Dish and DirecTV Back Fubo in Sports-Centric Antitrust Dispute

DirecTV’s Chief Content Officer, Rob Thun, has thrown his weight behind Fubo in their efforts to stop the sports streaming joint venture of Fox, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Thun’s statement of support highlights concerns over the potential monopolization of sports content distribution and consumer choice.

Thun’s affidavit, filed on Monday and shared with TheWrap, voiced DirecTV’s apprehension about the impact of the joint venture on competition, particularly regarding the restriction imposed on DirecTV and other distributors. He emphasized that the joint venture’s demands for bundling channels could stifle competition and limit consumer options.

Similarly, Dish Network’s Vice President of Video Services, Gary Schanman, reportedly provided a written declaration in support of Fubo, albeit sealed by a federal court upon Fubo’s request. While the details remain undisclosed, it is suggested that Schanman’s declaration contains vital information regarding Dish’s programming deals with Fox and Disney, further highlighting concerns over anticompetitive practices.

These statements align with Fubo’s motion for a preliminary injunction filed on Monday, indicating a unified front against what they perceive as anticompetitive behavior by the industry giants. A Fubo spokesperson emphasized that DirecTV and Dish’s declarations underscore a broader issue of anticompetitive practices harming consumers, not limited to Fubo alone. The spokesperson also expressed optimism about the ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice into the joint venture.

Source: The Wrap