Newsmax Files Antitrust Suit Against Fox News for Market Exclusion

Newsmax has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Fox News and its parent company, alleging that Fox engaged in exclusionary and anti-competitive practices to maintain its dominance in the right-leaning pay TV news market. The lawsuit claims Fox coerced distributors into not carrying or marginalizing Newsmax and other competitors by imposing higher prices or threatening punitive measures, including alleged smear campaigns against Newsmax executives. Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy asserts the suit aims to restore fairness and provide consumers with real choice in news options. Fox News denies the allegations, characterizing the lawsuit as an attempt by Newsmax to deflect from its own failures to attract viewers. The legal action follows both companies' recent settlements over defamation claims related to the 2020 presidential election and highlights ongoing tensions in conservative media competition. Newsmax seeks monetary damages and a court order to stop Fox's alleged exclusionary contracts, which it says have delayed Newsmax’s growth and harmed both competition and consumers.