$50M Disney Settlement Deadline Arrives
The Walt Disney Company has agreed to settle a federal class action complaint for $50 million. The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed by YouTube TV subscribers in 2022, who alleged that Disney's control over popular channels and programming gave the company outsized influence over the live TV streaming market.
Disney's agreements with streamers required them to include ESPN in their base packages, giving Disney significant leverage over streaming bundle prices. The lawsuit claimed this led to higher prices for consumers and limited competitors' ability to offer lower-cost alternatives.
The settlement requires final court approval and allows eligible consumers to submit a claim for a portion of the fund if they paid for YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2026. Claimants can submit their claims online or by mail, with payments distributed after a final approval hearing on January 14, 2027.