By Brian Steinberg
Fox-Warner-Disney Sports Streamer Should Be Blocked, Argues Fubu
Venu, the much-hyped streaming sports joint venture backed by Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery, has been blocked from its target.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett on Friday in a federal court in Manhattan barred the three companies from launching Venu, ruling that the FuboTV sports streaming service would likely prevail based on claims that the new broadband entity would “materially lessen competition and restrain trade.” Fubo launched in 2015 as a startup focused on streaming sports programming.
"We respectfully disagree with the court's ruling and will appeal," Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery said in a statement. "We believe Fubo's arguments are flawed on the facts and law, and Fubo has failed to demonstrate that it is legally entitled to injunctive relief. Venu Sports is a pro-competitive option that aims to expand consumer choice by reaching a segment of viewers currently underserved by existing subscription options."
