Federal Judge Blocks Launch of Sports Streamer Venu; Disney, Warner Bros. and Fox Pla

[Coach Bill Lewis]

Quote:Venu, the combined sports streaming service from Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox, may not launch after all.

On Friday, a federal judge ruled in favor of rival sports streamer Fubo and barred the three media conglomerates from proceeding with its planned release of Venu, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The decision comes six months after Fubo filed an antitrust lawsuit alleging that it was forced to carry dozens of costly non-sports networks as a condition of licensing sports rights from the three companies that have since partnered to launch Venu. The very existence of Venu, Fubo argued, would “substantially lessen competition and restrain trade.”

Disney, WBD and Fox intend to appeal the decision, and have released the following statement (per Variety):

We respectfully disagree with the court’s ruling and are appealing it. We believe that Fubo’s arguments are wrong on the facts and the law, and that Fubo has failed to prove it is legally entitled to a preliminary injunction. Venu Sports is a pro-competitive option that aims to enhance consumer choice by reaching a segment of viewers who currently are not served by existing subscription options.

Venu (pronounced like “venue”) was expected to launch this fall, and arrive in tandem with the upcoming NFL season. The sports-centric platform was first announced in February and would reportedly give subscribers access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV and ESPN+. That would let subscribers watch live NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL games, along with MMA fights, NASCAR races and many more events.

The joint venture previously announced an initial subscription price of $42.99 per month. A seven-day free trial would be available to all who subscribe, and users who sign up for Venu’s launch price would maintain that price for 12 months from time of sign-up, with the ability to cancel at any time.

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