Venu Sports Files an Appeal Requesting Permission to Launch as Planned
While Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery suffered a major setback when U.S. District Court Judge Margaret Garnett blocked the launch of Venu Sports, the companies are not giving up.
As a quick recap, Venu Sports was originally announced in February as a joint venture that would bring together the biggest sports stations in an all-new streaming app.
Photo: Venu
The streamer was set to include Disney-owned ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, and the ABC broadcast network. Warner Bros. Discovery, meanwhile, will contribute to TNT, TBS, and TruTV, while Fox will pitch in FS1, FS2, and the Big Ten Network.
The Streamers Launch Was Blocked by a Temporary Injunction
Just days after the streamer was announced, however, Fubo filed an antitrust lawsuit. In a shocking development, U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett granted a temporary injunction, blocking the launch of the streaming service.
With a trial date set for October 6, 2025, the streamer’s future seemed in jeopardy.
Photo: Fubo
As it turns out, however, Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. are not backing down.
Venu Fires back
Last Friday, Venu Sports filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, requesting permission to resume its plans to launch this fall.
Photo: Disney
In their filing, Venu argues that by offering a sports-centric streaming service for just $43 a month, the streamer would “increase output and lower prices.”
“Fubo (a competitor) might not like that, but consumers would,” the brief says (via Deadline).
Peter Distad will oversee the new joint venture. Photo: Variety
Judge Garnett’s ruling, they continued, “denies consumers a new, lower-cost, innovative product—so as to protect Fubo from increased competition. That is the opposite of what the antitrust laws seek to achieve.”
How Long Will the Companies Remain Interested?
While it remains to be seen how the case plays out, it seems unlikely that Venu Sports will launch anytime soon. Fubo has until November 4 to file its response to Venu’s appellate brief, meaning even the appeal will likely take months to resolve.
ESPN
With ESPN Flagship set to launch next year and Warner’s TNT set to lose its NBA rights, it remains to be seen how long the joint venture partners are willing to fight for Venu Sports. For now, at least, plans for the streaming service’s launch are plowing ahead.
