A small Kansas town is taking on Netflix and Hulu over lost franchise fees. Does it stand a chance in court?

TOPEKA, Kan. — On its surface, the notion that Fort Scott, Kansas, could stand up to Netflix and Hulu seems like a David and Goliath battle of the highest order.

On one hand, you have an 8,000-person town in the state's southeast corner, most famous for its U.S. Army garrison in the 19th century and its role in the Civil War during that timeframe. Facing them are a pair of giants in the media world, with the companies combining for almost $30 billion in profits in 2020.