FuboTV Wins Preliminary Injunction Against Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox Joint Channel Venu Sport

FuboTV has had an initial win in its lawsuit against the Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery joint sports channel Venu Sports.

U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett ruled against the Venu Sports companies and granted a temporary injunction to stop Venu Sports from launching on its original date.

Judge Garnett said that Fubo would likely be able to win their argument that the new joint venture could “substantially lessen competition and restrain trade.” The new service could cause competitors like Fubo and customers to “face irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction.”

Fubo’s lawsuit argues that Venu Sports could harm and bankrupt competitors while giving the joint venture companies advantages. They also worry that the trio could continue to force competitors to pay for channels they don’t want to get access to the sports channels they do. Thus, causing competitors to raise subscribers’ prices even higher.

While competitors increase prices to get access, Warner, Disney, and Fox could potentially offer a better deal that could lead to a “swift exodus” of customers and bankrupt Fubo or other competitors.

Of course, Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery will appeal this.

They already gave a statement saying, “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 Sports was to launch sometime this fall at a $42.99 price point.

It’s unclear how that will change given this ruling.

What do you think? Comment and let us know!

Source: The Hollywood Reporter and ABC