Internet-TV supplier Fubo dropped all Warner Bros. Discovery networks from its lineup, alleging that the media firm was in search of “above-market rates” and refused to license Turner Sports networks individually.
In an announcement Tuesday, Fubo stated it tried to resume its Discovery content material settlement with WBD for networks together with Discovery, HGTV, Food Network and TLC. The streamer additionally was in search of to license Warner Bros. Discovery’s Turner Sports networks, TNT, TBS and truTV. But Fubo stated WBD wouldn’t negotiate in “good faith” and that as a Warner Bros. Discovery networks had been pulled from Fubo as of April 30 at 5 p.m. ET.
“Fubo offered Warner Brothers Discovery market rates for its content and, despite Fubo’s efforts to negotiate in good faith, Warner Brothers Discovery did not provide any counteroffer, and insisted on continuing to offer us above-market rates for its content,” the streaming supplier stated in an announcement. “Fubo views Warner Brothers Discovery’s refusal to engage in good faith negotiations as another example of its abuse of massive market power that ultimately limits consumer choice.”
“It is clear to us that Warner Bros. Discovery’s actions hurt consumer wallets and limit their choice,” Fubo stated.
Reps for Warner Bros. Discovery didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark
On July 1, 2020, Fubo dropped the legacy WarnerMedia suite of networks — TNT, TBS, CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, HLN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, truTV and Boomerang — after the businesses had been unable to achieve a renewal settlement.
According to Fubo, Warner Bros. Discovery “has also denied our customers the choice of subscribing to their Turner sports content separately from Discovery content through a more affordable skinny sports bundle. Yet Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that it plans to make this must-have content available in its forthcoming sports streaming joint venture with the Walt Disney Company and Fox Corp.”
In February, Fubo filed a federal lawsuit towards Disney, Fox and WBD over the trio’s plans to launch a sports activities streaming bundle, alleging it violates antitrust legal guidelines.
“Warner Bros. Discovery’s refusal to offer Fubo standard market terms and packaging flexibility are more examples of the unfair and anticompetitive practices it and other vertically integrated media companies have imposed on Fubo for many years,” Fubo’s assertion continued. “These practices, outlined in our recent antitrust lawsuit filed against the joint venture companies, aim to monopolize the market, stifle any form of competition, create higher pricing for subscribers and cheat consumers from deserved choice. Fubo is taking action against these unfair market terms to avoid passing on these extra costs to consumers.”