NEWS: Disney’s New Streaming Service Might Violate Federal Law

We recently got a TON of announcements from The Walt Disney Company.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

During the company’s Q1 2024 earnings call, we learned how Disney Parks (and other experiences) were doing financially. We also learned how Disney’s streaming services were doing, including learning that Disney+ recently lost subscribers. Just before the earnings call, Disney announced a huge sports streaming partnership between ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery to create a NEW mega sports streaming service. However, there’s a chance that partnership may not be allowed to happen.

The general idea for the new streaming service was to bring three companies together to create a joint streaming platform for sports content. The new sports subscription service would be available to ESPN+, Hulu, and Max subscribers, with each company owning one-third of the product.

©ESPN

However, ACA Connects, a group representing around 500 small and medium cable providers, recently called for the U.S. Department of Justice to review the deal. The cable group believes that the partnership creates an “anticompetitive sports streaming juggernaut.” As a result, the U.S. Department of Justice now has plans to examine the new streaming platform, according to Reuters.

ESPN feature at CES 2024

Disney has already announced that the new streaming service is expected to launch in the fall and will offer a variety of professional and college sports coverage. Subscribers will have the option to subscribe directly or bundle the service with their existing Disney+, Hulu, and Max subscriptions.

©Disney

ACA Connects has cited that “allowing the biggest media players to join forces while locking out traditional linear cable providers from offering the same package at the same price — only gives more power and leverage to the Goliaths to extract more money from customers of ACA Connects Members.”

The Justice Department will reportedly scrutinize all details of Disney’s sports streaming service when the deal is finalized, per Reuters.

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

Disney Has “Never Been More Confident” About 2024 Streaming Profitability Despite Reported LOSS in Subscribers

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

What do you think? Should Disney’s streaming service be allowed or not? Share your thoughts in the comments!