What Are Antitrust Laws, and could Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox be guilty of violating them with their joint sports streaming service?

*To look up unfamiliar terms, check out our Hollywood Glossary.

By Natalie Lifson, Agent Trainee at Buchwald and your co-Editor-in-Chief at THA

In August, Fubo brought an antitrust lawsuit against Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox for their upcoming massive sports streaming service, Venu, which was set to launch this fall. The trial begins this week.

Antitrust laws are federal “competition laws” that prevent businesses from working together to create a monopoly, and protect consumers from predatory business practices that could be caused by monopolies. 

Basically, Fubo is accusing Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox of forming a monopoly by working together to create Venu, which would harm both Fubo and consumers. 

Timeline:

• August 6: Disney, Fox & Fubo Lawyers Clash In NY Court As Venu Sports Antitrust Lawsuit Goes Before Judge -Deadline, 8/6

• August 16: 

  • Fubo alleges that the vertically-integrated media companies have engaged in a years-long campaign to block Fubo’s sports-first streaming business resulting in significant harm to both Fubo and consumers. -Cynopsis

  • Judge temporarily blocks sports streaming service Venu, siding with Fubo on antitrust concerns. The joint venture was created by Warner Bros. Discovery, Fox and Disney’s ESPN. -CNBC

  • Disney, Fox and WBD responded in a joint statement: “We respectfully disagree with the court’s ruling and are appealing it. 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.” -Newsweek

• August 26: Judge In Fubo Lawsuit Against Disney, Fox And Warner Bros Discovery Eyes February Start To Jury Trial -Deadline

• September 11: Venu, the sports streaming service planned by Disney’s ESPN, Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery, is not intended as a competitor to cable, according to Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch. -Cynopsis

• September 12: A jury trial of Fubo‘s antitrust lawsuit against Disney, Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery will start October 6, 2025, a federal judge ruled Thursday. -Deadline

• October 6: Trial begins.

Stay tuned for more information as the trial continues!