Final court decision or settlement announcement

DOJ, Judge Garnett Back Block on Venu Sports Streaming, Including Disney ESPN Content

Nov 27, 2024, 10:11 PM

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and 16 state attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, have filed amicus briefs supporting a court decision to temporarily block the launch of Venu Sports, a live sports streaming platform. The injunction was issued as part of an antitrust lawsuit brought forward by Fubo, a competing streaming service. Judge Garnett's opinion enjoining Venu Sports has been criticized for lacking sound legal reasoning, with some experts noting it failed to address the concept of 'antitrust injury,' a critical requirement in private lawsuits. Venu Sports aimed to provide sports content from major networks, including Disney's ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The DOJ's support for the injunction has sparked debate over its implications for competition and consumer access to low-priced streaming services.