched, proposed ESPN, Fox, and WBD channels for $42.99 a month, though exact content details were unclear. Finally, individual company streaming services include offerings from WBD’s Max ($9.99/month with ads) and ESPN’s upcoming Flagship (expected at $25-30/month). Fox currently lacks a standalone streaming service.
Contrary to the chatter declaring one approach as superior, each option has its own economic value for specific fans. The cheapest method to watch most sports is using a digital antenna (a one-time cost of $10-20) for local broadcasts, complemented by subscriptions to streaming services. Fans interested only in ESPN might find an antenna plus Flagship ideal once it launches. If a fan wants WBD channels as well, it would be antenna + Flagship + Max with B/R Sports, potentially equating or exceeding Venu’s proposed price, which also included FS1. Thus, Venu could have offered a better deal, despite uncertainty over its offerings compared to Flagship’s.
For those seeking a broader range of cable sports content, MySports presents an appealing option, especially as it includes regional sports networks, league networks, and local affiliates like ABC, Fox, and NBC. However, MySports does have notable omissions compared to a full MVPD package, particularly CBS affiliates (which aren’t an issue for Paramount+ or antennas) and an absence of cable news and entertainment channels. For more comprehensive coverage, full MVPD packages like YouTube TV or DirecTV Choice remain better suited. It’s important to note that even those packages often exclude desired streaming services, which incur additional costs.
The broader point is that there isn’t a singular “future of live sports TV.” The future will differ for each consumer based on their content preferences. For some, an antenna combined with selected streaming services will be the most efficient option. The loss of Venu is significant for this group as it would have provided ESPN until Flagship’s launch, along with FS1 and a promising bundling deal with WBD. Others might find a sports skinny bundle like MySports more beneficial, while some will prefer a full MVPD package. It’s crucial to recognize that these are different products aimed at disparate demographics, and the only real future is one that is individualized.
