The United States Department of Justice is planning to thoroughly examine a new proposed mega sports app.



It was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/espn-fox-and-warnerbros-discovery-to-create-killer-sports-app-20240206-WST-488024.html">revealed</a> earlier this week that ESPN, FOX, and WarnerBros Discovery have plans to merge to create a single standalone sports streaming service. 



Although an official timeline is not set, the trio are likely to join forces later this year.



Assuming it does eventually happen, the proposed app would feature thousands of hours of live sports all in one place. This, of course, includes a plethora of soccer content from all over the world. FOX’s upcoming coverage of the FIFA 2026 World Cup would undoubtedly be a key inclusion of the planned app. 



Nevertheless, ESPN and TBS/TNT/Max (through WarnerBros Discovery) all have quality soccer lineups as well. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">LaLiga</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/bundesliga-tv-schedule/">Bundesliga</a>, and select <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> matches would also be available on the app. The merged streaming service is also set to become the home of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">UMSNT</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/uswnt-tv-schedule/">USWNT</a>, too. U.S. Soccer previously agreed an eight-year deal with WarnerBros Discovery’s Turner Sports.



<h2>U.S. government concerned over details of the proposed plan with ESPN, TNT and FOX</h2>



Nevertheless, the deal may not even come to fruition. According to a report by <a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/disney-fox-warner-streaming-deal-faces-doj-antitrust-review" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>, United States federal government officials may end up blocking the deal before it hits the market. The news outlet claims that the Department of Justice is worried that the super app may harm users, sports leagues, and even rival broadcasting companies.



An app holding 55% of all U.S. sports rights by cost would seemingly be more convenient to those searching for games to watch. However, several experts claim that the deal will likely eventually drive up costs for consumers. The collective streaming service would lower the number of options for leagues to sell their media rights as well.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240217_WST_490193_imago0279442257h-1200x800_0335b8c4.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" alt="" class="wp-image-490230" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/imago0279442257h-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/imago0279442257h-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/imago0279442257h-768x512.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/imago0279442257h-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/imago0279442257h-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>The 2026 World Cup will be a hugely significant sporting event in America, likely encompassing several media platforms</figcaption></figure>



The Department of Justice has a history of fighting against broadcasting bundles in the past. Viacom’s Showtime and The Movie Channel previously attempted to join forces way back in 1983. At the time, the companies were two of the three leading paid cable channels in the country. 



Government officials, however, threatened to sue the duo over the fine details in the deal. As a result, Showtime and The Movie Channel revised their plan to accommodate the Justice Department.



<h2>No final announcement regarding issue expected for months</h2>



The now 40-year-old fight over cable mergers is not exactly still a prime example on how to handle these deals. “We are skeptical that there is a clear antitrust case for blocking here,” <a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/disney-fox-warner-streaming-deal-faces-doj-antitrust-review" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a> New Street Research analyst Blair Levin in recent days. “Still, the reactions of those hurt by the deal may ultimately lead to a government reaction, particularly to ensure that local sports remain available for free.”



Government officials will almost certainly comb through all of the details regarding the potential ESPN, FOX, and WarnerBros Discovery merger. Any final decision on possibly blocking the move will likely not be official until later this year.



The trio, however, are not the only media companies that want to form a partnership. Peacock and Paramount+ are also <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/peacock-paramount-consider-merger-to-fight-espn-fox-tnt-20240216-WST-489939.html">reportedly</a> in negotiations regarding a merger as well. Once a deal is struck, the two apps would be under the same umbrella in the future.



Photo credits: IMAGO / Zoonar : IMAGO / Pond5 Images.

DOJ could block ESPN, FOX and TNT merged sports app

The United States Department of Justice is planning to examine a new mega sports app involving ESPN, FOX, & TNT

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-135582" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20110506_CMS_12537_portland-timbers-600x400_8b0db461.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=400" alt="portland-timbers" width="600" height="400" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/04/portland-timbers-600x400.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/04/portland-timbers-150x100.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/04/portland-timbers-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/04/portland-timbers.jpg 1380w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure>
Are you ready for some SOCCER? &nbsp;Tonight is the debut of Soccer Night in America, which this week means Friday. &nbsp;Portland and Philadelphia will kick off around 10:30 PM ET. &nbsp;That plus an 11 PM kickoff in the #LAvNY match means East Coast soccer fans will have a few late nights (as West Coast fans roll their eyes). &nbsp;If anyone has any good Twitter hash tags for tonight’s Fox Soccer unveiling, share them in the comments section below.
And now a roundup of the week’s news:
<ul>
<li>DC United legend Jaime Moreno has taken a position as head coach of the team’s U-23 squad. &nbsp;This team is the bridge between the youth team and the reserve team. &nbsp;Best of luck to Jamie!</li>
<li>MLS Soccer’s Jonah Freedman writes a <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/05/05/throw-why-mls-needs-ray-hudson-back" target="_blank" rel="noopener">compelling article</a> on the need for a return of Ray Hudson. &nbsp;A must read.</li>
<li>Hans Backe has said <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/soccer/news/story?id=6481426" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he will release </a>Dwayne De Rosario to play in this summer’s Gold Cup. &nbsp;Initially he had said he wouldn’t release the midfielder because DeRo had not indicated he wanted to play, but that had contradicted a report from Team Canada.</li>
<li>David Ferreira successfully had <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/05/05/ferreira.surgery.ap/index.html?eref=si_soccer&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fsi_soccer+%28SI.com+-+Soccer%29" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surgery</a> on his broken ankle, and the team is still not releasing a timetable for his return. &nbsp;Best wishes to him as he heals.</li>
<li>Thomas Rongen has been let go as head coach of the U.S. U-20 team. &nbsp;Last we saw them, the team was beaten by&nbsp;Guatemala&nbsp;and had lost their chance to advance to the U-20 World Cup. &nbsp;Tab Ramos will guide the team during their next tournament in France, but has not been given the title of interim coach.</li>
<li>Bren Latham over at <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/sports/soccer/blog?name=us_national_soccer&amp;id=6464737&amp;campaign=rss&amp;source=ESPNHeadlines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN </a>writes about the struggles of Gale Agbossoumonde to cement a spot on Bob Bradley’s team, as well as breaks down some of his soccer weaknesses. &nbsp;ESPN Insider status required.</li>
<li>And finally, for those who enjoy scandal and intrigue, Grant Wahl <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/grant_wahl/04/01/fifa.candidacy/index.html?eref=writers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">details</a> his failed attempt to run for the top job at FIFA. &nbsp;An excellent read.</li>
</ul>
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Week in Review May 2-6, 2011

Week in Review May 2-6, 2011 - World Soccer Talk

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DOJ could block ESPN, FOX and TNT merged sports app

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Week in Review May 2-6, 2011