$50M Disney Settlement Deadline Arrives
The Walt Disney Company has agreed to settle a federal class action complaint filed in 2022 for $50 million. The deadline to file a claim is Tuesday, Sept. 8, and those who subscribed to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2026, are eligible.
The lawsuit alleged that Disney's control over popular channels and programming gave the company outsized influence over the live TV streaming market. The complaint claimed that Disney's agreements with streamers to carry their channels required the providers to include ESPN in their base packages, limiting competitors' ability to offer lower-cost alternatives and contributing to higher prices for consumers.
Disney has denied the allegations and agreed to settle the case without admitting liability or wrongdoing. Eligible individuals can submit claims online or by mail. The amount a claimant will receive from the settlement has not been determined as of Sept. 8, but payments would be distributed after a final approval hearing scheduled for Jan. 14, 2027.
The proposed settlement requires final court approval and allows eligible consumers to submit a claim for a portion of the fund. To file a claim by mail, individuals must fill out a claim form and mail it to: Biddle v. Disney, Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 4720, Portland, OR 97208-4720.