Venu Sports Suffers Another Setback
Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox have faced yet another setback in their endeavor to launch Venu Sports.
As a quick recap, Venu Sports was originally announced last February as a joint venture that would combine the biggest sports networks into one streaming service.
Photo: Disney
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.
Fubo Quickly Sued the Partners
Shortly after the new streaming service was announced, Fubo filed an antitrust lawsuit, alleging that the new streamer would essentially create a monopoly and that the three joint venture partners would have an unfair advantage in the marketplace.
Photo: Fubo
In a stunning ruling, U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett sided with Fubo and granted a temporary injunction, blocking the streaming service’s launch.
While the joint venture partners quickly filed an appeal, the injunction put Venu Sports’s future in doubt. With ESPN Flagship set to launch next year and Warner Bros. Discovery losing its NBA rights, it would have been understandable if the partners had scrapped the JV.
Walt Disney Company
So far, however, the partners have persisted.
Another Setback
Yesterday, Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. were dealt another setback when Judge Garnett rejected their motion to dismiss the case.
In a two-hour hearing, the judge sided with Fubo, and the case will proceed.
Photo: cba.cj
If a settlement in the suit is not reached, a jury trial could start as early as October. The joint venture partners have previously asked for an expedited process, as the launch of Venu Sports is time-sensitive.
Venu
While it remains to be seen how hard Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery fight for Venu, so far, they have shown no willingness to back down.
