Disney agreed to pay $50 million to subscribers of YouTube TV, AT&T TV Now and DirecTV’s live TV for "forcing" ...
Disney settled a class-action lawsuit by paying $50 million to subscribers of YouTube TV and similar services, admitting no wrongdoing but agreeing to offer more flexible channel bundles.Summary
The Walt Disney Company agreed to pay $50 million to settle a class-action antitrust lawsuit alleging it used market leverage to inflate prices for live TV streaming services by forcing bundling of its premium sports network, ESPN. The settlement, approved by a federal judge, benefits subscribers of YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, and AT&T TV Now who had subscriptions between April 2019 and March 2026. Disney admitted no wrongdoing but committed to offering skinnier channel bundles without ESPN in future negotiations. Eligible subscribers in 40 states can claim compensation by submitting forms by September 8, 2026, with payouts based on subscription duration and claim volume. The case resolved without a trial, highlighting Disney's influence in the streaming TV market.
(Source：Times of India)