Do ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery think the same?
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Come on, everyone. There’s been a minor hiccup in the launch of Venu, the planned sports streaming package from three media heavyweights. According to CNN, a judge has delayed Venu’s launch by granting FuboTV’s request for a preliminary injunction against the joint venture of Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery and the Walt Disney Company (some reports put ESPN in last place; ESPN is majority-owned by Disney). Fubo filed a lawsuit two weeks after Venu’s February announcement, arguing that the package violates antitrust laws and would cause irreparable harm to consumers “absent a preliminary injunction.” On Friday, a New York district judge ruled that Fubo would likely be able to prove those claims at trial. Unsurprisingly, Fox, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery said they plan to appeal, claiming that “Venu Sports is a pro-competitive option that aims to expand consumer choice by reaching a segment of viewers not currently served by existing subscription options.” As we previously reported, Venu promised its subscribers a dizzying amount of sports coverage through access to all ESPN channels, ESPN+, ABC, FOX, TNT, TBS and TruTV… as well as programs like 30 for 30 via the ESPN library. Venu was originally scheduled to launch this fall with a flat “introductory price” of $42.99 per month for a year, but the Associated Press is now reporting that the launch will likely be delayed until at least 2025.
According to Courthouse News, Fubo stated in its complaint that it had long wanted to launch a pure sports streaming service but had encountered difficulties because broadcasters allegedly demanded unreasonably high licensing fees and forced packages of entertainment channels that sports fans didn’t want. “Today’s ruling is not only a victory for Fubo, but also for consumers,” Fubo co-founder and CEO David Gandler said in a statement. “This decision will help ensure consumers have access to a more competitive marketplace with multiple sports streaming options.” Keep in mind, though, that a preliminary injunction is basically just a timeout. In other words, Friday’s decision is a temporary delay, not a permanent bar. A trial date for the antitrust lawsuit has yet to be set. So you still have some time to make up your mind, sports fans — are you Team Fubo or not?
