Newsmax Files US Antitrust Suit Against Fox News for Market Monopoly

Newsmax Broadcasting has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Fox Corporation and Fox News, accusing the network of operating an exclusionary scheme to dominate the U.S. right-leaning pay TV news market and suppress competition from other conservative outlets like Newsmax. The suit alleges Fox uses its popular channel to coerce distributors into not carrying or marginalizing competitors by imposing financial penalties and restrictive contractual provisions, such as requiring distributors to pick up less popular Fox channels if they carry Newsmax. Newsmax claims this behavior has stunted its growth on important platforms like Hulu, Sling, and Fubo, resulting in significant financial damages, including lost advertising revenue and lower license fees. Fox News has responded by dismissing the lawsuit as an attempt by Newsmax to cover for its own failures to attract viewers. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within conservative media, especially following shifts in audience loyalty after the 2020 presidential election and Fox's legal battles over election-related defamation claims. Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy has stated that Fox's alleged exclusionary tactics and intimidation are over, signaling a legal challenge to Fox's market dominance.