From Newsgroup: rec.arts.disney.parks

Federal Judge Edward Davila of the U.S. District Court in San Jose,
California has allowed an antitrust lawsuit against Disney related to its streaming services to proceed.

YouTube TV subscribers said DisneyAs obusiness deals with competitors have inflated the amount consumers pay for streaming live TV services,o
according to Deadline.

oThe suit said that because Disney requires streamers, including YouTube
TV and Sling TV, to include ESPN in base packages, they are paying more
for their subscriptions than they should.o

oThey also alleged antitrust violation on the grounds that DisneyAs
control of content and distribution, including operating control of Hulu
and its Hulu + Live TV, presented a barrier to entry into the market,o it added.

oThe Court agrees with Disney that, to the extent Plaintiffs rely on allegations of reduced consumer choice and increased subscription prices, these allegations are insufficient to allege an injury to competition,o he said.

oPlaintiffs also allege that, in addition to increased prices, the infrastructure and agreements have produced barriers to entry.o

oDetailed allegations of barriers to entry are sufficient to allege anticompetitive harm.o the court said.

The judge said DisneyAs conduct has prevented oentry by potential rival because a new entrant would need to contract with Disney in order to
obtain several notable channels.o

oFor the foregoing reasons, DefendantAs motion to dismiss for failure to
state a claim is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART with leave to amend,o
the court said.

According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), onot only could DisneyAs stewardship of the companies have reduced consumer choice and increased subscription prices, U.S. District Judge Edward Davila concluded that
Disney may have enough control over the live-streaming pay TV market to
impair competition.o

oHe pointed to its ability to aprevent or retard entryA of competitors by amandating onerous terms or by outright refusing to license live
television content,Ao it added.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/more-bad-news-for-extreme-left- disney/ar-AA1hL0J7
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