We all know that streaming video is a valuable proposition these days. Just look at the losses suffered at the major providers of linear television services for all the proof you might need therein. But a growing sub-sector of streaming is sports streaming, a service so valuable that major corporations will go to legal war to provide it.
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With FuboTV (FUBO) taking on the combined forces of Disney (DIS), Fox (FOXA) and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) to ensure its place in the sports streaming market, it is clear this is a major market. And there are plenty of other parties looking to get in on the action as well. With that in mind, here is a rundown of some of the latest moves in the sports streaming sector.
A Comcastic Sports Day
Comcast (CMCSA) was one of the most recent developments in this field. We knew that it was likely to make some kind of move, since it already had control of the NBC Sports operation and the Peacock streaming platform. That is a combination tailor-made for sports streaming, and Comcast recently announced plans to step that up.
Comcast set up new deals with RSNs, or Regional Sports Networks, to bring their content to streaming in the first half of 2025. While that could be anywhere from basketball to baseball seasons, it remains clear that Comcast wants a bigger piece of the sports pie.
In fact, Comcast also noted that it was poised to make some new deals with other RSNs to improve its reach. Currently, Comcast only has a few RSNs under its wing, mostly focused on California and the East Coast. But with a few more RSNs, Comcast could be quite a player in the field. Comcast also recently set up deals with Electronic Arts (EA) about its lineup of FC titles, giving it a soccer presence as well.
Netflix Fighting Back
We also know that Netflix (NFLX) has been ramping up its sports credentials. There is a safe bet that you are already watching the produce of that as we speak: the NFL. Netflix landed the rights to two NFL football games airing on Christmas Day. But that is only the beginning. Netflix is putting a lot of focus into wrestling.
With new reports from Wrestling Headlines suggesting that Logan Paul and the Bloodline might be involved in that first round of WWE Raw on Netflix, it is increasingly looking like a place to be for wrestling buffs. Though a report from The Sportster recently suggested that for every dark cloud in Netflix’s path on this one, there is a silver lining: while Netflix will certainly have a greater reach, many Netflix viewers are not wrestling fans in and of themselves.
Throw in recently-announced plans to get in women’s soccer with FIFA in 2027 and 2031 and Netflix rounds out its sports presentations that much more.
The Linear Empire Strikes Back
In what may be the dark horsiest part of this horse race, linear television is also looking to make a comeback thanks to sports. In fact, a report from CNBC just weeks ago noted that broadcast television is looking to the Trump administration for help with regulations. More specifically, cutting back on them. Current regulations, the report noted, only allow for a company to own one broadcast television affiliate in an area, and on top of that, one additional independent television outlet.
This makes for a major problem when it comes to regional sports networks, the kind that Comcast is taking a particular interest in. With companies like E.W.Scripps (SSP) picking up National Hockey League (NHL) rights, and Sinclair (SBGI) picking up basketball, the local boys might be able to parley their local sports stakes into solid income, particularly if Comcast continues to be interested in licensing them for streaming services.
Which Streaming Stock is the Best Buy Right Now?
Currently, the leader among this group is SSP stock. This Moderate Buy-rated stock offers a 251.06% upside potential against an average price target of $6.60 per share. The laggard among the group is NFLX stock. With an average price target of $877.32 per share, this Moderate Buy-rated stock comes with a 5.88% downside risk.
