Exclusive: Fubo Preps ‘Sports Pass’ for Skinny Bundle, Adds ‘VIP’ Concierge Service in Desperate Attempt to Retain Users

If it weren’t for Disney riding to the rescue, Fubo could be a service on its last legs. Having already burned its bridges with Warner Bros. and Discovery, the service lost all NBCUniversal and Versant channels in November. Fubo’s CEO says those channels are not coming back. That leaves it without 15 of the 25 most-watched channels on TV.

Now, Fubo is taking some drastic steps to try to hold onto its dwindling user base:

• Adding a ‘Sports Pass’ tier for its skinny Fubo Sports package
• Introducing ‘VIP’ phone support for some users
• Bringing back a higher channel tier (Deluxe) and quarterly payment options

Sports Pass

In an effort to bulk up its skinnier Sports package (sometimes called “Sports+News”), Fubo is working on a “Sports Pass” add-on. It’s not available to monthly users (yet), but people willing to pay quarterly can access these additional channels.

• DraftKings Network
• FIFA+
• MotoGP
• Red Bull TV
• SportsGrid
• Yahoo! Sports Network

Quarterly Subscription Options

Historically, Fubo has rolled out quarterly payment options from time-to-time. Those options are available now.

Pay quarterly or the Pro plan and you’ll get the Sports Lite package free:

• ESPNU
• ESPNews
• MLB Network
• NBA TV
• NHL Network
• Tennis Channel

Pro quarterly is $244.94 for the first quarter ($81.64/month), then $269.94 every 3 months after that ($89.98/month).

Choose the quarterly payment plan for the Elite level and you’ll get additional channels. Confusingly, their channel chart lists these as the additions…

• Confess by Nosey
• Cosmic Frontiers
• DangerTV
• History & Warfare Now
• MagellanTV Wildest
• Maverick Black Cinema
• Wild Oceans

…but Fubo’s site says the quarterly option includes “16 channels from Fubo Select” and every list on their site shows that Fubo Select only contains the 7 channels above.

Elite quarterly is $269.94 for the first 3 months ($89.98/month), then $299.94 ($99.98/month) every 3 months after that.

The skinny Fubo Sports package also has a quarterly option. It’s $157.97 ($52.66/month) for the first 3 months, then $167.97 ($55.99/month) for every quarter after that.

Deluxe Tier

They’re not really advertising it, but Fubo has once again added a tier above Elite. It’s called Deluxe and it’s $119.98 after a discounted first month.

Includes 4K broadcasts and regional sports networks where available. 22 channels in bold are upgrades from Elite.

To see the Deluxe tier, begin the sign-up process and then click “view all available plans” on Step 2. You’ll see it listed under “Live TV Plans.”

Fubo loves to shuffle its channel lineup and hide tiers at random. Previously, users were able to subscribe to an “Essential” tier as long as they were downgrading from a more expensive plan. The lack of transparency is unbelievably frustrating. I cover this stuff for a living and it bothers me. I can’t imagine what a casual customer has to go through.

Fubo VIP

In a true panic move, Fubo now has a VIP service for users of the Elite level or above. The service includes:

• A free orientation call with a Fubo expert to help you get started, including:
  • Downloading the Fubo app on all your devices
  • Setting up your favorite channels
  • Navigating the different app screens
  • Finding games and setting recordings of your favorite teams, leagues, and shows
  • Answers to any questions you have about Fubo
     
• Priority support phone number for faster assistance with Fubo’s “most experienced support agents”
   
• Regular check-in calls to make sure you’re still “getting the most out of your Fubo subscription”

To sign up for the VIP program, you’ll enter your phone number after checkout, then click “Enroll” and a representative will reach out.