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



<p>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. </p>



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>Nevertheless, the deal may not even come to fruition. According to a report by <em><a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/disney-fox-warner-streaming-deal-faces-doj-antitrust-review" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a></em>, 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/16045259/imago0279442257h-1200x800-1200x800.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-490230" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>The 2026 World Cup will be a hugely significant sporting event in America, likely encompassing several media platforms</figcaption></figure>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.”</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>Photo credits: IMAGO / Zoonar : IMAGO / Pond5 Images.</p>


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

<p>TNT and other Turner channels fell off the fuboTV lineup back in the summer of 2020. Now, it appears over seven channels are returning to fuboTV’s lineup, according to <a href="https://thedesk.net/2023/01/fubo-tv-bringing-back-cnn-tbs-tnt-turner-owned-channels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matthew Keys from <em>The Desk</em></a>. </p>



<p>Those channels, which include TNT, TBS, TruTV, CNN and more are part of a new agreement between fuboTV and Warner Bros. Discovery. The report says that those channels are coming back to fuboTV’s lineup as soon as Jan. 16. </p>



<p>According to a fuboTV spokeswoman, she said, “we have no current plans to launch any new networks from Warner Bros Discovery.”</p>



<p>For soccer fans, the deal comes at the perfect time. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/us-soccer-announce-new-tv-deal-turner-sports-20220301-CMS-373327.html">US Soccer begins its deal</a> with Warner Bros. Discovery this year. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/us-soccer-national-team-to-make-hbo-max-debut-in-january-20221202-WST-410783.html">first game of that new deal</a> for TNT is on Jan. 28 when the USMNT plays Colombia. If this report stands true and those channels come back, fuboTV subscribers will have access to the game.</p>


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<p>However, there is some stipulation with fuboTV getting these channels back.</p>



<h5>fuboTV price rises again</h5>



<p>Although unrelated to the fuboTV deal to get TNT and other Turner channels, the price of the service is going up. Instead, this price hike is in relation to Bally Sports regional sports networks. </p>



<p>Now, fuboTV has a base price plan of $74.99 per month. Then, there is an elite plan for $84.99 and a premier plan for $94.99. These are all $5 increases from what the prices were entering 2023. </p>



<p>The uptick in price starts in the February billing cycle.</p>



<h2>TNT and Turner channels back on fuboTV</h2>



<p>As stated, the US Soccer move to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/usmnt-and-uswnt-commentators-for-tnt-and-hbo-max-20230110-WST-415003.html">Turner channels and HBO Max</a> means friendlies are now commonplace on TNT and related channels. This deal arrives just in time for fuboTV subscribers to watch the USMNT or USWNT on these channels.</p>



<p>Of course, these channels provide much more than just the USMNT or USWNT. TNT regularly broadcasts both the NHL and NBA. Also, TNT, TBS and TruTV have entertaining shows airing almost daily.</p>



<p>The addition of Turner’s channels also brings CNN, Cartoon Network and other channels, providing content for the entire family.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto</em></p>


TNT and Turner channels returning to fuboTV, report says

TNT and other Turner channels are making a long-awaited return to fuboTV just in time for the US Soccer deal with Warner Bros. Discovery.

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DOJ could block ESPN, FOX and TNT merged sports app

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TNT and Turner channels returning to fuboTV, report says