Judge Blocks Venu Sports Launch Over Antitrust

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the launch of the Venu Sports streaming service, a joint venture by Disney's ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox, due to antitrust concerns raised by rival FuboTV. FuboTV argued that the media giants were using their dominance to stifle competition and force bundling of unwanted channels, which hurt both FuboTV and consumers. Judge Margaret Garnett ruled that Venu Sports would likely lessen competition and create near-monopolistic control over live sports broadcasting. The blocked service, priced at $42.99 per month, was set to launch in the fall. The injunction is seen as a victory for FuboTV and consumers, ensuring a more competitive marketplace. The media companies behind Venu Sports have announced plans to appeal the decision.