A U.S. District Court judge on Friday issued a preliminary injunction blocking media giants Disney, Warner Bros., Discovery and Fox from launching their highly anticipated sports streaming services, called Venu.

The court issued the injunction following a lawsuit by Fubo TV, which claimed Venu posed anti-competitive threats that could harm its business. According to Speaking to CNBC, the decision came just weeks before the NFL season began: Venu, a joint venture between Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox, was announced in February and was scheduled to launch before the season.

Judge Margaret Garnett granted Fubo's request for a preliminary injunction against Venu, a new sports streaming service. Judge Garnett noted that the three companies have significant control over sports broadcasting rights in the United States, estimating that they own about 54% of all sports broadcasting rights in the United States and at least 60% of all nationally broadcast sports broadcasting rights. “Together, they have an overwhelming share,” Judge Garnett noted, according to CNBC.

A judge temporarily halted sports streaming service Venu and ruled in favor of Fubo TV over antitrust concerns. https://t.co/ZGyQJukdhM

— CNBC (@CNBC) August 16, 2024

Shares of internet-based television service FUBO TV rose 16% after the injunction was announced. “Today's ruling is a win not only for Fubo but also for consumers. This ruling will help ensure consumers have access to a more competitive marketplace with multiple sports streaming options,” Fubo CEO David Gandler said in a statement, CNBC reported. (Related: ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. combine to launch massive live sports streaming service)

In response, the companies involved with Venu appealed the court's decision. According to CNBC, Warner Bros. Discovery, Fox and Disney's ESPN said in a joint statement that they “respectfully disagree with the court's decision and will appeal.”