Congressmen Jerry Nadler and Joaquin Castro are turning up the heat on Disney, Warner Bros Discovery, and Fox. They’re demanding answers about the proposed sports streaming service, with a deadline set by the end of the month.
Nadler and Castro express concerns about potential impacts on access, competition, and consumer choice in the sports streaming market. The request, also involving the Department of Justice, underscores the gravity of the situation.
The Democrats’ detailed list of questions delves into the specifics of the joint venture, aiming to shed light on its potential anticompetitive nature. Key inquiries include market impact, subscriber projections, pricing strategies, and measures to prevent collusion.
While dubbed “Spulu” by industry insiders, the venture faces legal challenges, with Fubo CEO David Gandler labeling it a “cartel” engaged in “borderline racketeering.” The absence of Paramount Global and NBCUniversal raises questions about the service’s scale and competitiveness.
Expected to blend 14 linear network feeds, the service promises pre-licensed NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB coverage. However, without original streaming content and lacking participation from major players like Paramount and NBCUniversal, its success remains uncertain.
As Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and AppleTV+ venture into live sports, the streaming landscape is evolving rapidly. With the pressure mounting, it’s game on for Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros Discovery CEOs to address these critical concerns.
