Right-wing cable channel Newsmax is suing Fox News, alleging the network has illegally cornered the market on viewership among conservatives.
In a lawsuit filed in Florida on Wednesday, Newsmax attorneys argue Fox has “long engaged in an exclusionary scheme to increase and maintain its dominance in the market for U.S. right-leaning pay TV news, resulting in suppression of competition in that market that harms consumers, competition, and Newsmax.”
“Fox leverages this market power to coerce distributors into not carrying or into marginalizing other right-leaning news channels, including Newsmax,” the lawsuit reads.
In a statement to The Hill, a Fox News spokesperson pushed back on the suit, saying Newsmax “cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers.”
Fox has long ranked as the top-watched cable news channel, featuring a long list of hosts and pundits who espouse staunchly conservative and pro-Trump viewpoints.
As part of its suit, Newsmax is alleging Fox in the process has “deliberately blocked Newsmax’s growth in critical distribution platforms such as Hulu, Sling, Fubo, and other major platforms.”
“Fox may have profited from exclusionary contracts and intimidation tactics for years, but those days are over,” Christopher Ruddy, Newsmax CEO, said.
Fox Corp. recently inked a long-term agreement with YouTube TV to carry the company’s various channels, including Fox News, Fox Sports, the Big 10 Network and other offerings, a deal seen widely as a significant move into a postcable future for the Rupert Murdoch-owned broadcaster.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
