Newsmax Broadcasting, LLC, a subsidiary of Newsmax Media, has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Fox Corporation and Fox News Network, LLC, accusing the media giant of illegally suppressing competition in the conservative-leaning TV news market.
The Lawsuit
The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, is led by antitrust attorneys from Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C.
Newsmax is seeking damages under:
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Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act
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The Florida Antitrust Act
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The Florida Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices Act
The complaint alleges Fox News engaged in an “extensive and unlawful campaign” to stifle competition from conservative alternatives, including Newsmax.
Allegations Against Fox
According to the filing, Fox abused its market dominance by:
Coercing distributors into unfair carriage agreements that exclude or marginalize competitors.
Running intimidation campaigns against guests to discourage them from appearing on Newsmax.
Conducting an alleged “online smear campaign” and even hiring private investigators to damage Newsmax’s credibility.
Blocking access to key streaming platforms such as Hulu, Sling, and Fubo.
Newsmax argues Fox leveraged its “must-have” channel status to harm consumers by limiting choice, suppressing competition, and driving up costs across the pay-TV ecosystem.
Internal Fox Communications Cited
The lawsuit cites internal communications highlighting Fox’s concern about Newsmax as a competitor.
Former Fox host Tucker Carlson allegedly wrote that “an alternative like Newsmax could be devastating to us.”
Fox Chairman Rupert Murdoch reportedly instructed Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott that Newsmax “should be watched” after positive press coverage about the network.
“Fox’s behavior represents a textbook abuse of monopoly power,” the complaint states.
Newsmax’s Position
Michael J. Guzman, lead counsel for Newsmax, said Fox’s practices amounted to illegal coercion:
“The law is clear: competition, not coercion, should decide what news channels Americans can watch. By leveraging its must-have status, Fox has blocked new voices, suppressed consumer choice, and extracted excess profits.”
Fox News Responds
In a statement to Variety, Fox News dismissed the lawsuit as meritless:
“Newsmax cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers,” a spokesperson said.
